The Canterbury Tales The General Prologue The Knight

The Canterbury Tales “The General Prologue”

The Knight Social Group: Feudal

The Knight l l l Physical Appearance Perfect, Gentle Knight Generous, Honorable, Truthful Fought in many battles all around the world. Wise, but modest.

The Knight l l Has come directly from battle to go on the pilgrimage. Fine horses Christian Wise

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Knight? • The Knight, seems to be an idealized portrait—he embodies everything a person who devotes himself to God/country should be. • Only positive representative of the Feudal class.

The Squire Social Group: Feudal Note that The Squire is The Knight’s son

The Squire l Physical Appearance – – Curly hair (as if it had been “pressed”) (83) 20 years old (84) “of a moderate length” (85) agile, strong (86)

The Squire (continued) l Manner of Dress – – Shirt “embroidered like a meadow bright / And full of freshest flowers, red and white” (91 -92) Short gown, sleeves long and wide (94)

The Squire (continued) l Personal Qualities: – – – “A lover and cadet, a lad of fire” (82) “He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale / He slept as little as a nightingale” (99 -100) Courteous, lowly, serviceable (101) Conceited—overly concerned with his appearance (I) Motivated to fight “in hope to win his lady’s grace”

The Squire (continued) l Skills/Talents – – Had limited battle experience (places mentioned fairly close to England) (87 -88) Sang and fluted “all the day” (93) “knew the way to sit a horse and ride” (96) “could make songs and poems and recite” (98)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Squire? l l First pilgrim sketch that involves satire Squire overly concerned with his dress and appearance—seems to be vain (compare his dress with The Knight’s) Values also misplaced—fights not for God and King (like the Knight) but to impress the girls Why might you “excuse” these qualities in The Squire?

The Yeoman Social Group: Feudal Note that The Yeoman is the Knight’s servant and part of his entourage (along with The Squire)

The Yeoman l Physical Appearance – – “His head was like a nut” (111) “Face was brown” (111) Why?

The Yeoman (continued) l Manner of Dress – – – – Wore a coat and hood of green (105) Peacock-feathered arrows hung at his belt (106 -107) Carried “a mighty bow” (110) Wore a brace on his arm (113) A shield and sword hung at one side (114 -115) Carried a dirk (116) Wore a St. Christopher medal (117) A hunting horn hung from his bright green baldrick (119 -120)

The Yeoman (continued) l Personal Qualities – l Very neat (106 -107, 109) Skills/Talents – – “Knew the whole of woodcraft” (112) “was a proper forester” (121)

How do you think Chaucer intended the reader to feel about The Yeoman? l l One of the lesser important pilgrims Overall portrait is positive Very good at what he does—an excellent woodsman Sounds very much like the popular conception of “Robin Hood”

The Nun (a. k. a. The Prioress) Social Group: Clergy The Nun is head of a priory—she would be in charge of both nuns and monks Her entourage consists of another nun and three priests, though none is given a portrait by Chaucer Nun’s name is “Madame Eglantyne”

Nuns and Monks l l l Several orders of both in medieval England Most lived “cloistered” lives—lived and worked in convent (nuns) or monastery (monks)—some were not permitted to leave except on rare occasions Took “Vows” – – – Poverty (could not own any personal property— everything was owned by the order collectively Chastity (no sex whatsoever) Obedience (must obey rules of order as well as do whatever your superiors tell you to do—without question)

The Nun l Physical Appearance – – Elegant nose, glass-gray eyes (156) Very small mouth—soft and red (157) Very high forehead—fashionable and considered a sign of beauty in 14 th Century (158 -159) “She was indeed by no means undergrown”— polite way of saying she was full-figured (160)

The Nun (continued) l Manner of Dress – – – Veil gathered in “a seemly way” (155) Cloak had “a graceful charm” (161) Wore a coral trinket on her arm (162) Rosary “tricked in green”—suggests the beads are jewels (163) Wore a gold brooch with an engraved “A” under which was written “Amor vincit omnia” —”Love Conquers All” (164 -166)

