The Canterbury Tales
Study Guide
1. Geoffrey Chaucer adopted the plan for The Canterbury Tales in 1386 and the
Prologue in 1387.
2. The Prologue is the frame tale involving 29 pilgrims plus the author/narrator
(total of 30) going to see the shrine of St. Thomas in Canterbury-about 6065 miles away from their starting place of the Tabard Inn in Southwark. The
journey would take about 4 days each way.
3. Each pilgrim was to tell two tales going to Canterbury and two returning, for
a total of 4 each. Out of the 120 stories, only 24 were completed.
4. The opening lines state the reason for the pilgrimage. First-to seek aid for
illness; second-weather is pleasant for a vacation; third-religious
commitment. The second is the most common reason.
Prologue (p. 123)
1. At what time of year does the pilgrimage take place? Spring
2. List 4 actions that take place at that time of year. birds singing, flowers
blooming, showers falling, breeze blowing, people take pilgrimages
3. Why do people want to go on pilgrimages? religious commitment—mostly nice
weather
4. In England, what was the favorite pilgrimage? Canterbury Cathedral/St. Thomas
5. Who is the narrator? Chaucer
6. How many pilgrims are there-including the narrator? 30
7. When do the pilgrims plan to start? April 11, 1387
8. What four kinds of information about each pilgrim will the narrator give? rank,
array, number, cause (appearance, profession, personality, where they ride in the
line/social standing)
The Knight (l. 42)
9. What code does the knight follow? Define the word. chivalry; code of honor
(truth, honor, generosity, courtesy)
10. Name 5 places the knight has fought. Alexandria, Prussia, Lithuania, Russia,
Granada, North Africa, Benamarin, Anatolia, Ayas, Attalia, Tramissene
11. How is the knight's personality described? modest, humble, good, wise
12. List several details of his physical appearance. stained tunic, very plainly
dressed; obviously put horses and equipment as priority over attire
The Squire (l. 81)
13. How old is he? 20
14. Describe his appearance in detail. handsome, fancy dress
15. What skills or talents does he have? agility, strength, fluting, singing,
horsemanship, writing songs and poems, joust, dance, draw
16. Where and how has he fought? Flanders, Artois, Picardy; valiantly
17. How is his personality described? courteous, humble, respectful of his father
18. What do we learn about the squire's nocturnal activities? He has a very active
“love life”.
The Yeoman (l. 103)
19. Who is the yeoman? The squire’s servant
20. How does he dress? fancy; stylish
21. What equipment does he carry? bow and arrows
The Prioress (l. 123)
22. What is a prioress? a nun; very high up in her order; second only to Mother
Superior
23. What things does the prioress do well? table manners, speak French, sing
24. What events arouse her sympathy? hurt or dead animals
25. Describe her appearance. large woman; grey eyes; small, red lips; large
forehead; lots of elaborate jewelry
26. What is inscribed on her brooch (necklace/pin)? “Amor vincit omnia” (love
conquers all)
27. Who accompanies her? a nun and three priests
The Monk (l. 193)
28. What is his favorite activity? hunting
29. How does he feel about the rules of his order? He ignored them.
30. How does the author feel about the monk's opinions on hunting and staying
outside the cloister for monks? Is he being sincere or sarcastic? He said he agreed;
being very sarcastic!
31. How is he dressed? What does his face look like? fancy accessories and hunting
gear; greasy face; bug-eyes
The Friar l. 212)
32. What kind of friar is he? Describe his personality. He is a begging friar. He is
also a ladies’ man.
33. What are his duties as a friar? hear confessions and grant absolutions
34. How does one gain absolution from this friar? giving money
35. Where does he like to pass the time away? taverns
36. From whom does the friar beg? EVERYONE—young, old, rich, poor
37. Describe his appearance. What is he carrying? very fancy habit (living above his
means); harp
The Merchant (l. 280)
38. How is he dressed? expensive clothes
39. What does he brag about? how he always wins; making money (he actually has
a lot of debt)
40. What does he do well? business management (money, loans, etc.)
The Student (l. 295)
41. Describe his appearance. very thin; hollow look
42. What does he prefer to food and fancy clothes? learning and books
43. On what does he spend money? books
44. What does he like to do? learn and teach
The Lawyer (l. 319)
45. How is he dressed? multi-colored coat w/silk belt
46. What two adjectives describe him? wary and wise
47. What dishonest activity is hinted at? writing “shady” land contracts
The Franklin (l. 341)
48. Describe his appearance. very pale hair; very happy and confident
49. What does this mean: "He was the true son of Epicurus."? He LIVED for
pleasure.
