Study Guide for Canterbury Tales Prologue test:

Chaucer’s Purpose

Social Commentary through satire on contemporary issues.

Canterbury Tales

A poem, not a novel, despite its length.

Frame Story

A narrative structure featuring stories within a story.

Father of English Poetry

Title given to Geoffrey Chaucer.

Middle English

The language in which the Canterbury Tales were written.

Middle Ages

The historical period during which the Canterbury Tales were composed.

The Black Death

A plague that contributed to a dark outlook on life in the Middle Ages.

Pilgrimage

A religious journey to Canterbury to honor Saint Thomas Becket.

Direct Characterization

The narrator's explicit description of characters.

Indirect Characterization

The portrayal of characters through their actions and dialogue.

April Pilgrimage

The time of year favored for pilgrimages due to pleasant weather.

Tabard Inn

The meeting place for the pilgrims before their journey.

Storytelling Contest

The host's suggestion to entertain the pilgrims during their travels.

Knight

A character representing chivalry and honor.

Squire

The Knight's son, embodying youthful ambition and romance.

Nun (Prioress)

A character who represents the Church's corruption and social pretensions.

Monk

A character who neglects monastic duties for worldly pleasures.

Friar

A corrupt church figure who exploits his position for personal gain.

Parson

A virtuous clergyman who embodies true Christian values.

Plowman

A hardworking, honest farmer and brother of the Parson.

Summoner

A church official known for his corrupt practices.

Pardoner

A character who sells indulgences and represents church corruption.

Church Corruption

The critique of the Church's moral failings in the Prologue.

Roman Catholic Church

A powerful institution during the Middle Ages, as depicted in the Tales.

The Pardoner’s Tale

A story that illustrates themes of greed and morality.

The Wife of Bath’s Tale

A narrative exploring gender roles and female empowerment.