The Nun (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – Simple, coy smile (123) Didn’t curse—greatest oath was “By St. Loy!” (124) Entertaining, pleasant, friendly (141 -142) Dignified (145) Sympathetic, tender, charitable (146 -147) Loved animals—kept dogs as pets (148 -154)

The Nun (continued) l Skills/Talents – – – Sang well, although nasal (126 -127) Spoke French, but such as a lady would learn at school (128 -130) Exquisite table manners (131 -140)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Nun? l l l Described in flattering terms overall—especially her physical features (Some speculate that Chaucer had a crush on the real Madame Eglantyne!) Not a bad woman—but what kind of nun is she? Remember the vows of poverty and obedience— and as a prioress is in charge of other nuns—she should be a role model First of satirical portraits mocking corruption in the 14 th Century Church—not all seemed to have a deep religious “calling”

The Monk Social Group: Clergy The Monk is an Abbot —he is in charge of his abbey Like the Nun—he would have taken vows of povery, chastity, and obedience

The Monk l Physical Appearance – – – Bald, shiny head (202) Shiny face (203) Fat (204) Prominent eyeballs—”never seemed to settle” (205) Not pale (209)

The Monk (continued) l Manner of Dress – Sleeves garnished with “fine gray fur” (197 -198) – Had a gold pin on his hood—”into a lover’s knot it seemed to pass” (200201) – Supple boots (207)

The Monk (continued) l Personal Qualities – “A manly man” (171) – Ignored the rules that he didn’t like (177 -186) – Spared no expense for hunting (196) – Personable (204) – “Liked a fat swan best, and roasted whole” (210)

The Monk (continued) l Skills/Talents – “Hunting was his sport” (170) – Had many horses (172) and greyhounds (194) – A good horseman (193)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Monk? l l l The narrator says he is “one of the finest sort” (169) and agrees with his views about not following the rules of his order with which he doesn’t agree (187 -192) But Chaucer wants you to remember his vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience Like The Nun, he is in charge of other monks and should be setting an example for them Not a bad man, but not a good monk Another example of Chaucer satirizing the medieval Church—there must have been many monks like this one

Question: If they weren’t interested in obeying the rules they were expected to follow, why would The Nun and The Monk (and others like them) have joined the clergy in the first place?

The Friar Social Group: Clergy Like nuns and monks, friars took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. However, they did not live cloistered lives but were expected to preach and beg money from people to be used for charity The Friar’s name is Hubert

The Friar l Physical Appearance – Gay, sturdy voice (239) – Strong, white neck (242 -243) – “lisped a little” (274) – “His eyes would twinkle in his head” (277) l Manner of Dress – Kept his tippet stuffed with pins and pocketknives to give to pretty girls (237 -238) – Wore a double-worsted semi-cope (270)

The Friar (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – Wanton, merry, festive, mellow (212 -214) “highly beloved and intimate / With County folk… / And city dames” (219 -221) Gave easy penance when he heard Confession if he was given money or gifts in exchange (222 -236) Seduced and impregnated unmarried girls and then arranged marriages for them to unsuspecting husbands (216 -217) Hung out in taverns during the day so he could beg money from wealthy people (244 -252)

The Friar (continued) l Skills/Talents – “Glib with gallant phrase and well-turned speech” (215) – Good singer, played the hurdy-gurdy (240) – “the finest beggar of his batch” (256) – Charming—could get a poor widow to give him her last farthing (259263) Hurdy-gurdy

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Friar? l l l Character sketch is loaded with irony: Narrator says “He was a noble pillar to his Order” (218); “For in so eminent a man as he / It was not fitting with the dignity / Of his position, dealing with a scum / Of wretched lepers” (247 -250) Narrator also praises his begging skills for being able to get the last farthing from a poor widow to whom he should be giving money Good example of how Chaucer the poet uses Chaucer the narrator for satire—the reader needs to consider the whole portrait and “read between the lines”

Question: l In what ways is The Friar worse than The Nun or The Monk— earlier targets of Chaucer’s criticism regarding corruption in the Church?

