The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue
Geoffrey Chaucer, Father of English Poetry
No one knows exactly what prompted Chaucer to write these tales, but perhaps he was motivated
by his own trip to Canterbury, England- or perhaps he was incited by the magnitude of social
changes sweeping Europe during his time. Many argue that Chaucer wanted to use his
characters to make some sort of social statement about the Church, morality, or life in general.
Whatever the motivation behind Chaucer’s work, The Canterbury Tales provides us with a
searing snapshot intolife in 14th century (medieval) England.
Further, he is celebrated as one of the first great writers to write in the English language, rather
than the classics, which included French of the courts or Latin of the Church and universities.
By choosing to write in English, he gave his native language a much greater authority and status.
Social Context
Feudalism was beginning to fall apart. A new class of merchants, traders, and shopkeepers arose
in response to widening trade opportunities, adding a new level to society. The Church was
losing its power and influence. Literacy was becoming more widespread. Once only the clergy
could read, but now schools were springing up, teaching a rising middle class to read. Literary
tastes began to change. Instead of reading religious tracts or simply moralistic tales, people
wanted more realistic tales.
Brief summary
In the late Middle Ages, a group of English men and women gather outside London at a tavern
called Tabard Inn. They intend to go on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas ầ Becket in
Canterbury, England. The Host of this inn proposes that the pilgrims pass the time on the
journey by telling stories; he offers to accompany the group, judge the best story, and award the
winner a meal, paid by all, when the group returns to his inn.
The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue lacks a conventional structure: it is intended to introduce all
of the characters set to go on this pilgrimage to Canterbury. As we read, notice how Chaucer
wrote about characters from all walks of life in The Canterbury Tales. The 29 pilgrims agree
and begin telling tales, each of which reflects the interests and personality of the teller. Only 24
of the projected 120 tales were finished, but they stand together as a searing, canonical piece of
work. Pay close attention to the way the characters are introduced. Those with the highest social
standing and morality are introduced first. As The Prologue continues, poorer and more corrupt
characters emerge…..
Questions After Reading
1. What are three theories as to why Chaucer may have been motivated to write The Canterbury
Tales?
2. Why was it a big deal that he wrote in English?
3. What significant social changes were occurring when Chaucer was writing?
4. How might readers who lived during the time of Chaucer have responded to The Canterbury
Tales? Why?
5. What is interesting or noteworthy about the introduction of characters in The Prologue?
Key Literary Terms
Frame Story:
Social commentary:
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Direct characterization:
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Indirect characterization:
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Directions: Be sure to answer all questions in complete sentences. You must answer all parts of
the question for credit. In the other notes section, be sure to provide other details that were
explained in class as we read. You will be called upon to do discuss them.
The Prologue
What time of year did the pilgrims undertake their journey to Canterbury and why?
How many pilgrims are going on a pilgrimage?
Who is the narrator, and why is this noteworthy?
What do you notice about the rhyme scheme of the poem? What literary term applies? What is
it?
Other notes:
The Knight:
Why does the prologue begin with the Knight?
How are the Knight’s ethics described?
What are some of the locations he has been to? Why has he been to so many locations?
Why is it important that the Knight is not “gaily” dressed?
Other notes:
Squire:
What is the relation between the Squire and the Knight?
How is the Squire described physically?
Give a detail from the text about the Squire that shows direct characterization.
Other notes:
Yeoman:
Where is the Yeoman’s job?
How is the Yeoman’s clothes described? Why might he wear this?
What is important to note about the Yeoman’s skin color? Why is his skin this way?
Other notes:
Prioress:
What is a Prioress?
How are “her ways” described?
How might other people know her as?
How many languages does she speak?
Other notes:
Definitions: Define the following words, and include the part of speech. Then name which of the
previous four characters best describes the definition.
Dainty:
Chivalrous:
Agile:
Nun and Nun’s Priest:
Other notes:
Monk:
What does the Monk like to do?
How does the Monk feel about the Bible?
How is the Monk dressed?
Other notes:
Friar:
What does the Friar do?
Define absolution:
What instrument does the Friar play?
Give a detail from the text about the Friar that shows indirect characterization.
Other notes:
Merchant:
How is the Merchant dressed?
Give a detail about the Merchant that shows direct characterization.
Other notes:
Oxford Cleric:
How would you physically describe the Oxford Cleric?
What is his profession?
Define allusion
Give an example of allusion from the excerpt about the Oxford Cleric.
What is the philosopher’s stone?
What is his only care in the world?
Other notes:
Sergeant at the Law:
What is his profession?
What do we learn about his grammar abilities?
Other notes:
Franklin:
The Franklin is described as sanguine. Define sanguine.
Give an example of allusion from the excerpt about the Franklin
Give a detail about the Franklin and how it shows indirect characterization.
Other notes:
The Guild:
What does a Haberdasher do?
What does a Dyer do?
What does a Carpenter do?
What does a Weaver do?
What does a Carpet-maker do?
Other notes about the Guild:
Cook:
Other notes:
Skipper:
Why does the Skipper have a hard time riding a horse?
How might you describe the Skipper’s temperament?
What is the name of his boat?
Other notes:
Doctor:
What are the four humors?
What is an apothecary?
Name three allusions from this passage.
“He did not read the Bible much” is an example of indirect characterization. What does it
mean?
Give another example of indirect characterization from the section about the Doctor.
Other notes:
The Wife of Bath
What is Bath?
Give an example of direct characterization from the section about the Wife of Bath.
What color does she wear? Why is this important?
How many husbands did she have? How did she manage to marry them all at church?
Other notes:
Parson:
What class is the Parson? How holy is the Parson?
What is his profession?
What is tithing? Why might he dislike this? How might this be an example of social
commentary?
Other notes:
Plowman:
What is the Plowman’s relation to the Parson?
How do the Plowman and the Parson differ?
Other notes:
Miller:
How might you physically describe the Miller?
Define Simile:
The Miller is likened to the fox, why?
What does he do for the rest of the characters?
Other notes:
Manciple:
What does the Manciple do?
The reader is told “Now isn’t it a marvel of God’s grace / That an illiterate fellow can outpace /
The wisdom if a heap of learned men.” This is an example of indirect characterization. What
does it mean?
Other notes:
Reeve:
Give an example of direct characterization about the Reeve.
Other notes:
Summoner:
How is the Summoner physically described?
How does he smell?
What did the Summoner like to do?
Other notes:
Pardoner:
Give an example of simile from the section about the Pardoner.
What are some animals the Pardoner is compared to? Why?
How does the Pardoner make his living?
Other notes:
Host:
What game does the Host propose?
Why happens for the winner?
How do they decide who goes first?
Other notes:
Definitions: Define the following words, and include the part of speech.
Prudent
Lobbyist
Soluble
Starting with the lower class people, who might be the best described as prudent?
Which of the Canterbury Tales characters would be the best lobbyist and why?
Which character in The Canterbury Tales is most likely to use a soluble agent?