Canterbury Tales
Prologue: The Knight-The Franklin Review
Background Information
During the Middle Ages, the church had become extremely corrupt because when Thomas
Becket was martyred, the people began to favor the church over the government. Once people began to
favor the church, some of the clergymen and clergywomen took advantage of the people and asked for
indulgencies and the like. Much of The Prologue pokes fun at the people who work for the church
because of this.
Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales about 29 pilgrims (including himself as one of the
pilgrims (and narrator)) who travel to Canterbury from the Tabard Inn in Southwark in April on a
religious pilgrimage to see Becket’s tomb. To entertain themselves and win a contest, the pilgrims all
agree to tell 4 tells apiece on the way to Canterbury and back. The pilgrimage works as a framework to
introduce all of his characters who represent all walks of life from the learned to the ignorant, the rich to
the poor, and the righteous to the rogue.
Chaucer was primarily a diplomat; however, he spent his free time writing poems. The first
poem he wrote was called Troilus and Criseyde – a brilliant tragic romance that can be seen as a
precursor to many of the plays that William Shakespeare wrote. He also composed poems for his lord’s
wife, such as The Book of Duchess.
Read the following statements and identified the character being described.
1. This character used all of the money he received to buy books.
2. This character wore a “saucy brace.”
3. This character wore a Flemish beaver hat.
4. This character wore a golden brooch with “Love Conquers All” inscribed on it.
5. This character is described as less busy than he seems to be.
6. This character is described as perfect and gentle.
7. This character was a servant to the knight.
8. This character owns greyhounds that were used for hunting.
9. This character dressed stylishly in red and white.
10. This character’s horse was as thin as a rake and his overcoat was bare.
11. This character is described as selfless because he fed anyone who came to his table.
12. This character talks a big game about knowing about business – really he was in debt.
13. This character was known to give gifts to pretty girls.
14. This character was described as “not undergrown.”
15. This character is out all night – “he slept as little as a nightingale.”
16. This character knew court cases back to William the Conqueror’s time.
17. This character wore a fustian tunic that was stained and smudged.
18. This character prayed for his friends in return for their financial donations.
19. This character resembles Santa Claus.
20. This character should be a member of a cloister but chooses to “play” instead.
21. This character wanted nothing to with the “scum and gutter dwellers.”
22. This character has a forking beard and wore a “motley dress.”
23. This character is obsessed with food and sensual delights.
24. This character’s job was a limiter.
25. This character is gently criticized for a lack of commitment to the church, eating habits, and giving
dogs nice food instead of to the poor.
26. This character could draw, dance, sing, and recite.
27. This character resembles Robin Hood.
28. This character’s robe is latched with a gold pin in the shape of a lover’s knot.
29. This character wore a “homely parti-colored coat.”
30. This character is the only one who is described as a father.