The Merchant Social Group: City

The Merchant l Physical Appearance – l Forking beard (280) Manner of Dress – – – “motley dress” (281) Motley was expensive—a sign of The Merchant’s wealth Wore a Flemish beaver hat (282) also expensive Daintily buckled boots (283)

The Merchant (continued) l Personal Qualities – – Opinionated—always talked about business (284 -287) Estimable (289) “An excellent fellow” (293) In debt—but careful not to let anyone know (290)

The Merchant l Skills/Talents – – “Expert at dabbling in exchanges” (288) “So stately in administration, / In loans and bargains and negotiation” (291 -292)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Merchant? l l First of the “City” group—most of whom have a “dirty little secret” or “live by their wits” Merchant is deep in debt but hides the fact from everyone Seems to bore The Narrator by droning on about his business ventures Narrator ends sketch with “To tell the truth I do not know his name”—some speculate The Merchant may be based on a real person and Chaucer was careful not to betray his secret by identifying him

The Oxford Cleric Social Group: City (Technically not a member of the clergy—even though he is seeking a position)

Oxford University (founded in 12 th Century) Oldest surviving university in England

The Oxford Cleric l Physical Appearance – – l “He was not too fat” (298) “A hollow look, a sober stare” (299) Manner of Dress – “The thread upon his overcoat was bare” (300)

The Oxford Cleric (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – l Still a student (295) Still had not found a preferment in the Church (301) Loved books and learning; “His only care was study” (304 -305; 310; 314) A philosopher (307) “Never spoke a word more than was need” (324) Formal, respectful, to the point, lofty in speech (315316) Skills/Talents – “Gladly would he learn, and gladly teach” (318)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Oxford Cleric? l l l Stereotype of poor college student Overall a positive characterization, although he is denying himself food and clothing for the sake of buying expensive books Note that like The Cleric, his horse was “thinner than a rake” (297)

The Sergeant at the Law Social Group: City In order to be a sergeant at the law (one of the king’s legal servants) a lawyer had to have at least sixteen years experience. There were only twenty such lawyers in Chaucer’s day

The Sergeant at the Law l Physical Appearance – l None Manner of Dress – – Wore a “homely parti-colored coat” (338) Had a silk pinstripe belt (339)

The Sergeant at the Law (continued) l Personal Qualities – – l Wary, wise, discreet (320 -322) Busy (but “less busy than he seemed to be”) (331 -332) Skills/Talents – – – Expert in real estate law (328) Knew the law by heart (333 -334; 337) Drew up loophole-proof legal documents (335336)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Sergeant at the Law? l l l Another pilgrim from the City group who may not be all that he appears to be An excellent and eminent lawyer, but not as busy as he appears to be—compare to modern negative stereotypes about lawyers The Narrator suggests he may be taking advantage of his position to acquire land cheaply

The Franklin Social Group: Animated Reptiles

The Franklin Social Group: Feudal The Franklin is a wealthy landowner (although he is not a nobleman) Note The Franklin is traveling with The Sergeant at the Law

The Franklin l Physical Appearance – – l “White as a daisy petal was his beard” (342) “High colored”—red cheeks (343) Manner of Dress – – Carried a dagger and a little silk purse (367) Wore a white girdle (belt) (368)

The Franklin (continued) l Personal Qualities – – Sanguine (343) “Lived for pleasure” (345) Generous—”He made his household free to all the County” (350) Insisted on the best quality food and drink and lots of it (351 -364)

The Franklin (continued) l Skills/Talents – – Was a Justice of the Peace (365) Served as member of Parliament (366) Collected taxes for the king (369) “He was a model among landed gentry” (370)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Franklin? l l l The Franklin is an epicure—he lives for sensual pleasure with regard to food and drink He is also the “St. Julian” of his county—St. Julian was the patron saint of hospitality; The Franklin’s table is always set with great food and wine and it’s always “open house” Overall a positive portrait—when The Narrator calls him “a model among landed gentry” Chaucer seems to agree

The Five Guildsmen Social Group: City Entourage consisting of a Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, a Weaver, and a Carpetmaker All members of the same religious guild

