Canterbury Tales Study Guide
As you study the Prologue, notice how Chaucer the narrator describes the characters. Then notice how Chaucer the author
views the character. Be aware of Chaucer’s use of SATIRE.
The Knight
1. Describe his character.
2. List some of his battles during the Crusades.
3. Describe his clothing. Why is his clothing significant?
4. What line(s) best capture his character? Write the lines and line numbers.
The Squire
1. Who is the Squire? How old is he?
2. Cite his physical characteristics. Cite the lines which describe his clothing. Why is his clothing significant?
3. Describe his character. Write the lines and the line numbers.
The Nun, or Prioress
1. What name was she known by?
2. Where was she taught French? Why is that information significant?
3. Describe her table manners.
4. What made her weep?
5. Describe her physical appearance as related in lines 150-154.
6. What pets does she keep? How does she treat them?
7. What jewelry does she wear? What does Amor vincit omnia mean?
The Monk
1. What sport does he enjoy?
2. Describe the Monk’s horse. What other animals does he keep?
3. Explain the Monk’s attitude towards his religious rules.
4. Describe his clothing. What jewelry does he wear?
5. Describe his physical appearance. Does he look and behave like a monk should? Explain.
6. What is his favorite food?
7. What is a palfrey?
Friar
1. What is the religious role of a friar? What does the Friar do? What people does he like to associate with? What
people does he not like to associate with? Explain.
2. Describe the Friar’s personality. Cite lines and line numbers.
3. What is his relationship with women?
4. Name the instruments the Friar plays.
5. Describe the Friar’s physical appearance. Cite lines and line numbers.
6. Describe the Friar’s clothing. Why is his dress significant?
7. What is his name?
Merchant
1. Describe the Merchant’s dress.
2. What is his business? What matters are of special interest to him?
3. What is the Merchant’s secret?
4. Why is it significant that the narrator does not remember his name?
Oxford Cleric
1. Describe the Cleric’s physical appearance. Describe the Cleric’s horse. Why do they look the way they do?
2. How does the Cleric spend his money? How does he repay loans? What interests him?
3. Cite the line(s) and line number(s) that best describe the Cleric.
Sergeant at the Law
1. What is a Sergeant at the Law?
2. List his characteristics. Cite the line that reveals Chaucer’s insight into his character.
3. Describe his appearance.
Franklin
1. What is a Franklin? What duties does he perform?
2. Describe his physical appearance.
3. How is the Franklin a good host? Cite lines and line numbers to support your answer.
The Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, a Weaver, and a Carpet-Maker
1. What is a guild? What do these men represent?
2. Describe the Guildsmen. How do they see themselves? Cite the lines and line numbers to support your answer.
3. Describe their wives. What lines reveal their personalities?
Cook
1. Describe the Cook’s abilities.
2. Explain the significance of the following quotation:
“But what a pity—so it seemed to me,
That he should have an ulcer on his knee.
As for blancmange, he made it with the best.”
3. Why is it ironic that the Cook travels with the Guildsmen?
Skipper
1. Why is the Skipper so ill at ease?
2. Cite the lines and the line numbers that reveal the Skipper’s character.
Doctor
1. Describe the Doctor’s medical practice. How does the doctor use astrology and the humours in determining
treatments?
2. What relationship does he have with the apothecaries?
3. How is the Doctor’s physical health? How is his spiritual health?
4. Describe his physical appearance.
5. Explain his “special love of gold.”
Wife of Bath
1. Describe the Wife of Bath’s physical characteristics.
2. Describe her personality. Cite lines and line numbers for support.
3. Describe her clothing. Why is her choice of dress significant?
4. What is her occupation? List the cities she has visited on other pilgrimages.
5. How many husbands has she had?
Parson
1. What are the Parson’s responsibilities to his parish?
2. Explain how he views his spiritual duties.
3. Explain the following quotation:
“This noble example to his sheep he gave,
The first he wrought, and afterwards he taught;
And it was from the Gospel he had caught
Those words, and he would add this figure too,
That if gold rust, what then will iron do?”
Plowman
1. What is the relationship between the Parson and the Plowman?
2. Describe the Plowman’s attitude towards living a Christian life. How does he exhibit his Christian beliefs?
Miller
1.
2.
3.
Describe the Miller’s physical characteristics, citing lines and line numbers for support.
Describe the Miller’s behavior. What does it mean that he “was a master-hand at stealing grain. / He felt it with his
thumb and thus he knew / its quality and took three times his due—”
Describe the Miller’s clothing. What instrument does he play?
Manciple
1. What is a manciple?
2. Explain how the Manciple conducts his business, citing lines and line numbers.
3. In what ways is the Manciple shrewd?
Reeve
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is a reeve?
Describe the Reeve’s physical traits and his clothing, citing lines and line numbers.
What is his horse’s name?
The Reeve is also considered a skillful ______________.
When the pilgrims ride out of town, where does the Reeve position himself? Why?
Summoner
1. What are the duties of the Summoner?
2. Describe his physical appearance. Cite lines and line numbers.
3. In what ways is he corrupt?
4. Describe his clothing. What does he wear on his head? Carry in his hand?
Pardoner
1. Who travels with the Pardoner? What do they sing?
2. Describe his physical appearance. What is unusual about his appearance? Cite lines and line numbers.
3. How is he corrupt?
4. Why does he sing “so merrily and loud”?
Concluding Questions
1. After describing the pilgrims, what does the narrator agree to do?
2. What arrangement does the host suggest?
3. What are the rules of the contest? Who will be the judge? What does the winner receive for a prize? What
happens to “the rebel” who “disobeys” the rules?
4. When do the pilgrims begin their journey? How will the pilgrims decide who will tell the first tale?