The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Pilgrim Notes
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Pilgrim Notes: If you know these pilgrims, then you will be fine on the test. These descriptions can also be used for your notecards.
The Pilgrims Knight • Fought in various battles and the list Squire Yeoman • Son of the Knight • Knight’s servant • Curly hair, short tunic with long, wide sleeves • Coat and hood of green • Wears St. Christopher medal • Knows woodcraft • Chivalrous, honorable, humble • Chaucer seems to like and respect him • “as fresh as is the month of May” • Dressed humbly, just from his last battle • Woos his lovers at night • Carries hunting horn • Knows how to read, write, joust, dance, draw • A proper forester, bow and arrows, and knives • courteous • Going on pilgrimage to render thanks
The Pilgrims Prioress • Madam Eglantyne • Nasal voice, sings prettily • Fakes being nice to people, excessive sorrow and showy weeping • Likes and cares for animals more than people • • Monk Friar • Doesn’t like the rules placed on him by the order • Knows the names of everyone in his parish, especially the ladies • Loves to hunt • Knows the taverns well • Manly man • • Has Greyhounds Did not spend time with lepers and beggars • Bald head • Gave a good rate for confessions Wears golden brooch that says “Love conquers all” • Fat, personable, prominent eyes, tan skin • Kept hair pins and pocket knives • Name is Hubert 1 nun and 3 priests travel with her • Liked to eat roasted fat swan best • Twinkling eyes, smooth talker
The Pilgrims Merchant • Forking beard • Motley dress, shoes with buckle, beaver hat • No one knows his real name • In bad debt, but dresses nice Oxford Clerk • • Student, wants to keep going to school forever Spends all of his money on books when he should buy food and clothing • Clothes are thin, horse is thin • Only says what is necessary • “Gladly would he learn, and gladly teach” Lawyer • He is great at appearing busy • Appointed by king to specialize in property disputes • Knows the law inside and out • Wears a homely parti-coloured coat with a silk belt
The Pilgrims Franklin • Epicurian and hedonistic • Loves his cake and wine • His house is always open for people to visit • Snows meat and drink at his house • White beard, red face, jolly • Carries a dagger and silk purse Guildsmen • Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, and Carpet-maker • Gear is trim and fresh like new • Their wives benefit from their work • Group of artisans, described together Cook • Chicken stew is his forte • Can distinguish London ale by flavor • Has an ulcer on his knee
The Pilgrims Skipper • Woollen gown that reaches his knee, tan skin Doctor • Knowledgeable about medicine and surgery, but spends more time studying astronomy • Somewhat deaf • Cloth maker, kerchiefs Knows EVERYTHING about the planets • Scarlet red horse • Soft, new shoes; pretty face • 5 husbands, all have died • Gap between front teeth, broad hat on her head, large hips, spurs on her heels • Knows all about love and its matters • Dagger hanging from his neck makes some people uneasy • Excellent fellow, but would take some wine for himself from the hauls he transported • Has a deal going behind the scenes with the apothecaries • Made enemies walk the plank • Eats nutritious food • Went through many tempests on his barge The Maudelayne • Does not read the Bible much • Blood-red garments with bluegrey sash, loves gold • Wife-of-Bath
The Pilgrims Parson • Holy-minded, poor in material possessions, but rich in holy thoughts and works • Brother is the Plowman • Thinks priests should have the faith of gold (the highest faith) • Practices what he preaches Plowman Miller • Brother is the Parson • Large man (brawny), red beard • Epitome of a good and faithful worker • • Loves God with his heart and mind Hair on the wart at the end of his nose is a physical indicator of his beastly nature • Steals corn • Loves his neighbor as himself • Tells filthy stories • Paid his tithes fully • Wears blue hood and white coat • Wears a tabard smock and rides a mare • Plays bagpipes
The Pilgrims Manciple • Careful buying and purchasing agent for lawyers • Illiterate • manipulates sales for himself Reeve • Old, grumpy, and thin • Beard shaved close to skin • Manager of a large estate • Good at his job, but the people are afraid of him because he’s tough and mean • Summoner • Red face, acne and pus-filled sores on his face, thin beard • Children are afraid of him • Loves garlic, onions, and leeks • Speaks in Latin when drunk, but only knows a few phrases First-rate carpenter • Wears garland on his head • Dapple-grey horse named Scot • • Bluish overcoat, rusty knife Summons people to ecclesiastic court unless they pay him off • Rides in last place
The Pilgrims Pardoner • • Sells fake holy relics to unsuspecting people Works with the Summoner; they are special friends • Has a high singing voice • Straight yellow hair that hangs, smooth face, little cap on head • Bulging eyeballs Host Pilgrimage Notes • Welcoming • Begins in April • Bright eyes, a little heavy-set, merry-hearted • To see shrine of Thomas a Beckett in Canterbury • Personable, likes fun, proposes the story-telling game • Meet at The Tabard • Says he will lead the pilgrims to Canterbury • Story telling game • Knight draws straw to tell first tell, which is fitting since he is the highest ranked pilgrim
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