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"Canterburry Tales, " "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," and "Arthur D'Morte"
The Host (Innkeeper, Harry Bailey)
Pilgrims are led to the shrine
The reward for telling the best tale is dinner on him
The Knight
Highest Social standing
He is described as a nobleman and a chivalric figure, someone who has earned great honor through his actions as a warrior.
Loves chivalry, being a good person, and traveling
The Knight’s simple, modest appearance reflects his humble and virtuous nature, emphasizing his inner nobility over outward display.
The qualities that exemplify the ideals of chivalry include honor, bravery, courtesy, loyalty, generosity, and respect for women and the weak.
The Summoner
physical appearance reflects his inner corruption, emphasizing his moral and spiritual flaws
Chaucer satirizes the Summoner by portraying him as a corrupt, lecherous figure who abuses his position for personal gain
Hates religious figures
The Pardoner
corrupt and hypocritical (like the Monk and Friar), using his religious position for personal profit rather than for spiritual devotion
Takes advantage of the simple country priest by selling fake relics and indulgences, convincing the priest to buy them for his church in exchange for money, exploiting the priest's lack of knowledge and trust in his supposed holiness
betrays the trust placed in him as a spiritual figure.
The Miller
Described as large, brawny, and somewhat brutish, with a "strong" build and a "wart on his nose" that adds to his crude, vulgar image
rough, uncouth nature
a bawdy, dishonest character
Values treasures and money
The Wife of Bath
Has gone on many pilgrimages to seek adventure, gain new experiences, and assert her independence, as well as to find opportunities for marriage and sexual freedom.
The narrator is most struck by the Wife of Bath’s boldness, her wide experience with marriage, and her confident, unapologetic attitude toward her sexuality and personal authority.
She challenges traditional gender roles and societal expectations of women in the Middle Ages, asserting her autonomy and sexual freedom, which makes her a striking and unconventional character
has an outgoing personality and is an expert on love
her numerous marriages and her assertive nature suggest that she has actively sought out experience and authority in matters of relationships
The Oxford Clerk
presented as an idealized character, depicted as deeply devoted to his studies, humble, and wise, embodying the medieval stereotype of a scholarly, moral scholar who values knowledge over material wealth
The Prioress
she is a nun
her priorities may be more focused on social appearance and worldly concerns than true spiritual devotion
her pet dogs and their rich diets highlights her concern for luxury and status, contrasting with the selflessness expected of a nun
The Monk
more focused on worldly pleasures and status than on the strict religious duties
his attitude toward the rules of his order is one of disregard, as he prefers a life of luxury and freedom over asceticism and discipline
his life is different from that of a typical monk because he rejects the traditional vow of poverty and asceticism, choosing instead a life of indulgence, hunting, and fine clothing, which contrasts with the expected humility and simplicity of monastic life
Chaucer’s attitude toward the Monk is one of subtle criticism, as he portrays him as a hypocrite who flouts the rules of his order, valuing material pleasures over spiritual duties, yet Chaucer also mocks him with humor, highlighting the gap between his behavior and the ideal of a true monk
The Doctor
The Doctor's friends are the Apothecary, with whom he shares financial interests, and the Host, with whom he travels on the pilgrimage.
The basis of the Doctor’s friendship with the Apothecary is their mutual desire for profit, as they collaborate in selling medicines and benefiting from their clients' ailments
The Doctor’s diet is significant because it reflects his focus on rationality and health, as he avoids excess and eats in moderation, suggesting a disciplined, methodical approach to life that contrasts with the more indulgent behavior of other characters
The Doctor's love of gold is satirically reflected in how he prioritizes wealth over genuine medical care, using his knowledge to exploit patients for personal profit
The Green Knight
a mysterious, supernatural figure who appears at King Arthur’s court
completely green from head to toe
He challenges the knights to a beheading game, where his own life is at stake, showcasing his courage and strange sense of honor.
he ultimately reveals himself as a test for Sir Gawain, symbolizing the themes of bravery, integrity, and the natural world
Sir Gawain
Sir Gawain is a noble and honorable knight of the Round Table, known for his courage and strong sense of duty
He accepts the Green Knight's challenge, demonstrating bravery, but also faces internal struggles with fear and temptation
Throughout his journey, Gawain learns valuable lessons about humility, honesty, and the complexities of human nature
King Arthur
a legendary and noble ruler, known for his wisdom, fairness, and leadership of the Round Table
deeply respected by his knights, but his reign is sometimes challenged by external forces and internal conflicts
Despite his strength, Arthur’s character is marked by moments of vulnerability, especially in the face of personal and moral dilemmas
Merlin
a wise and powerful wizard, known for his magical abilities and guidance of King Arthur
serves as Arthur’s mentor
Merlin’s wisdom and foresight are key to the success of Arthur’s reign
What role does the Catholic Church play in the Middle Ages everywhere in Europe?
served as the main religious authority and influencing nearly every aspect of life
provided spiritual guidance, education, and moral structure
the Pope held significant political and social power
controlled vast amounts of land and wealth
its teachings shaped laws, cultural practices, and scientific thought
Chaucer was born into which niche of society?
middle class, specifically the merchant class
he was able to rise in social class through his work as a public servant, diplomat, and writer
What did Chaucer’s choice of a pilgrimage to Canterbury as a frame for his most ambitious work permit?
allowed him to include a diverse range of characters from different social classes and backgrounds,
enabled him to explore a variety of perspectives, voices, and stories in one unified narrative
provided a unique opportunity for social commentary and satire
Which is the only level of society in medieval England not represented among the pilgrims?
the nobility and royalty
Who is the narrator of the Canterbury Tales? Why is that significant?
