The Canterbury Tales - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Canterbury Tales

“The General Prologue”Slide2

The Knight

Social Group: FeudalSlide3

The Knight

Physical

Appearance

Perfect, Gentle Knight

Generous, Honorable, Truthful

Fought in many battles all around the world.

Wise

, but modest.Slide4

The Knight

Has come directly from battle to go on the pilgrimage.

Fine horses

Christian

WiseSlide5

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.Slide6

The Squire

Social Group: Feudal

Note that The Squire is

The Knight’s sonSlide7

The Squire

Physical Appearance

Curly hair (as if it had been “pressed”) (83)

20 years old (84)

“of a moderate length” (85)

agile, strong (86)Slide8

The Squire (continued)

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)Slide9

The Squire (continued)

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”Slide10

The Squire (continued)

Skills/TalentsHad 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)Slide11

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Squire?

First pilgrim sketch that involves satireSquire 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?Slide12

The Yeoman

Social Group: Feudal

Note that The Yeoman is the Knight’s servant and part of his entourage (along with The Squire)Slide13

The Yeoman

Physical Appearance“His head was like a nut” (111)“Face was brown” (111)

Why?Slide14

The Yeoman (continued)

Manner of DressWore 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)Slide15

The Yeoman (continued)

Personal QualitiesVery neat (106-107, 109)Skills/Talents

“Knew the whole of woodcraft” (112)

“was a proper forester” (121)Slide16

How do you think Chaucer intended the reader to feel about The Yeoman?

One of the lesser important pilgrimsOverall portrait is positive

Very good at what he does—an excellent woodsman

Sounds very much like the popular conception of “Robin Hood”Slide17

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”Slide18

Nuns and Monks

Several orders of both in medieval EnglandMost 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)Slide19

The Nun

Physical AppearanceElegant 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)Slide20

The Nun (continued)

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)Slide21

The Nun (continued)

Personal QualitiesSimple, 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)Slide22

The Nun (continued)

Skills/TalentsSang well, although nasal (126-127)Spoke French, but such as a lady would learn at school (128-130)

Exquisite table manners (131-140)Slide23

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Nun?

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”Slide24

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 obedienceSlide25
Slide26

The Monk

Physical AppearanceBald, shiny head (202)Shiny face (203)Fat (204)

Prominent eyeballs—”never seemed to settle” (205)

Not pale (209)Slide27

The Monk (continued)

Manner of DressSleeves garnished with “fine gray fur” (197-198)Had a gold pin on his hood—”into a lover’s knot it seemed to pass” (200-201)

Supple boots (207)Slide28

The Monk (continued)

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)Slide29

The Monk (continued)

Skills/Talents“Hunting was his sport” (170)Had many horses (172) and greyhounds (194)

A good horseman (193)Slide30

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Monk?

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 oneSlide31

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?

Question:Slide32

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 HubertSlide33

The Friar

Physical AppearanceGay, sturdy voice (239)Strong, white neck (242-243)

“lisped a little” (274)

“His eyes would twinkle in his head” (277)

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)Slide34

The Friar (continued)

Personal QualitiesWanton, 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)Slide35

The Friar (continued)

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 (259-263)

Hurdy-gurdySlide36

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Friar?

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”Slide37

Question:

In what ways is The Friar worse than The Nun or The Monk—earlier targets of Chaucer’s criticism regarding corruption in the Church?Slide38

The Merchant

Social Group: CitySlide39

The Merchant

Physical AppearanceForking 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)Slide40

The Merchant (continued)

Personal QualitiesOpinionated—always talked about business (284-287)Estimable (289)

“An excellent fellow” (293)

In debt—but careful not to let anyone know (290)Slide41

The Merchant

Skills/Talents“Expert at dabbling in exchanges” (288)“So stately in administration, / In loans and bargains and negotiation” (291-292)Slide42

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Merchant?

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 himSlide43

The Oxford Cleric

Social Group: City

(Technically not a member of the clergy—even though he is seeking a position)Slide44

Oxford University (founded in 12th Century)

Oldest surviving university in EnglandSlide45

The Oxford Cleric

Physical Appearance“He was not too fat” (298)“A hollow look, a sober stare” (299)

Manner of Dress

“The thread upon his overcoat was bare” (300)Slide46

The Oxford Cleric (continued)

Personal QualitiesStill 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 (315-316)

Skills/Talents

“Gladly would he learn, and gladly teach” (318)Slide47

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Oxford Cleric?