The Five Guildsmen l Physical Appearance – l Manner of Dress – – l None “All in the livery / Of one impressive guild-fraternity” (373 -374) Carrying silver knives (376 -377) Personal Qualities – – “Each seemed a worthy burgess” (379) Wise (381)

Medieval Guilds l l Forerunners of modern trade unions Set quality standards and fixed requirements for becoming a “master” tradesman or craftsman One had to serve for years as an apprentice before being considered for full membership in the guild Each trade or craft would have its own guild, so The Five Guildsmen must be members of the same religious guild

Knights of Columbus (a modern Roman Catholic religious “guild”)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Five Guildsmen? l l Guildsmen represent nouveau riche (“new rich”)—people who have newly acquired wealth and want everyone else to know it Almost half the sketch talks about their wives (who aren’t even on the pilgrimage); Wives insist on being called “Madam” and have servants carry their cloaks when they go to church

The Cook Social Group: City Note The Cook is a servant of The Five Guildsmen and is traveling with them (Another example of their showing off their wealth—they can afford to bring their own cook on the pilgrimage!)

The Cook l Physical Appearance – l Had an ulcer on his knee (sign of an STD in Chaucer’s time) (396) Skills/Talents – – – An excellent cook (389 -394) “Could distinguish London ale by flavor” (nice way of saying he drank a lot of ale) (392) Made the best blancmange (chicken stew) (397)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Cook? l l l Another member of the City group who is “the best of the best at his profession” (notice The Narrator says this about almost everyone) As tasty as his chicken stew is, why is it so difficult to enjoy? Example of a Chaucerian “gross joke”

The Skipper (a. k. a. The Shipman) Social Group: City A ship called The Maudelayne is documented in Chaucer’s time—The Skipper may be based on its real life owner

The Skipper l Physical Appearance – – l Tanned (404) Had a beard (416) Manner of Dress – – Wore a woolen gown that reached his knee (401) Carried a dagger on a lanyard around his neck (402 -403)

The Skipper (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – “Rode a farmer’s horse as best he could”— has trouble getting his “land legs” (400) “an excellent fellow” (405) Steals wine he is transporting when the trader is asleep (406 -407) “The nicer rules of conscience he ignored” (408) Hardy, prudent (415)

The Skipper (continued) l Skills/Talents – – Made his prisoners walk the plank (409410) An excellent sailor—”none from Hull to Carthage was his match” (411 -414)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Skipper? Even though The Narrator praises him as “the best of the best” shipmen, he also implies he’s a thief —and remember he makes his prisoners walk the plank l Seems to be more of a pirate than a respectable skipper l

The Doctor Social Group: City

Medieval Medicine l l Doctors would treat their patients using astrology—they would consider what planets were aligned when a person was born and consult the stars Bloodletting also a common treatment— doctors attempted to restore a balance of the “Four Humors” through bleeding

The Four Humors (Excess of one humor affected a person’s disposition) Black Bile = Melancholy (sad, gloomy) l Phlegm = Phlegmatic (slow, dull) l Red Blood = Sanguine (cheerful, optimistic) l Yellow Bile = Choleric (irritable, short- tempered) l

The Doctor l Physical Appearance – l None Manner of Dress – Dressed in blood-red garments, slashed with bluish gray and lined with taffeta (449 -450)

The Doctor (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – Had a scam going with apothecaries (druggists)—would prescribe medicine patients didn’t really need and get a kickback from the druggists (435 -438) Careful about what he ate (445 -447) Did not read the Bible very much (448) Cheap (“rather close as to expenses”) (451) Had a special love of gold (454)

The Doctor (continued) l l l “No one alive could talk as well as he did / On points of medicine and surgery” (422423) “A perfect practicing physician” (432) Well-read in medical authorities (439 -444)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Doctor l l l Like most of the City group, he’s the best doctor—knows medicine very well Again, like most of the City group, he has his negative side—he’s cheap and has that scam going with the apothecaries to cheat his patients Keep an eye on The Doctor

The Wife of Bath Social Group: City Any married woman was often referred to as the “Wife” of whatever town she was from— remember people didn’t have surnames The Wife’s name is Alice

