prolouge

Major Pilgrims / Key Traits

• Knight: Noble, humble, fought in crusades → ideal medieval knight.
  
  

• Squire: Young, romantic, talented.
  
  

• Yeoman: Skilled servant; proud of craft.
  
  

• Prioress (Madame Eglantyne): Social ambition > religion; sentimental.
  
  

• Monk: Worldly, loves hunting & fine clothing.
  
  

• Friar (Hubert): Greedy, prefers rich company.
  
  

• Merchant: Fancy, in debt → appearance vs. reality.
  
  

• Oxford Cleric: Loves learning & books, poor.
  
  

• Sergeant at Law: Wise but pretends busy.
  
  

• Franklin: Wealthy, loves food & hospitality.
  
  

• Guildsmen: Proud tradesmen; wives want nobility → rising middle class.
  
  

• Cook: Skilled but imperfect (ulcer).
  
  

• Shipman: Ruthless, steals wine.
  
  

• Doctor: Skilled, but greedy.
  
  

• Wife of Bath: Bold, experienced; challenges gender roles.
  
  

• Parson: Holy, virtuous; true Christian.
  
  

• Plowman: Honest, hardworking.
  
  

• Miller: Cheats customers; crude; lower-class corruption.
  
  

• Manciple: Smarter than lawyers with money.
  
  

• Reeve: Irritable, steals from boss.
  
  

• Summoner: Corrupt, ugly, lecherous.
  
  

• Pardoner: Hypocritical, sells fake relics.
  
  

• Host (Harry Bailey): Cheerful, proposes contest.

Themes

• Church corruption vs. true virtue
  
  

• Social class & satire
  
  

• Appearance vs. reality
  
  

• Human nature: greed, pride, love, honesty