Stereotype of poor college studentOverall 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)Slide48

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 daySlide49

The Sergeant at the Law

Physical AppearanceNoneManner of Dress

Wore a “homely parti-colored coat” (338)

Had a silk pinstripe belt (339)Slide50

The Sergeant at the Law (continued)

Personal QualitiesWary, 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 (335-336)Slide51

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Sergeant at the Law?

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 cheaplySlide52

The Franklin

Social Group: Animated ReptilesSlide53

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 LawSlide54

The Franklin

Physical Appearance“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)Slide55

The Franklin (continued)

Personal QualitiesSanguine (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)Slide56

The Franklin (continued)

Skills/TalentsWas 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)Slide57

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Franklin?

The Franklin is an epicure—he lives for sensual pleasure with regard to food and drinkHe 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 agreeSlide58

The Five Guildsmen

Social Group: City

Entourage consisting of a Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, a Weaver, and a Carpet-maker

All members of the same religious guildSlide59

The Five Guildsmen

Physical AppearanceNoneManner of Dress“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)Slide60

Medieval Guilds

Forerunners of modern trade unionsSet quality standards and fixed requirements for becoming a “master” tradesman or craftsmanOne 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 guildSlide61

Knights of Columbus (a modern Roman Catholic religious “guild”)Slide62

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Five Guildsmen?

Guildsmen represent nouveau riche (“new rich”)—people who have newly acquired wealth and want everyone else to know itAlmost 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 churchSlide63

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!)Slide64

The Cook

Physical AppearanceHad 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)Slide65
Slide66

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Cook?

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”Slide67

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 ownerSlide68

The Skipper

Physical AppearanceTanned (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)Slide69

The Skipper (continued)

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)Slide70

The Skipper (continued)

Skills/TalentsMade his prisoners walk the plank (409-410)An excellent sailor—”none from Hull to Carthage was his match” (411-414)Slide71

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 plankSeems to be more of a pirate than a respectable skipperSlide72

The Doctor

Social Group: CitySlide73

Medieval Medicine

Doctors would treat their patients using astrology—they would consider what planets were aligned when a person was born and consult the starsBloodletting also a common treatment—doctors attempted to restore a balance of the “Four Humors” through bleedingSlide74

The Four Humors(Excess of one humor affected a person’s disposition)

Black Bile = Melancholy (sad, gloomy)

Phlegm

= Phlegmatic (slow, dull)

Red Blood

= Sanguine (cheerful, optimistic)

Yellow Bile

= Choleric (irritable, short- tempered)Slide75

The Doctor

Physical AppearanceNoneManner of DressDressed in blood-red garments, slashed with bluish gray and lined with taffeta (449-450)Slide76

The Doctor (continued)

Personal QualitiesHad 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)Slide77

The Doctor (continued)

“No one alive could talk as well as he did / On points of medicine and surgery” (422-423)“A perfect practicing physician” (432)

Well-read in medical authorities (439-444)Slide78

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Doctor

Like most of the City group, he’s the best doctor—knows medicine very wellAgain, 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 DoctorSlide79

The Wife of Bath

The Wife’s name is Alice

Social Group: City

Any married woman was often referred to as the “Wife” of whatever town she was from—remember people didn’t have surnamesSlide80

The Wife of Bath

Physical AppearanceSomewhat 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)Slide81

Famous Gap-Toothed PeopleSlide82

The Wife of Bath (continued)

Manner of DressWore scarlet red hose (466)Soft new shoes (467)

Well wimpled up, wore a broad hat (480-481)

Wore a flowing mantle (482)Slide83

The Wife of Bath (continued)

Personal QualitiesHot-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)Slide84

The Wife of Bath (continued)

Skills/TalentsAn expert in cloth-making (457-458)Slide85

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Wife of Bath?

One of the most individualized of the pilgrimsHer personality really emerges when she tells her taleA “larger than life” character—has been compared to Shakespeare’s Falstaff in

Henry IV Part OneSlide86

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 sickSlide87

The Parson

Physical AppearanceNoneManner of DressCarried a stave (walking stick) (505)Slide88

The Parson (continued)

Personal QualitiesHoly-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)Slide89

The Parson (continued)

Skills/TalentsLearned (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)Slide90

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Parson?