The Wife of Bath l Physical Appearance – – Somewhat deaf (456) Bold, handsome, red face (468) Had gap-teeth, set widely—a sign in Chaucer’s time that she was “hot to trot” (478) Had large hips (483)

Famous Gap-Toothed People

The Wife of Bath (continued) l Manner of Dress – – Wore scarlet red hose (466) Soft new shoes (467) Well wimpled up, wore a broad hat (480 -481) Wore a flowing mantle (482)

The Wife of Bath (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – Hot-tempered (459 -462) Married five times—and five times a widow (470) “Apart from other company in youth; / No need just now to speak of that, forsooth” (471 -472) Well-traveled—had been on pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times, as well as Rome, Bologna, Compostella, and Cologne—she has been around the block (in more ways than one) (473 -476) Liked to laugh and chat (484) An expert in giving advice about love and marriage (485 -486)

The Wife of Bath (continued) l Skills/Talents – An expert in cloth-making (457 -458)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Wife of Bath? l l l One of the most individualized of the pilgrims Her personality really emerges when she tells her tale A “larger than life” character—has been compared to Shakespeare’s Falstaff in Henry IV Part One

The Parson Social Group: Clergy A parson was a parish priest—his job was to minister to all the people in his parish—administer sacraments as well as take care of the poor and sick

The Parson l Physical Appearance – l None Manner of Dress – Carried a stave (walking stick) (505)

The Parson (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – – Holy-minded, of good renown (487) Poor, but rich in holy thought and work (488 -489) Benign, wonderfully diligent (493) Patient (494) Charitable—gives to poor from church offerings and from his own pocket (497 -500) Devoted to his parishoners (501 -505) Holy and virtuous (523)

The Parson (continued) l Skills/Talents – – Learned (490) Knew Christ’s gospel and would preach it devoutly (491 -492) Believes he must set an example for his parishoners to follow—”If gold rust, what then will iron do? ” (506 -514) “Christ and His Twelve Apostles and their lore / He taught, but followed it himself before” (535 -536)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Parson? l l l Like The Knight, The Parson seems to be an idealized portrait—he embodies everything a person who devotes himself to God should be Only positive representative of the clergy (think back to The Prioress, The Monk, and The Friar)— suggests Chaucer believed the Church wasn’t completely corrupt When The Narrator says “I think there never was a better priest” (532) Chaucer seems to agree completely

The Plowman Social Group: Feudal The Plowman is a peasant farmer. Note that he is The Parson’s brother and they are traveling together on the pilgrimage.

The Plowman l Physical Appearance – l None Manner of Dress – Wore a tabard smock (553)

The Plowman (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – l Honest worker, good and true (540) Lived in peace and perfect charity (541) Loved God and his neighbor (543 -544) Never complained (344 -345) Charitable (348 -350) Skills/Talents – – Steadily went about his work (546) Paid his tithes promptly (551)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Plowman? l l l Like his brother The Parson, The Plowman is an idealized portrait Lives the hard-working but content life of a peasant Does not have much himself, but is willing to pay his tithe to the Church and give to charity as well

The Miller Social Group: Feudal The job of millers was to grind grain into flour at his mill. Millers had a reputation for always trying to cheat their customers. Note The Miller rides first in the cavalcade of pilgrims as they ride to Canterbury

The Miller l Physical Appearance – – – – Weighed sixteen stone (1 stone = 14 pounds) (559) Stout, big in brawn and bone (560) Broad, knotty, short-shouldered (563) Had a broad red beard (566 -567) Wart at tip of his nose had red hairs growing on it (568570) Wide, black nostrils (571) Mouth “like a furnace door” (573)

The Miller (continued) l Manner of Dress – – Had a sword and buckler at his side (572) Wore a blue hood and white coat (580)

The Miller (continued) l Personal Qualities – – l A wrangler and buffoon (574) Likes to tell filthy stories in the tavern (574 -575) Skills/Talents – – Good wrestler—won the ram at any competition (561562) “A master hand at stealing grain” (576) Had a “thumb of gold” (579) Played the bagpipes (581)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Miller? l l l Another one of the most individualized portraits The Miller’s repulsive physical appearance reflects his inner qualities Description in “General Prologue” prepares us for his tale—which is an elaborate dirty joke that he tells while he is drunk

<> The Manciple Social Group: City A manciple was an administrator whose job it was to purchase food and provisions. This particular manciple works for a society of distinguished lawyers in London.