50. What are his major interests? entertaining; pleasure; good food, wine and fun!
51. What office has he held? judge—member of Parliament
The Guildomen (l. 371)
52. How many are there? five
53. How are they dressed? all alike—guild “uniform”; very expensive clothes and
accessories
54. What do they want to become? aldermen (city council members)
55. Why do their wives want that for them, too? They wanted the respect and
privilege that went with being aldermen’s wives.
The Cook (l. 389)
56. Whom does he accompany? the Guildomen
57. What does he do well? Blancmange—creamy dish
58. What distinguishes his physical appearance? open, running sore on his knee
The Skipper (l. 398)
59. How does he dress and look? has a beard; woolen gown; knife hanging around
his neck
60. From where does he come? Dartmouth
61. What is the name of his ship? the Maudelaine
The Physician (l. 421)
62. What sort of relationship does he have with the druggist? they made money off
each other; only prescribed what his friends stocked
63. What sort of knowledge does he have? every ailment and every cure
64. How is he dressed? red & blue clothes with silk trim—very fancy
65. Why does he love gold? it was thought that gold stimulates the heart; he’s also
very stingy
The Wife of Bath (l. 455)
66. What is her occupation? cloth maker
67. How does she dress and look? lots of scarves; red hose; soft, new shoes, nice
looking, large hat
68. How many husbands has she had? 5
69. On what other pilgrimages has she been? Jerusalem, Rome, Bologne,
Compostella, Cologne
70. Of what game does she know all the tricks? matchmaking/love
The Parson (l. 387)
71. What kind of man was he? good, honest, holy-minded
72. Explain the meaning of the following line: "He was a shepherd and not a
mercenary." He truly LED his flock; practiced what he preached
73. How does the narrator feel about him? thinks he really is a good man
The Plowman (l. 537)
74. To whom is the Plowman related? the Parson
75. What kind of man is he? hard-working, honest
76. Why does he help poor people? because God says in the Bible that it is what we
are supposed to do
77. What is his view on tithing? he feels it is his duty; gives extra
The Miller (l. 559)
78. Describe all the details of his appearance. large man, red beard, wart on the
end of his nose with red hairs growing out of it
79. What actions of his are mentioned? stealing grain—cheating farmers
80. What is he playing as they leave town? bagpipes
81. Explain the term "a golden thumb". He used his thumb to weigh down the
scales to make farmers think they owed him for more grain than they had.
The Manciple (l. 583)
82. What is a manciple? purchasing agent
83. Is he an honest man? yes—just a very shrewd businessman
The Reeve (l. 603)
84. What is a reeve? overseer—managed estate for the landowner
85. Describe his appearance. old, thin, and sickly—close-shaven, short hair
86. Describe his disposition. very shifty
87. What is his trade? carpenter
88. Where does he ride in the group of pilgrims? at the back
The Summoner (l. 639)
89. What is the job of the summoner? to summon sinners to the church court
90. Describe his appearance. many pimples on his face; thin beard; red face
91. What does he love? garlic, onions, red wine
92. What is he carrying? What is he wearing on his head? a cake; a wreath of
flowers
The Pardoner (l. 665)
93. What is a pardoner? heard confessions and granted pardons
96. Describe his appearance. long, gold hair; bulging eyes; high voice
97. How does he get money from people? sells them fake relics
98. Why does he sing the offertory so well? he is happy because he knows people
are giving money
Chaucer, the pilgrim narrator (l. 711)
97. What information is given to the reader? rank, array, number, cause
98. What does he beg you to excuse? his shortcomings--stupidity
99. How does Chaucer, the pilgrim, describe himself? he says he is “short of wit”
The Host (l. 743)
100. What is the Host's plan for the pilgrims? each to tell two tales there; two tales
back; winner gets dinner; Host to judge
101. Describe the Host. striking; bright eyes; big man; bold speech; wise & tactful;
good sense of humor