More Related Content
Similar to Prologue to canterbury tales (18)
Prologue to canterbury tales
- 1. PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES IMPORTANT CHARACTERS
- 2. The Knight The Knight has participated in numerous holy crusades and is brave, honorable, wise, chivalrous, and generous. His appearance is shabby, but his horses are top notch, revealing where he places his priorities. The Knight is admired by all. Even though he’s always been a warrior and has killed many enemies, the Knight serves as a peace- maker on the pilgrimage. CHARACTERISTICS: trustworthy, honorable, generous, wise, modest, brave, fought in many battles; Chaucer praises him, perfect, respects him
- 3. Squire The Knight’s son, the Squire is about twenty years old. The Squire has curly hair and wears an embroidered tunic of red and white. He’s an excellent horseman and has seen action with the cavalry. The Squire is of average size but is strong and agile. He can sing, dance, play the flute, write, draw, and recite poetry. He’s also hot-blooded and passionate when it comes to love. CHARACTERISTICS: knight's son, romantic, strong, good-looking, Renaissance man; Chaucer praises him, gentle amusement.
- 4. Yeoman The Yeoman is servant to the Knight and Squire. In appearance, the Yeoman is much like Robin Hood. He’s dressed in green and carries a bow and arrows, along with a shield, a sword, and a dagger. He wears a brace to protect his forearm while shooting his bow. He also wears a St. Christopher medal and a hunting horn. The Yeoman is wise in the ways of the forest. CHARACTERISTICS: servant, dressed like Robin Hood, has a bow/arrow, well armed, religious; Chaucer- objective approval.
- 5. Prioress The Prioress, Madame Eglantyne, is a high ranking nun in the Catholic Church. She tries to impress others by speaking French, but her French is very bad. She sings Church services through her nose and has good manners. She’s quiet and timid. She keeps small dogs as pets, which was against the rules of the Church. The thinking behind this was that the food that went to support pets should instead go to feed hungry people. She also wore jewelry, which was against Church rules, as well. The Prioress has grey eyes, a small mouth, and a broad forehead, which signified beauty in Chaucer’s time. The Prioress is accompanied by a nun and three priests. CHARACTERISTICS: Chaucer mocks her. She is attractive but vain.
- 6. Monk The Monk is a bad representative of the Church. Monks were supposed to be poor and lacking in worldly goods, but Chaucer’s Monk is dressed in rich clothes and maintains a stable of horses and a kennel of hunting dogs. He spends much of his time hunting instead of saving souls. His hood is fastened with an expensive gold clasp. The Monk is fat and has a shiny face and a shiny bald head, along with bulging, darting eyes. The Monk rode a brown horse.
- 7. Friar The Friar was a jolly man named Hubert. He cared little for the poor, but he was always willing to grant forgiveness to the wealthy for a bribe. He was eloquent in speech, and he spoke with a lisp, believing that it made his voice sweeter. He enjoyed young women and often gave them small gifts. He also arranged quick marriages for girls who found themselves “in trouble.” He was probably responsible for “the trouble” in many cases. The Friar sang and played the hurdy-gurdy and the harp.
- 8. Merchant He is arrogant. He has a desire to be recognized. He thinks highly of his appearance. Chaucer- gently mocks him.
- 9. Oxford Cleric The Oxford Cleric is a student at Oxford. He’s thin and rides a very thin horse. The man is very poor, and whenever he gets a coin or two, he spends them on books. He’s quiet, respectful, and appreciative. He prays for those who help him in his learning endeavors. He follows a philosophy of moral virtue. “Gladly would he learn, and gladly teach.” All he seems to care about is his education.
- 10. Man of Law This character is a lawyer who was appointed by the king. He often serves as a judge, and he specializes in land deeds. He’s always talking about laws, cases, and judgments and is sort of a know-it-all. He wants everyone to believe that he stays very busy in his profession, but in truth, he doesn’t. the Lawyer wears a coat of different colors and a pin-striped silk belt.
- 11. Franklin The Franklin is a wealthy landowner who’s fond of fine food and drink. In fact, Chaucer describes him as an Epicurean. He was an excellent host, providing his house guests with all the best foods, ales, and wines. In appearance, he looks much like Santa Claus, with a red face and white beard. The Franklin has served as judge at cases heard by the Justices of the Peace, and he often represented his county in Parliament.
- 12. Doctor Chaucer’s Doctor talks at length about illnesses, treatments, and cures. He’s in cahoots with the druggists in cheating his patients. He loved gold and was a tightwad. He was more interested in what a patient could pay him than he was in actually caring for those under his care. The Doctor wore red and grey garments.
- 13. Poor Parson Of the Canterbury Tales characters associated with the Church, the Parson is by far the most honest and appealing. He’s poor but holy. He has a large parish and does his best to take good care of his parishioners, visiting them regularly on foot. He knows the Bible well and preaches it dutifully. Whenever he acquires coins or goods, he gives them to the poor.
- 14. Wife of Bath beautiful (gap in teeth), tough, goes to church, seems holy/religious but isn't really, likable, jolly; Chaucer- hypocritical, gentle mocking. She is on the pilgrimage to look for a new husband.
- 15. Plowman The Plowman is the Parson’s brother. He’s a lowly farm worker, and like the Parson, the Plowman is poor but holy. He often works for others without charging them. He wore a heavy smock and rode a mare in the procession to Canterbury.