The Manciple l Physical Appearance – l Manner of Dress – l None Personal Qualities – Illiterate (590)

The Manciple (continued) l Skills/Talents – – – Shrewd purchaser—watched the market carefully and was able to purchase provisions at the lowest price (584 -588) Able to cheat the brilliant lawyers for whom he works without them ever suspecting (589 -602) Was able to “wipe their eye”—knock the conceit out of them (602)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Manciple? l l Another one of the lesser important pilgrims More than half of the portrait is spent describing the lawyers who employ The Manciple He’s the best manciple—”All caterers might follow his example / In buying victuals” (584 -585) Another member of City group who “lives by his wits” by embezzling money from his employers

The Reeve Social Group: Feudal A minor official on a country estate who served as an intermediary between the lord of the manor and his serfs The Reeve’s name is Oswald and his horse’s name is Scot. He rides last on the cavalcade of pilgrims.

The Reeve l Physical Appearance – – Old, thin (603) Beard shaven closely to the skin (604) Short hair (605 -607) Lean legs “like sticks they were” (607608)

The Reeve (continued) l Manner of Dress – – – Wore a long, bluish overcoat (633) Had a rusty blade slung at his side (634635) Coat tucked under belt and splayed (637)

The Reeve (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – Choleric (603) A tough boss—”He knew their dodges, knew their every trick; / Feared like the plague he was, by those beneath” (620 -621) Dishonest—apparently stole money from his lord and then loaned it back to him or bought him gifts in order to win favor (624 -628)

The Reeve (continued) l Skills/Talents – – – Very neat and meticulous (609 -610) Good at managing the lord’s crops (611 -613) Was a “carpenter of first-rate skill” (630)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Reeve? l l l The Reeve is the kind of boss you would hate to work for because you couldn’t get away with anything Also the kind of supervisor you would want to hire—but at the same time he’s a thief—he steals from the lord who has total trust in him His choleric personality also makes him the kind of person with whom you probably wouldn’t want to hang out

Reeves vs. Millers l Reeves and millers were natural enemies—one of the reeve’s jobs was to take the lord’s grain to be milled into flour. Reeves knew that most millers were dishonest so they watched them very carefully. Millers didn’t like reeves because they knew they didn’t trust them. The Reeve and The Miller on the pilgrimage can’t stand one another —that’s why The Host makes The Miller ride first and The Reeve ride last in the cavalcade of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.

The Summoner Social Group: Clergy A summoner’s job was to summon sinners to the ecclesiastical court for violations of Church law. Summoners also were expected to report anyone they found committing sins to the Church court.

The Summoner l Physical Appearance – – “His face on fire…for he had carbuncles” (641) Narrow eyes (642) Black scabby brows, a thin beard (643) “Children were afraid when he appeared” (644)

What’s a carbuncle?

The Summoner (continued) l Manner of Dress – – Wore a garland on his head (682) Carried a round cake that he pretended was a shield (684 -686)

The Summoner (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – As hot and lecherous as a sparrow (642) Loved garlic, onions, leeks, and strong red wine (650 -651) Got drunk and would pretend he could speak Latin—but he really couldn’t—he would just repeat phrases he had heard in Court—if someone pressed him he would say “Questio quid juris” and nothing more.

The Summoner (continued) l Personal Qualities (continued) – – “A noble varlet and a kind one” (663) Would overlook sins he was supposed to report for a bribe (665 -667) Had mistresses on the side (668) Would also extort money from sinners—would report them unless they paid him (669 -681)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Summoner? l l l Probably the worst pilgrim so far—he abuses his position—takes bribes and commits extortion The Summoner’s physical repulsiveness mirrors his inner depravity In Chaucer’s time people believed pimples were caused from overindulging in food and drink—The Summoner “wears his sins on his face”

The Pardoner Social Group: Clergy Pardoners would sell “pardons” to sinners who had committed serious sins and had significant penances to complete. Chaucer’s Pardoner also sells indulgences —he sold people pardons that would get them out of Purgatory and into Heaven sooner than they would otherwise. The money was supposed to be used by the Church to help the poor and sick. Note The Pardoner is traveling with his friend The Summoner—they sing together as they ride.

