English 12
Mrs. Conti
The Canterbury Tales
Study Guide
Theme:
The moral message or lesson of story
Main Idea:
Tells what the story is mostly about (one or two sentence summary)
Summary:
A brief review of a story’s most important ideas.

The Canterbury Tales was written during medieval times, around 700 years ago by Geoffrey Chaucer
(1342-1400).

Chaucer is considered the father of English Literature.

Chaucer wrote for all levels of society when most authors of the time only wrote for the nobility and
upper class.

The Canterbury Tales was originally written in Middle English, which was unusual since most stories at
that time were written in French or Latin.
Prologue
Main Idea: A group of pilgrims meet up in an inn and decide to make the pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral to make the pilgrimage to
Canterbury cathedral together; to pass the time each pilgrim tells a story.
Summary:

A group pf pilgrims meet at an inn in London, they are going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral to
visit the tomb of Thomas a Becket.

The pilgrims decide to travel to Canterbury together, they will each tell a story to help pass the time.

The pilgrim who tells the best story will be given a free meal.
The Knight’s Tale: Chivalry and Rivalry
Main Idea: Two knights, Arcite and Palamon fall in love with the same woman, Emily.
Summary:

Two knights, Arcite and Palamon, fall in love with the same woman, Emily.

They meet by accident in the forest and begin to fight; the king decrees the winner will marry Emily.

Before the tournament, Palamon asks for Emily, Arcite asks for victory, and Emily asks for peace between
the two men. They each get what they want, but in a way that none of them would have predicted.

Arcite wins the battle but falls from his horse and dies, Palamon marries Emily and they live happily ever
after.
Moral of the Story/Theme:
Be careful what you ask for.
The Nun’s Priest’s Tale: The Nightmare Beast of the Firebrand Tail
Main Idea: A fox captures a cock rooster by tricking him with flattery, persuading the rooster to sing.
Summary:

A fox captures a cock rooster by tricking him with flattery, persuading the rooster to sing.

The cock rooster then tricks the fox into opening his mouth and escapes.

The fox tries the same trick again, the cock rooster is not fooled a second time, “once bitten, twice shy”.
Moral of the Story/Theme:
Once bitten, twice shy.
The Wife of Bath’s Tale: What Women Most Desire
Main Idea: A knight, Sir Salvio has to answer the question, “What do women most desire?”, he finally gets the answer from an old hag and has
to marry her in return. The old hag gives him a choice, have an ugly wife who loves him or a beautiful wife he can’t trust.
Summary:

A Knight, Sir Salvio, must find the answer to the question, “What do women most desrire?” to avoid being
punished for breaking the law.

Sir Salvio travels the country looking for an answer, he finally gets the correct answer from an ugly old hag
but he must promise to grant her a wish.

After Sir Salvio delivers the correct answer, “What women most desire is to have their own way in
everything.”, the old hag demands the knight marry her.

Sir Salvio has no choice but to marry the old hag, he becomes depressed but she convinces him it is better
to have an ugly old wife who loves him rather than a beautiful wife whom he can’t trust.

Sir Salvio agrees and the old hag becomes a beautiful young woman.
Moral of the Story/Theme:
What a woman really wants is to be loved for herself.
The Pardoner’s Tale: Death’s Murderers
Main Idea: Three men set out to find death and kill him.
Summary:

Three men set out to find Death and kill him.

They find gold during their search and become greedy; they plot among themselves to kill each other so
they may have more gold for themselves.

In the end they all end up killing each other.
Moral of the Story/Theme:
Greed is the root of all evil.