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 completelySlide91

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.Slide92

The Plowman

Physical AppearanceNoneManner of DressWore a tabard smock (553)Slide93

The Plowman (continued)

Personal QualitiesHonest 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)Slide94

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Plowman?

Like his brother The Parson, The Plowman is an idealized portraitLives the hard-working but content life of a peasantDoes not have much himself, but is willing to pay his tithe to the Church and give to charity as wellSlide95

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 CanterburySlide96

The Miller

Physical AppearanceWeighed 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 (568-570)

Wide, black nostrils (571)

Mouth “like a furnace door” (573)Slide97

The Miller (continued)

Manner of DressHad a sword and buckler at his side (572)Wore a blue hood and white coat (580)Slide98

The Miller (continued)

Personal QualitiesA wrangler and buffoon (574)Likes to tell filthy stories in the tavern (574-575)

Skills/Talents

Good wrestler—won the ram at any competition (561-562)

“A master hand at stealing grain” (576)

Had a “thumb of gold” (579)

Played the bagpipes (581)Slide99

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Miller?

Another one of the most individualized portraitsThe Miller’s repulsive physical appearance reflects his inner qualitiesDescription in “General Prologue” prepares us for his tale—which is an elaborate dirty joke that he tells while he is drunkSlide100

The Manciple

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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.Slide101

The Manciple

Physical AppearanceNoneManner of DressNone

Personal Qualities

Illiterate (590)Slide102

The Manciple (continued)

Skills/TalentsShrewd 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)Slide103

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Manciple?

Another one of the lesser important pilgrimsMore 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 employersSlide104

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.Slide105

The Reeve

Physical AppearanceOld, thin (603)Beard shaven closely to the skin (604)

Short hair (605-607)

Lean legs “like sticks they were” (607-608)Slide106

The Reeve (continued)

Manner of DressWore a long, bluish overcoat (633)Had a rusty blade slung at his side (634-635)

Coat tucked under belt and splayed (637)Slide107

The Reeve (continued)

Personal QualitiesCholeric (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)Slide108

The Reeve (continued)

Skills/TalentsVery neat and meticulous (609-610)Good at managing the lord’s crops (611-613)

Was a “carpenter of first-rate skill” (630)Slide109

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Reeve?

The Reeve is the kind of boss you would hate to work for because you couldn’t get away with anythingAlso 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 outSlide110

Reeves vs. Millers

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.Slide111

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.Slide112

The Summoner

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)Slide113

What’s a carbuncle?Slide114

The Summoner (continued)

Manner of DressWore a garland on his head (682)Carried a round cake that he pretended was a shield (684-686)Slide115

The Summoner (continued)

Personal QualitiesAs 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.Slide116

The Summoner (continued)

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)Slide117

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Summoner?

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”Slide118

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.Slide119

The Pardoner

Physical AppearanceHad 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)Slide120

The Pardoner (continued)

Manner of DressWore a little cap on his head (701)Had sewn a relic on his cap (703)

His wallet full of pardons lay on his lap (704-705)Slide121

The Pardoner (continued)

Personal QualitiesHad 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 (712-724)

“In church he was a noble ecclesiast” (726)Slide122

The Pardoner (continued)

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)Slide123

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Pardoner?

Chaucer seems to save the worst for lastHe 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 depravitySlide124

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. Slide125

The Host

Physical Appearance“A very striking man” (769)Bright eyes, “girth a little wide” (771)

Manner of Dress

NoneSlide126

The Host (continued)

Personal Qualities“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)Slide127

How do you think Chaucer intends the reader to feel about The Host?

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!)Slide128

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.Slide129

The Narrator

Personal QualitiesFriendly—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 conclusionsSlide130

The Host’s Proposal

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 contestEach 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 30Slide131

The Host’s Proposal (continued)

The Host offers to join the pilgrimage and ride to Canterbury to serve as judge and referee of the contest—all at his own expenseHe says the best tale will be determined based on “good morality and general pleasure” (816)Slide132

The Host’s Proposal (continued)

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