Who: an unnamed, fictional character, often referred to as the "Chaucerian narrator," who is a member of the pilgrim group.
Significance: allows Chaucer to present a first-person perspective while maintaining a degree of narrative distance
The narrator's observations and comments add a layer of irony and satire to the work
the narrator's position as a participant in the pilgrimage gives him a unique opportunity to act as a mediator between the audience and the diverse voices of the pilgrims
Who are the three serious and admirable characters of the Canterbury Tales? Why are they admirable?
The Knight — his honor and bravery in battle
The Parson — his sincere piety and dedication to his parishioners
The Plowman — his hard work, honesty, and selfless devotion to others
The cook has an ulcer on his knee, the summoner has acne, and the miller has warts. What is the significance of these maladies of outward appearance?
they symbolize the moral corruption and inner flaws of these characters, suggesting that their physical imperfections reflect their unethical behavior or flawed nature
Wife of Bath’s Tale
talks about her five husbands, all of which she has has varying degrees of control over
believes that women should have sovereignty in marriage
uses her experience to argue that women know how to best manage relationships
her tale is about a knight who must discover what women desire most in order to avoid a death sentence
the knight learns that women want control over their own lives
he grants his wife the power to choose his fate (whether she is ugly + loyal or pretty + disloyal), which makers her happy, so she becomes pretty + loyal = happily ever after
The Knight’s Tale
two knights, Arcite and Palamon, are captured while fighting for Athens
they fall in love with the same women, Emily, while in captivity
after being freed, they agree to duel for her hand in marraige
the gods intervene, with Jupiter deciding the outcome of the battle
Arctie wins but dies in a fall
Emily marries Palamon with Arctie’s blessing
What is the significance of the Battle of Hastings?
it was a decisive conflict between William the Conqueror and King Harold II
William’s victory led to the Norman conquest of England and marked the beginning of Norman rule
caused a change in culture, language, and ruling class
What happens in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, when Gawain accepts the green belt and keeps its secret?
the lady of the castle gives it to Gawain, in exchange for three kisses, saying it will protect him from harm
he keeps it a secret, not telling his host about it
when Gawain faces the Green Knight, the Knight reveals he is actually Lord Bertilak
the whole challenge was a test of Gawain’s honesty and honor
What is the nick in his neck (the scratch) punishment for?
the punishment for failing to fully honor his agreement of honesty with Lord Bertilak
Describe the “Green Chapel.” What is its significance?
Description: a mysterious, wild place in the forest
described as cave-like, overgrown, and covered in moss and greenery
Significance: it’s where Gawain faces the consequences of him keeping the green belt a secret
What is the significance of Arthur’s dreams on the night before the battle?
Dream: he and his knights are struck down
foreshadows him impending doom and the fall of Camelot
reflects his fear and uncertainty about the battle
a sign of divine warning or fate, suggesting the end of Arthur’s rule is unavoidable
When does Arthur fight Mordred? What does this tell us about Arthur’s character?
When: the final battle after Mordred tries to take the throne
Character: sense of duty and honor — he fights to protect his kingdom, even if it means facing his own son and risking his life
Describe Arthur’s death, what kind of imagery is used?
after being fatally wounded, he asks Bedivere to through his sword, Excalibur, into the lake
Bedivere doesn’t want to, but eventually does
the lady of the lake catches it, marking the end of Arthur’s rule
the imagery is somber and final
What is the significance of the image of Excalibur being received into the lake by the arm?
symbolizes the end of Arthur’s reign and the passing of his power
the arm represents the supernatural and mystical nature of the sword, returning to the magical world
Arthur’s legacy with live on in legend
What does it say on Arthur’s tomb? What does that mean?
“Here lies Arthur, who was once king and will be again”
Meaning: Arthur’s reign has ended, but he may return one day when Britain needs him most
Arthur is a timeless, legendary figure, whose story will live on
Where does Guinevere die? Where is she buried? Why?
Death: convent of Amesbury
Buried: Glastonbury Abbey, next to Arthur
Why: Arthur and Guinevere were deeply connected and their bond endures, even after death
How does Lancelot die?
in retirement, after living as a monk
peacefully in a monastery
What do people say about Lancelot after he dies?
a tragic hero
he is remembered as a great knight
known for his bravery and skill
criticized for his affair with Guinevere
How does religion relate to the deaths of Guinevere and Lancelot? Why do you think Malory does that?
Guinevere becomes a nun and Lancelot spends his last years in a monastery, trying to atone for their sins
Malory does this to reflect the importance of repentance in medieval life (even with their mistakes, they seek forgiveness)
