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1 Canterbury Tales By Geoffrey Chaucer The Prologue In this narrative, 30 pilgrims traveling to the shrine at Canterbury agree to go together and tell stories on the way. In The Prologue, the narrator introduces each member of the group a sampling of 14 th -century farmers and townsfolk, laity and clergy, saints and sinners. Read with a purpose: Read The Prologue to learn about the characters that will narrate The Canterbury Tales. Restate lines Why does the group make its pilgrimage in April? When April s showers end March s drought, and vital rain bathes the plants roots; when the wind blows through every woodland and plain on sprouting plants; and the spring sun moves into the sign of the Ram; and young birds sing birds that have hardly slept, as they are so invigorated; at that time, people journey to religious shrines; these pilgrims long to visit the unfamiliar grounds of long-gone saints, revered in many places; and especially from every county of England, they go down to Canterbury to visit the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket, who helped them when they were sick. 1

2 The improved weather in April inspires them to leave their homes and undertake a pilgrimage. In lines 23-24, who is the narrator of this poem? The narrator is a pilgrim on his way to Canterbury. What is revealed about his character in this passage? The passage shows that he is gregarious, friendly, interested in people, and a natural leader who convinced everyone to travel together. Paraphrase lines What does the narrator set out to accomplish in The Prologue? Nevertheless, while I am free to do it, before my story progresses further, it makes sense to explain their circumstances, a complete description of each pilgrim as I saw them according to their work and station in life, as well as what they wore during the trip; and I will begin with the Knight. The narrator sets out to describe the full array of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury: the profession, social status, and physical appearance of each one. Reread lines What do the Knight s actions on and off the battlefield reveal about his character? Cite details to support your answer. The Knight s actions reveal that he is a model of chivalry: On the battlefield, he is brave and successful (lines 53-69). Off the battlefield, he is modest, wise, and genteel (lines 70-72). Moreover, he immediately seeks penance after his fighting (lines 79-80). In lines , what does the expression like father, like son mean to you? The expression suggests that fathers and son often share similar characteristics. 2

3 In lines , does the expression apply to the Squire and the Knight? The squire displays agility, strength, bravery, and courtesy, just like his father. However, he does not have his father s experience, though he will acquire it in time. Which details about the Squire make him seem real, rather than idealized like the Knight? The squire displays many characteristics of a young, romantic knight-in-training who wishes to follow in his father s footsteps: He has fire, dedication, and desire to serve his father. However, he is also concerned with his appearance and the impression he makes. Unlike his father, the Squire dresses ostentatiously, and enjoys frivolous pastimes. What information besides the Yeoman s head resembling a nut, suggests that Chaucer does not take this character seriously? Chaucer describes only his clothing, which seems to be showy. Reread lines Which details suggest that the Prioress may be trying to appear more sophisticated than she really is? The Prioress speaks French with an inauthentic English intonation. Her table manners are coarse, despite her efforts to be elegant: She reaches for meat with her hands, dips her fingers in the sauce, and eats everything on her plate. The phrase straining/to counterfeit a courtly kind of grace is a clue. 3

4 In lines , does Chaucer reveal mostly virtues or flaws in the character of the Monk? Explain your answer. Chaucer shows, from the first couplet, that the Monk is a muchflawed character, whose overriding interest is hunting. The Monk ignores and ridicules the rules of his order, shuns studying, and avoids manual labor. List three character traits of the Monk. In what ways does the narrator appeal to poke fun at him? The Monk is a sportsman, shallow, self-indulgent, and materialistic. The narrator specifically pokes fun at the Monk s worldly pastimes and appetites. He is far from being a humble and scholarly servant of God in the mold of St. Benedict, St. Maur, or St. Augustine. In lines , what character traits does the Friar appear to have in common with the Monk? The Friar, like the Monk, does not seem inclined toward a life of poverty or charity. He, too, is a festive fellow who enjoys his fun. Given his interest in hearing confessions from women of means, a material life of the coin appears to be of greater concern than a life of the cloth. In lines , in what ways is the Friar corrupt? He uses his position to gain money; he spends his money on drinking and gifts for women; he does not associate with the poor or unfortunate members of society. Is the Friar more corrupt than the Monk? Explain your answer. Though both are corrupt, the wanton Friar s past and his abuse of power are particularly loathsome. 4

