
The Prologue – Canterbury tales
(incomplete work)
 Source Boccaccio’s Decameron
 Poetic technique Prosody

 Rhyme Royal 7 lines – ababbcc
 Rhyme Royal introduced to English by Chaucer
 The general prologue is the first part of the canterbury tales consists 858 lines
 Season spring month April
 Tabard Inn, a tavern in south work, near London
 29 pilgrims + 1 poet detailed description of 27 pilgrims (excluding 2nd Nun &
Nun priest)
 Destination is the Shrine of (Martyn) – St Thomas Beckel, Canterbury
 All pilgrims represent the whole English society.
 Social status – 1st class: Nobility
2nd class: Clergy
3rd class: Middle class
4th class: peasants
Upon their appearance, dress and character.
 Owner of Tabard Inn – Harry Baily
 He (Harry Baily) suggested idea of telling stories - best story free meal at
Baily Tavern
 Original plan – 120 stories
 Each character says 4 stories on the way 2 stories and return 2 stories.
 Only 24 stories told due to his died. (incomplete work)
 William Caxton published - 1478
Characters
1. Knight
 The Knight is first to be described in the General Prologue because
he is the highest on the social scale, being closest to belonging to the
highest estate, the aristocracy. The Knight's nobility derives from the
courtly and Christian values he has sworn to uphold:
 noblest of the pilgrims
 fulfil the principles of a Medieval English knight
 Lover, disguised chivalrous man, truth, honor, freedom,
courtesyembodying military prowess, loyalty, generosity, and good
manners
 15 deadly battles
 The pentangle represents the five virtues of knights:
friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety.
Social Status: Ruling class: highest among the pilgrims
Dress: “he possessed fine horses but was not gaily dressed”wore a
dark, Fustian tunic (coarse cloth) that had armor stains