The Canterbury Pilgrims
The Knight:
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exemplifies ideals of chivalry
fought in many battles
didn't even change his clothes before the pilgrimage
Chaucer admires him
The Squire:
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young man concerned with his looks
knows how to joust, dance, draw, & write
nightingale
tries to impress the ladies
contrasts the knight but is still courteous
The Yeoman:
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servant to the Knight
a hunter and a soldier
very efficient & professional
takes pride in his work, but is not boastful
The Nun (Prioress):
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she has aristocratic aspirations (speaks French) but is confined to a
religious order (cloistered) - she couldn't have studied in France
table manners are excessively refined
she counterfeited a kind of courtly grace
she fed expensive foods to animals when human beings are starving in
the street (questionable "virtue")
impression: she hungers after gentility and elegance; not heroically
virtuous, but not vicious either
The Monk:
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job: religious person who lives away from world in cloister where he
resigns his life to Christ
took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
vowed never to leave the grounds of the monastery without the
express permission of their superior
his lifestyle completely contradicts his vows: he liked to hunt, had a
dainty horse, greyhounds, fancy clothing
The Friar:
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mendicant - that is, he is licensed to beg - and ministered to the poor
provided absolution, for a "donation", but kept the money
likes wine, women, and song
would rather drink than help the lepers and beggars
irony: gave "absolution, for a gift… in order to make a decent living"
ironic b/c his life is ludicrously indecent
extorted money even from the poor
would arbitrate disputes (for a small fee)
wore expensive clothing when he should be plainly dressed
The Merchant:
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concerned with his appearance and with social stature, as indicated by
expensive hat and boots and the way he sits on his horse
thinks very highly of his opinions and bores his listeners
appeared to be successful in his business, but in reality he was in debt
Oxford Cleric:
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student training to enter the Church
epitomizes the poor, starving student, as conveyed by description of
horse, clothing, and abstention from material luxury
didn't earn anything (friends gave him money and he bought more
books and repaid them by praying for their souls)
moral, virtuous, and "would gladly learn and gladly teach"
Serjeant at the Law:
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most prominent members of the legal profession
satirical emphasis: on his apparent wisdom ("Or so he seemed,"); "But
was less busy than he seemed to be,"; and greedy materialism ("Had
won him many a robe and many a fee,"
Chaucer satirically contrasts his apparent wisdom and industry with
his materialism and self-importance
The Franklin:
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country landowner
made a religion out of eating and drinking
loved to eat and drink and always had an abundant supply of food
Franklin's sin is gluttony (seven deadly sins)
The Guildsmen:
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guilds are professional organizations for craftsmen
these members are proud of their wealth, which they display with
silver knives and pouch adornments
plan was to make each one an alderman, not because they would make
good political leaders, but because they had enough money and their
wives felt it was their due
wives enjoy stature husbands have attained because it earns them
social recognition
The Cook:
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hired by the Guildsmen
made a wonderful chicken dish
irony: good cook, but the seeping sore on his knee made his food
inedible
humorous because if reflects gullibility of guildsmen, who hire a cook
with an open sore
The Skipper:
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sailor & not a good horseman
ignored his conscience
irony: sends enemy sailors "home" to the bottom of the sea
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Chaucer regarded him as a very capable sailor, even if he was lacking
in other respects
The Physician (Doctor):
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Chaucer considered him a "quack" b/c he used astrology to "heal"
patients
always knew how to "cure" every disease and his apothecary friends
made lots of money by selling their "cures"
unlike gluttonous Franklin, he eats a well-balanced diet but is lacking
spiritual nourishment
pinches every penny he made treating the plague victims; believes
gold is good for the heart
The Wife of Bath:
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good seamstress
somewhat deaf
loves to gossip
becomes jealous and angry if anyone else in church tries to be first in
line
red hose and complexion refer to passion (Scarlet Letter)
married five times (one husband hit her upside the head and caused a
partial hearing loss)
Chaucer shows her enthusiasm for life by emphasizing her generous
size, outlandish trappings, numerous husbands, and great love of
travel
The Parson:
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poor, holy-minded, learned preacher of Christ's gospel
paradox: "A holy-minded man of good renown/There was, and poor,
the Parson to a town,/Yet he was rich in holy thought and work"
to be poor in worldly goods is to be rich in holy thought
instead of scolding poor parishioners for not contributing to the
Church and extorting their money, he distributes his meager goods to
those poorer than he
metaphor: "The true example that a priest should give/Is one of
cleanness, how the sheep should live" (comparing the Parson to Christ
the Good Shepard)
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Chaucer highly respects the Parson
The Plowman:
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brother of Parson (literally, figuratively (spiritually), or both)
represents an ideal Christian layman: honest, good, industrious, and
charitable
gains Chaucer's unqualified admiration
The Miller:
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stone = 14 lbs. / 16 stones = 225 lbs.
animal imagery (fox, ox, ram…) and references suggest that the
Miller's life is full of animal passion
"His mighty mouth was like a furnace door" image of "hell-mouth" &
he told filthy stories
cheated when weighing grain by pressing on the scales with his thumb
& took three times his due
led the pilgrims out of town by playing his bagpipes
The Manciple:
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job: purchasing agent for a college, or in this case, the Inns of Court
uneducated man, but could haggle with the best of merchants
ironic that even though he was uneducated, he could "outsmart" the
lawyers and merchants
The Reeve:
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job: to manage the estate, responsible for the crops and animals
outward description (closely shaven, shorn hair, skinny) matches
frugal management style
characterization: even though he manages the estate well and no one
dares cheat, he is skimming profit for himself
rides last b/c is is the natural position for a devious person who keeps
a sharp eye on others to make sure they don't cheat; can see everyone,
but no one can watch him
The Summoner:
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employee of the ecclesiastical courts sent to "summon" those
suspected of offenses against the Church law
appalling physical condition (black, scabby brows, thin beard, scared
kids) may be a result of his lechery
loved garlic and leeks and onions and wine
when drunk, he babbles in Latin, even though he has no idea what he's
saying - he is just repeating what he hears in ecclesiastical courts
can easily be bribed not to bring charges against someone living in sin
The Pardoner:
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sold fake religious relics to poor, unsuspecting people who usually
bought them in good faith
similar to the Monk and the Friar b/c they are all corrupt churchmen
The Host (Harry Bailly):
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hearty, good-natured man
suggests that they tell tales to pass the time on the long journey
suggests that he be the judge and the award for the best story will be a
supper paid by all