5 Restate lines How does the Friar spend the money he earns through hearing confessions? He kept his pocket stuffed with hairpins and pocketknives to give to attractive girls he sang confidently and loudly, because he had a good voice and played the lute. At musical events he surpassed everyone. Though his neck was as white as a lily, it was strong enough to knock over a brute. He was familiar with the bars of every town, as well as the bartenders and barmaids much more familiar than he was with lepers, beggars, and others of that sort. The Friar buys hairpins and pocketknives for girls. He also spends his money at inns and taverns. Paraphrase lines Is the Merchant a successful businessman? Why or why not? He discussed his opinions and actions in great seriousness, especially his monetary success: He believed that the shipping routes between England and Holland should be policed; and he described himself as an expert at selling foreign currency. He was so clever and so well versed in administering loans, bargaining, and negotiating, that nobody knew he was in debt. Even so, he was a good person, though, honestly, I don t know his name. Students may say that the Merchant is not a successful businessman; although the Merchant is well-dressed, convincing, and seemingly intelligent, he is in debt. In lines , what words give the reader clues the Cleric s character? The words sober, unworldly, earnestly, formal, respectful, lofty, and moral tell the reader that the Cleric is devoted to his studies to become a priest. to Reread lines In what ways does the Oxford Cleric differ from the Monk and the Friar? Cite details. Unlike the Monk and the Friar, the Oxford Cleric is poor, thin, and shabby in appearance. Moreover, the cleric is learned, devout, and concerned with others. 5

6 To what extent does the Sergeant at the Law seem to be all talk and no action? He could talk a fine game of law, so he had made good money and won respect, but he wasn t nearly as productive as he seemed. Would you want to hire the Sergeant at Law? Though the Sergeant gives the appearance of wisdom and discretion, the narrator questions these credentials. The Sergeant appears to be busy, but is less busy than he seemed to be. What does the narrator state directly about the Franklin in lines ? The Franklin has a white beard and rosy complexion. He lives for pleasure, especially for fine food and drink. In lines , why did Chaucer group these five characters Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, and Carpet-maker together? Their grouping suggests that these characters are so similar that there was, perhaps, no need to distinguish among them in this overview. How was a doctor in Chaucer s day different from contemporary doctors? Doctors had extensive training in the four humors and astrology, considered pseudoscience today; they relied heavily on the ancient Greeks; medicine was primitive by contemporary standards. 6

7 Medieval Medicine The treatment of the four humors, referred to in lines , was central to medieval medicine. The belief in the four humors (or bodily fluids) evolved from Greek philosophy. The dominance of one of the four fluids was thought to determine temperament. The fluids were blood (resulting in a sanguine, or lively temperament), phlegm (resulting in a phlegmatic or unemotional temperament), yellow bile, or choler, (resulting in a choleric, or angry temperament), and black bile (resulting in a melancholy temperament). The four humors were sometimes matched up with the four seasons, the four ages of mankind, the four compass directions, and even to the four Evangelists. Medieval doctors attempted to bring the four humors into balance using diet, medicine, and bloodletting. In lines , is the Wife of Bath a round or flat character? The Wife of Bath is a round character: she is interesting, worldly, personable, capable, amorous, self-important, and materialistic. Why does the narrator describe her as worthy in two lines (455 & 469)? The narrator wants to make it clear that he thinks well of her, despite her shortcomings. Reread lines Which details help define the Wife of Bath as a worldly woman? The wife of Bath is a superlative weaver; she wears stylish and expensive clothes; she has been married five times; and she has traveled to many important pilgrim sites, including three visits to Jerusalem. 7

