canterbury tales

What do people want to do when spring comes?

Go on a long pilgrimage

Where specifically do the English people want to go and why?

To head for Canterbury and visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Beckett, a martyred archbishop murdered in his own Cathedral. They go to express their sorrows, their troubles, and pray for better.

What is the name of the inn where the pilgrims meet?

The Tabard

How many pilgrims does the narrator claim he meets at the inn?

29

Author?

Geoffrey Chaucer

Where was Chaucer born?

London

Chaucer is called the what?

"Father of English Literature/Poetry"

What language were Chaucer's stories written in?

English vernacular

Where does the story take place?

1st meet at the Tabard Inn in Southwark, London.

In which season and month does the story take place?

April; Spring

\-Old-fashioned

\-Pays no attention to his appearance

\-Loves ideals (prowess fidelity, etc.)

the knight

"Ladies' man"

\-Locks of curly hair

\-Tall, attractive, and robust

the squire

Servant to the knight and squire

\-Wore a medal of St. Christopher on his chest

\-Had a hunting horn that dangled over his shoulder

the yeomen

\-Simple smile

\-Clean looking, graceful, and entertaining

\-Had little dogs she fed with roasted flesh, milk, or white bread

\-Glass-grey eyes, smallmouth (soft and red), and big forehead

the prioress

\-Dainty and aged.

\--

\-Respectful and all demonstrate holy means.

\--

\-Both are loyal to religion; display obedience.

the nun and the three priests

\-Plump figure \n -Clear bald spot; so shiny, Chaucer describes it as a "looking-glass" \n -The monk's face is also shiny with a greasy appearance \n -Prominent, glossy eyeballs like the rest of his facial features \n -While he should be fasting, he is not \n -Well-fed and with a large appetite.

the monk

\-Beloved and mellow \n -Charming in appearance and character \n -Well-dressed and polite \n -Pale with some immoral qualities \n -Twinkling, wondrous eyes and a bright mind \n -Dressed himself more as a pope or a doctor \n -Wears a cape where he has "knives and double-breasted pins" to give to young women.

the friar

\-Forking beard \n -Motley dress, or a dress of colorful patterns \n -Fashionable attire-- demonstrates his wealth. \n -Wore Flemish beaver hat and buckled boots \n -Stately in administration, loans, bargains, and negotiation.

the merchant

\-Landowner of the free + member of the nobility \n -Fulfills obligation and hospitality \n -Always has food and drinks ready to be given to people at any time \n -Beliefs in Epicurus taught him the way to happiness was through pleasure- seen through hospitality and food \n -Long, white beard.

The Franklin

\-Priests or religious leader, but was hardly religious \n -A scholar from Oxford who loved to learn + spent money on new books instead of clothing \n -He was considered poor; borrowed money from friends to pay for his learning \n -Taught others about his studies + was considered a philosopher \n -Appeared hollow + his coat looked worn out.

the oxford cleric

\-A judge/lawyer of the high courts \n -Respected by all for his wise sayings \n -Had every case memorized from the time of King William

the sergeant at law

Hat and accessories dealer

The Haberdasher

Adds colors to clothes and fabrics

The Dyer

Makes items out of wood

The Carpenter

Makes items out of fabric

The Weaver

Rug/tapestry maker

The Carpet-maker

\-Known for cooking with great flavor \n -Notable dishes include soup, pie, and boiled chicken \n -The greatest dish is his blancmange, a dessert from Europe \n -Hurt his knee but still willing to cook for many \n -Of the working middle class

the cook

\-Came from Dartmouth + rode a horse \n -Shipman \n -Wore a gown with a dagger on a lanyard \n -Would ignore his conscience \n -Steal wine from other ships \n -A hard fighter and would defeat the enemy \n -Did not care when it came to pledges and promises \n -Working middle class

the skipper

\-Speaks well + extremely educated \n -Knew a lot of astrology + greek mythology (god of medicine, Aesculapius, and many other gods) \n -Easily diagnoses and prescribes people \n -Healthy and conservative with how he eats \n -Doesn't read the Bible much; middle class \n -Likes his job mostly because of great money (loves gold) \n -Uses medieval practices such as bloodletting.

the doctor

\-Seamstress \n -Had been married five times + lots of affairs \n -Very religious + only married her husband in a Church \n -Has been to Jerusalem three times \n -Had wide gapped teeth and enjoyed ridding horses \n -Knows the oldest dances; likes expensive things \n -Likes to talk a lot \n -Bath = rich part of England; represents the upper class

the woman of bath

\-Poor but rich in holiness and thought \n -Preaches and teaches the Gospel to the community \n -Gives to the poor even though he is poor himself \n -Charitable and selfless \n -Looks after his sheep to make sure they are safe

the parson

\-The Parson's brother \n -Does any work that needs to be done \n -Works through God; humble and ideal worker \n -Rides on a mare

the plowman

\-Strong, broad, and physical \n -Has a long red beard with a wart on the tip of his nose that sprouts red hairs \n -Nostrils and mouth are wide \n -Carries a sword and bagpipes that he plays as they leave town \n -Wears a white coat with a blue hood

the miller

\-Purchases food for the lawyers at the Inner Temple \n -Illiterate \n -Can outsmart his masters even though he cannot read or write.

the manciple

\-An old man who has grown rich from stealing money from people \n -Smart + never been caught for his actions \n -Wore overcoat and carried a knife with him \n -Thought to come from Norfolk

the reeve

\-Ugly man that children were afraid of (although he was actually king) \n -A servant who knew the secrets of the diocese + could blackmail anyone in it to do what he wanted.

the summoner

\-Rode with the summoner \n -Young and had long blonde hair, big eyes, and wore a cap on his head with a holy relic sewn into it \n -Sold fake relics to people which made him seem like a good person \n -Scammer \n -Sang very well + he sang loudly quite often.

the pardoner

\-A "manly" man + was very merry-hearted \n -Bold and loud but he was also very wise \n -Asked if the people would do one thing for him on their way to Canterbury: each must tell two stories on the way there and two stories on the way back. \n -Once they reach his tavern again they will tell him their stories and he will be the judge of whose story is the best.

the host

\-The narrator of the story \n -Tells the stories of all the pilgrims he meets in Canterbury \n -Like a modern-day narrator or book writer.

chaucer