The Canterbury Tales Prologue
The Canterbury Tales Prologue
Character Descriptions
Knight:
Big Battler (usually hero of battles)
Seems perfect – genuinely nice, the peacemaker of the group, speaks like a gentleman
Chaucer portrays him exactly how he is – accurate description
Beautiful horse
Stained tunic – blood from a previous battle
High social class of nobility – but not a snob
Manly man, yet a gentleman
Learn from Yeoman that 1) The Knight is NOT high maintenance because he only brings one servant with him; 2) He owns land, because the Yeoman is the forester of it.
Squire:
The Knight’s son
Rides a horse well, jousts well
Curly hair
20 – man-boy
Description of him that Chaucer gives – sounds more like the description of a maiden instead of a young man (feminine)
Dances, sings, writes poetry
Serious love affairs that keeps him up all night – little sleep
“Pretty Boy” or “girly man”
Yeoman:
The Knight’s/Squire’s servant
His description is like Robin Hood – dressed in green with a nutshell hat…carries a hunting horn, has a bow and arrows, dagger, and a sword that he keeps in great condition.
Short hair
Brown face – tells the readers that he spends a great deal of time outside
Forester – for the Knight
Woodcrafter
St. Christopher medal (silver) - Therefore he is thepatron saintof travelers.
Nun (Prioress):
2nd in command at the convent
Tries to be dainty – actually a very large woman with a huge forehead, an elegant nose, and petite, red lips
Quirky actions – sings through her nose, speaks incorrect French, and eats very carefully to the point that she doesn’t spill a drop
Tries to seem courtly – which are not the usual actions of a nun (religious figure)
Has a big heart for animals – would cry if she sees a mouse in a trap – feeds her hounds flesh – how does she treat the sick and the poor? (Vow of Poverty)
Elegantly dressed
String of coral beads with a pendant that says “Amor Vincit Omnia”…”Love Conquers All” – suggests that she is infatuated with romantic love verses religious love of God – where are her rosary beads?
To be a religious figure, readers could mistake her for a lady rather than a church official
Was accompanied by another nun and three priests – entourage
Monk:
Manly man
Favorite past time is hunting – monks were forbidden to leave the monastery
Gorgeous horses & greyhounds – vow of poverty? – material possessions
He is a lot like the nun – his actions are not like a religious figure – hunter, overfed, expensively-dressed in fur and gold jewelry, and a cultivator of expensive habits
Willingly admits that he doesn’t live a traditional religious life of hard work, study, and fasting – he claims that he is a “modern” man and does not like the old traditions
He does not slave away over books
Physical appearance: fat, bald, greasy, with eyes that roll in is head (sign of impatience and lust for food and women)
Satire of religious figures – lives the life of luxury and ease verse deprivation and hard work
Friar:
Very much like the nun and the monk – not very pious (devout, religious)
Wanton - meaningless
His sins are more reprehensible because friars, more than any other religious group, were pledged to a life
Licensed to beg in certain regions - Earn money by hearing confessions or administering the sacraments
Couldn’t own property – these were the only means of supporting themselves
Traveled around and seduced women - Must marry off these women to pay for the virginity he has taken from them
Keeps his pockets full of baubles (pins and pocket-knives) to give away to young wives and earn their favor
Could convince a widow to give away her last penny
Earned far more than he needed – life of luxury
Sell’s penances (Church’s forgiveness)
Double-lined, brand new robe
Inappropriate activities – hangs out with wealthy landowners, barmaids, noblewomen, and tavern owners; He sees no reason to hang out with the poor and the sick – there was no money in that!
Excels in singing competitions and debate, resolving disputes at “love days” and court days.
Chaucer tells the readers that this is not a proper occupation.
1