8 Do the Parson s traits show him to be trustworthy? Explain your answer. The Parson s kindness, moral rectitude, generosity, conscientiousness, and diligence show that he is trustworthy. What point is Chaucer making through the Parson? He is making the point that the clergy should be above reproach in their behavior and spotless models to the people they serve. Restate lines In what ways does the Parson serve the members of his parish? A parson s behavior should be pure and set an example for those he leads. A parson should not hire someone else to do his work and leave his followers in trouble or without proper guidance. Nor should he run to London to earn easy money by performing funeral services for the wealthy. Nor should he become involved in some private group, allowing someone else to take over and mislead his followers. He should be a committed leader, not just a worker for hire. The Parson gives money to the poor, pays calls to the parishioners whenever they need him, and provides a fine example to all. Compare the Plowman with his brother, the Parson. What character traits do they seem to share? Both are pious, hard-working, peace-loving, honest, and charitable; neither is materialistic; neither is guided by self-interest or greed. In lines , what words best describe the Manciple s character? Cautious, clever, and frugal. Which lines state Chaucer s opinion of the Manciple most clearly? Now isn t it a marvel of God s grace/that an illiterate fellow can outpace/the wisdom of a heap of learned men? (lines ) 8

9 In lines , what traits and habits have helped the Reeve grow rich? The Reeve is a crafty and capable manager; he has been entrusted with the management of his master s livestock; he stays on top of collections; he knows a good bargain and can manage his money; he is also a fine carpenter. Does Chaucer seem to have any reservations about this character? Chaucer s opening words describe the Reeve as temperamental; Chaucer also says that he is feared like the plague by everyone under him, suggesting that the Reeve is probably not compassionate or kind, but a bully and a stickler. What specific details describe the Summoner s appearance? He is described as having pimples on his face, scabby eyebrows, and a thin beard. Children are frightened of his appearance. Is the Summoner s appearance a reflection of his character? Explain your answer. The Summoner s unattractive appearance is a reflection of his unattractive character. As a church official, he sells favors for wine and drinks too much. Does Chaucer judge characters by the way they look? Chaucer sometimes exaggerates a character s unpleasant physical features to serve as a kind of emblem of their corruption and sin. In lines In what ways is the Pardoner like the Summoner? Like the Summoner, the Pardoner is physically and morally repugnant, another greedy and corrupt church official who has sold his office. 9

10 How does Chaucer differentiate the character of the Summoner from the Pardoner? He looks different: The Summoner has bulging eyes, and light blonde hair hanging down his back in rat-tails; he is also fashion-conscious. Unlike the Pardoner, the Summoner is unmanly, with no beard and a high voice. Paraphrase the description of the Pardoner in lines How exactly does he earn a living? There wasn t a better pardoner from the north to the south of England, for he had a pillowcase that he claimed was Mary s veil. He also possessed a piece of fabric which he claimed came from the sail (of the boat) that Peter used when he tried walking on water, and Jesus came to his rescue. Also, he had a metal cross with stones and a glass with pigs bones. He used these relics to fool the naïve populace of country parishes, where he could make more money in a day than their parson could make in a month of two. Using flattery, and lies, he made fools of the priest and his congregation. The Pardoner earns his living by selling pardons from Rome and fake relics to poor, uneducated country folk. In lines , what words does Chaucer use to describe the Host, the innkeeper of The Tabard? Striking ; no finer burgess in Cheapside ; Bold in speech, wise ; manly ; merryhearted. What actions of this character does Chaucer also describe? He shows the Host serving wonderful food and drink, speaking openly but tactfully, and discussing a variety of subjects. What do the Host s own words reveal about him? The Host s words reveal that he is inventive and fun-loving and that he has mastered the art of making everyone feel welcome. His words, along with his actions and Chaucer s description, illustrate that he is a near-perfect host. In literature, tone refers to the attitude a writer takes toward a subject or character. A writer can communicate tone through diction, choice of details, and direct statements of his or her opinion. Tone can be serious, playful, admiring, mocking, or objective. How would you describe Chaucer s tone toward his characters throughout The Prologue? Why do you think he portrays his characters this way? Chaucer s tone is generally restrained and detached. He likely uses this tone to allow for subtle jokes to be inserted in the descriptions of the pilgrims. 10

