The Canterbury Tales Prologue
Character Descriptions
Knight:
 Big Battler (usually hero of battles)
 Seems perfect – genuinely nice, the peacemaker of the group, speaks like a
gentleman
 Chaucer portrays him exactly how he is – accurate description
 Beautiful horse
 Stained tunic – blood from a previous battle
 High social class of nobility – but not a snob
 Manly man, yet a gentleman
 Learn from Yeoman that 1) The Knight is NOT high maintenance because he
only brings one servant with him; 2) He owns land, because the Yeoman is the
forester of it.
Squire:
 The Knight’s son
 Rides a horse well, jousts well
 Curly hair
 20 – man-boy
 Description of him that Chaucer gives – sounds more like the description of a
maiden instead of a young man (feminine)
 Dances, sings, writes poetry
 Serious love affairs that keeps him up all night – little sleep
 “Pretty Boy” or “girly man”
Yeoman:
 The Knight’s/Squire’s servant
 His description is like Robin Hood – dressed in green with a nutshell hat…carries
a hunting horn, has a bow and arrows, dagger, and a sword that he keeps in great
condition.
 Short hair
 Brown face – tells the readers that he spends a great deal of time outside
 Forester – for the Knight
 Woodcrafter
 St. Christopher medal (silver) - Therefore he is the patron saint of travelers.
Nun (Prioress):
 2nd in command at the convent
 Tries to be dainty – actually a very large woman with a huge forehead, an elegant
nose, and petite, red lips
 Quirky actions – sings through her nose, speaks incorrect French, and eats very
carefully to the point that she doesn’t spill a drop
 Tries to seem courtly – which are not the usual actions of a nun (religious figure)
1
 Has a big heart for animals – would cry if she sees a mouse in a trap – feeds her
hounds flesh – how does she treat the sick and the poor? (Vow of Poverty)
 Elegantly dressed
 String of coral beads with a pendant that says “Amor Vincit Omnia”…”Love
Conquers All” – suggests that she is infatuated with romantic love verses religious
love of God – where are her rosary beads?
 To be a religious figure, readers could mistake her for a lady rather than a church
official
 Was accompanied by another nun and three priests – entourage
Monk:
 Manly man
 Favorite past time is hunting – monks were forbidden to leave the monastery
 Gorgeous horses & greyhounds – vow of poverty? – material possessions
 He is a lot like the nun – his actions are not like a religious figure – hunter,
overfed, expensively-dressed in fur and gold jewelry, and a cultivator of
expensive habits
 Willingly admits that he doesn’t live a traditional religious life of hard work,
study, and fasting – he claims that he is a “modern” man and does not like the old
traditions
 He does not slave away over books
 Physical appearance: fat, bald, greasy, with eyes that roll in is head (sign of
impatience and lust for food and women)
 Satire of religious figures – lives the life of luxury and ease verse deprivation and
hard work
Friar:
 Very much like the nun and the monk – not very pious (devout, religious)
 Wanton - meaningless
 His sins are more reprehensible because friars, more than any other religious
group, were pledged to a life
 Licensed to beg in certain regions - Earn money by hearing confessions or
administering the sacraments
 Couldn’t own property – these were the only means of supporting themselves
 Traveled around and seduced women - Must marry off these women to pay for the
virginity he has taken from them
 Keeps his pockets full of baubles (pins and pocket-knives) to give away to young
wives and earn their favor
 Could convince a widow to give away her last penny
 Earned far more than he needed – life of luxury
 Sell’s penances (Church’s forgiveness)
 Double-lined, brand new robe
 Inappropriate activities – hangs out with wealthy landowners, barmaids,
noblewomen, and tavern owners; He sees no reason to hang out with the poor and
the sick – there was no money in that!
2
 Excels in singing competitions and debate, resolving disputes at “love days” and
court days.
 Chaucer tells the readers that this is not a proper occupation.
3