The Canterbury Tales The Prologue Written by Geoffrey

The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue Written by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Merchant Physical Appearance/Manner of Dress: ØForking beard (see next slide) ØMotley dress ØBeaver hat ØBuckled boots

Examples of Forking Beards

The Merchant Personal Qualities/Skills: __________________ Ø Opinionated (business) Ø Expert at exchanges (selling foreign currency at a profit) Ø Successful - administration, loans, bargains, and negotiation Ø “An excellent fellow”

The Merchant’s Secret! No one knew he was in debt!

The Oxford Cleric (Clerk) Physical Appearance/Manner of Dress: ______________ ØHe and his horse were thin ØA hollow look, a sober stare Ø“The thread upon his overcoat was bare”

The Oxford Cleric In order to enter a university, medieval students had to become minor members of the church first. He had a pile of 20 books by his bed!

The Oxford Cleric Personal Qualities/Skills: _________________ ØA student who loved books and learning ØNever spoke more than necessary (short and to the point) ØFormal, respectful

The Oxford Cleric Qualities and Skills: __________________ ØHe preferred having books than clothes or instruments (Books were expensive) ØA philosopher Ø$ = Books Ø“He would gladly learn and gladly teach”

The Sergeant at the Law 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. So the Sergeant practiced law with distinction for 16 years!

The Sergeant at the Law Manner of Dress: ________________________ ØWore a parti-colored coat ØA silk, pinstripe belt Ø“Of his appearance I have said enough”

The Sergeant at the Law Personal Qualities and Skills: ØWise - claimed to be “busy, ” but really was not ØJustice of Assize (often traveled about the country to hear cases) ØKnew of every judgment, case, and crime recorded since King William’s time ØHis documents (legal screeds) were so wellwritten (not even a comma was out of place)