The Pardoner l Physical Appearance – – – Had hair “as yellow as wax” that fell behind his head down to his shoulders like “rat-tails” (693 -697) Had bulging eyeballs “like a hare” (702) Had no beard—very smooth chin (707 -708)

The Pardoner (continued) l Manner of Dress – – – Wore a little cap on his head (701) Had sewn a relic on his cap (703) His wallet full of pardons lay on his lap (704705)

The Pardoner (continued) l Personal Qualities – – Had a high voice “like a goat” (706) “I judge he was a gelding, or a mare” (709) Dishonest—passes off rags and animal bones as holy relics in order to con people out of their money—which he keeps for himself (712724) “In church he was a noble ecclesiast” (726)

The Pardoner (continued) l Skills/Talents – – “There was no pardoner of equal grace” (751) Read a lesson or told a story well (727) “But best of all he sang an Offertory”—part of the Mass when he would charge people to venerate his “relics” or buy his “pardons” (728) Good preacher—had a “honey tongue” (730)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Pardoner? l l l Chaucer seems to save the worst for last He says The Pardoner and The Summoner are birds “of the same feather” (688) Even The Narrator (who likes almost everybody) admits that The Pardoner is a corrupt con-man— all of his relics and pardons are fake Chaucer implies The Pardoner is a eunuch—a man born without testicles or who has been castrated His “unnatural” condition is a reflection of his inner depravity

The Host Social Group: City The Host, whose name is Harry Bailey, owns the Tabard Inn where the pilgrims are staying before setting out for Canterbury the next morning.

The Host l Physical Appearance – – l “A very striking man” (769) Bright eyes, “girth a little wide” (771) Manner of Dress – None

The Host (continued) l Personal Qualities – – – l “Fit to be a marshall in a hall” (770) “No finer burgess in Cheapside” (772) Bold in speech, wise, full of tact (773) Manly (774) Merry-hearted (775) Skills/Talents – Served the finest victuals (767)

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Host? l l l Positive portrait—he has all the qualities one would expect of a successful innkeeper and tavern owner A “people person” His personality emerges in his role as emcee of the storytelling contest he proposes—he makes several references to his nagging wife (which may be the real reason he wants to go to Canterbury with the pilgrims—to get away from her for a week!)

The Narrator (a. k. a. Chaucer) The Narrator is our eyes and ears on the pilgrimage. He promises to report everything exactly as it happened. Remember to distinguish between Chaucer the Narrator/Pilgrim and Chaucer the Poet—they don’t always have the same view.

The Narrator l Personal Qualities – – Friendly—is able to befriend 29 other people and learn about them in the course of an evening Good listener—apparently people “open up” to him in conversation Naïve—he tends to say something nice about almost all of the pilgrims—most of them are “the best of the best” at their profession or trade Just don’t forget that Chaucer the Poet wants you to see the irony in many of Chaucer the Narrator’s conclusions

The Host’s Proposal l The Host suggests that since the pilgrims will probably tell stories on the way to Canterbury anyway, they could make it more enjoyable by having a storytelling contest Each of the thirty pilgrims would tell two stories on the way to Canterbury—and two more on the way back to London Chaucer originally planned to include a total of 120 tales—he finished fewer than 30

The Host’s Proposal (continued) l l The Host offers to join the pilgrimage and ride to Canterbury to serve as judge and referee of the contest—all at his own expense He says the best tale will be determined based on “good morality and general pleasure” (816)

The Host’s Proposal (continued) l l What’s a contest without a prize? The winner will receive a free supper at the Tabard Inn when they return from Canterbury—paid for by all of the other pilgrims Once everyone agrees to The Host’s plan, they must play according to his rules—anyone who doesn’t will have to pay the cost of everyone’s pilgrimage—a considerable sum of money