11 Did Chaucer base his pilgrims on real-life individuals from his day? Scholars have researched and debated this question for years. Unfortunately, no records exist of Chaucer s personal revelations on the subject, so his readers may never know for sure. The pilgrim who has been identified with the greatest certainty is the Host. The Cook refers to him as Herry Bailly in the Cook s Prologue. Some scholars think that an innkeeper named Henri Bayliff lived in Southwark, the location of Chaucer s Tabard Inn. Bayliff s name appears in various rolls and records from the 1370s and 1380s. Examine the way the pilgrims respond to the Host in lines What type of person do you think would appeal to so many? The Host is likely to be friendly, fun-loving, charismatic, fair, honest, and generous. When and where does The Prologue take place? The Prologue takes place in April at the Tabard Inn in Southwark. What event or circumstance causes the characters to gather? The characters gather for a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket in Canterbury. What plan does the Host propose to the characters? The Host proposes a contest in which each Pilgrim tells two stories on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back; the winner will receive a free dinner. Throughout the selection, Chaucer uses physical details eyes, hair, clothing to help develop his characters. Choose three pilgrims and describe how their outward appearances reflect their personalities. Squire: appearance 20 years old, curly hair, strong, short, embroidered gown; personality young, romantic. Reeve: appearance old, choleric, close-shaven, skinny; personality exacting, shrewd; excellent manager Summoner: appearance carbuncles, narrow eyes, scabby brows; personality despicable; cheater and blackmailer 11

12 Much of the humor of The Prologue is based on irony, the discrepancy between what appears to be true and what actually is true. Explain the irony in each of the following character portraits: The Nun Prioress, the Skipper, the Merchant, the Doctor. The Nun Prioress wishes to seem sophisticated; her poor French, table manners, and jewelry suggest otherwise. The Skipper seems to be a skilled, prudent, and unpretentious seamen, but he is capable of theft and violence. The Merchant is well dressed and well versed at trade, but he is in debt. The Doctor knows everything about medieval medicine, but he is motivated by love of gold rather than the desire to help others. Review what you paraphrased as you read the selection. Describe the narrator s personality and values. The narrator is intelligent, well-read, and religious; he is a keen observer of the faults and strengths of others; he is humorous and humane. He esteems humility, simplicity, generosity, the Gospel and the Golden Rule; he despises pretention, greed, hypocrisy, materialism, and corruption. A writer who pokes fun at behaviors and customs with the intent of improving society is creating satire. Review the descriptions of the Monk and the Friar in lines What aspects of the medieval church does Chaucer satirize through these characters? Chaucer satirizes their worldliness, materialism, and hypocrisy and by extension any churchmen with those traits. Both indulge in worldly pleasures. Neither serves those in need. In literature, tone refers to the attitude a writer takes toward a subject or character. Tone can be serious, playful, admiring, mocking, or objective. Review lines What is Chaucer s tone toward the Wife of Bath? Cite specific words and phrases to support your answer. Though Chaucer gently mocks the Wife of Bath s pride and her excesses in clothing and husbands, he generally admires her, using words such as worthy, bold, and handsome to describe her. 12

13 In 1809, the English poet and artist William Blake made the following observation: Chaucer s pilgrims are the characters which compose all ages and nations Some of the names or titles are altered by time, but the characters themselves forever remain unaltered. Do you agree or disagree that Chaucer s characters seem timeless and universal? Support your opinion with details from the text and your own experiences. Chaucer s pilgrims seem timeless. His stories of the corruption, hypocrisy, greed, and pretense of the Sergeant at the Law, the Merchant, the Friar, the Monk, the Summoner, and the Pardoner are similar to current stories about failures of trust in business, politics, and the clergy. So, too, the faith and charity of the Parson, Cleric, and Plowman have parallels in the humble clergy of today. 13

14 In 1809, the English poet and artist William Blake made the following observation: Chaucer s pilgrims are the characters which compose all ages and nations Some of the names or titles are altered by time, but the characters themselves forever remain unaltered. Do you agree or disagree that Chaucer s characters seem timeless and universal? Support your opinion with details from the text and your own experiences. 14