Bcanterbury Tales, the General Prologue

Name______Date______English 12

bCanterbury Tales, “The General Prologue”

You will find below all the pilgrims mentioned in “The General Prologue.” Be able to answer the following:

1. How does Chaucer characterize each one? Offer two details with line numbers to support this (include figures of speech or Cicero’s aspects of characterization). 2. Describe Chaucer’s attitude toward each pilgrim. 3. Rank this person in the chart at the end of this handout.

Pilgrim Chaucer’s Two Details Chaucer’s Characterization Attitude The Knight brave 1. 46, 74 Likes him (father) courage Lines 42-80 noble wise, rust 2. 64-65 stains with blood Squire Young, lover, 1. 82 Likes him (son) lustful, vain, curly hair, short tunic, 2. 101 Spent $ for red flowered top, clothes feminine, sing, Lines 81-102 plays the flute, athletic, dance, fun, loyal to dad. Yeoman Well- equipped, 1. 108 Don’t (page 97 pic) forester, not know. only talkative, well 2. 121 described Spent $ on dressed, with a by equipment sword, works for appearance Lines 103-121 the squire and knight. Prioress=Nun Acting like a lady 1. 143-part of the Does not Lines 122-168 of the court, court respect her dainty, overly but thinks dramatic, well 2. 162-wears jewelry she is mannered, speak funny. French incorrectly, large forehead, vain, under grown=over weight, wears jewelry (love conquers all) Monk Monks usually live 1. 196- He spared no Satirizes Lines 169-211 in poverty but he is for expense him. selfish, He is a hypocrite, 2. 180- took modern supposed to study world more and work the land spacious but doesn’t. He loves to hunt=has horses and greyhounds. He has fur lined cloak, gold jewelry. Boots=leather

Friar Mocks the 1. 227-easy man in Satirizes Lines 212-279 teaching of Christ, penance 228 him. hangs out at the Not a true bar with rich, well 2. 242-Neck was priest. kept, jolly, and whiter than a Likes monk gets trust and then flower better then he takes advantage Friar. of you. Hears confessions for a fee. Fixed up man young pregnant woman. (Sings), overweight. Merchant Broke, proclaims 1.293- he was an Does not Lines that he is clever, excellent fellow like him 280=294 he thought he knew about 2.284= He told of his commercial trade, opinions and confident pursuits. Clerk- Intelligent, loved 1. 309, 294, 298 Likes and forever learning, lean, respects student spends his $ on 2. 318, 313 him but Lines 295-318 learning & books needs a job but his horse is so that thin, no job, annoys him unworldly Sergeant-at- Good lawyer, very 1. 321 Respects Law =lawyer knowledgeable, him but he Lines 319-340 wise, fair, 2. 322(discrete) is not as everyone benefits, busy as he good lawyer to 3. 335- draft the claims. higher for defense. deeds

Franklin- Wealthy 1. 343 Likes his Lines 341- landowner, liked generosity 370 to have fun, 2. 345 but not generous, hedonist impressed (self-pleasure), that he only house is always shares open, lives for among his pleasure, party friends. every night, white beard and red face, fired cooks Haberdasher, New middle class, 1. 374 He likes Carpenter, new $, well them, Weaver, dressed, 2. 383 nothing bad Dyer, accessories, to say but Tapestry women wanted to does not Maker be called madam respect Lines 371- them 388 Cook- Great cook but has 1.392- distinguished Likes him Lines 389- an ulcer on his by his flavor but pity’s 397 knee. Great food him for his but not eating it. 2.395- Ulcer ulcer, won’t eat his food Shipman- Sociopath, 1.402 & 403- dagger He respects Lines 398-420 excellent sailor, that he is steals, no 2.408- nicer rule of good sailor conscience, makes conscience but he is them walk the mean, like plank right at the a pirate shore of their home. Doctor of Doesn’t know 1.Line 448- didn’t Doesn’t Medicine- about medicine read the bible much like him he Lines 421-454 and surgery, is driven by studies the stars, 2.Line 449- blood on greed he made money his clothing from the black 3. 454- special love plague, not a good of gold doctor, does not have good hygiene, greedy, and deceitful Wife of Bath- 5 husband and 1.470- five husband Chaucer Lines 487-538 other lovers when at the church door does not she was younger. like her but 1st feminist Promiscuous, gap 2.477- well- traveled creates a tooth= Lustful, she strong has made her own female. $, overdressed, likes to travel, heavy, handsome, loud, fearless, outspoken, skilled seamstress Parson- Preaches the 1.498- gives to the Likes HIM Lines 487-535 word of God, will poor *GOOD**** help the poor and * sick, model priest, 2.532- never a humble, better priest than him Plowman- Poor, works with 1. Line 542 honest Likes HIM Lines 539-555 dung, not proud, worker *GOOD**** pays taxes, pride * in his work, 2. Line 543- peace not arrogant and perfect charity

3. Line 549 Miller- Short, brawny, 1. Line- 571- wart Doesn’t Lines 561-584 violent, red bread, like him not favorable, wart 2. Line- 576- with hair, buffoon compared to a fox and a pig, told 3. Line- 578- stole filthy stories, grain disgusting, led pilgrims out of town with bag pipes, a buffoon & Vulger

Manciple- He cannot read 1. Line 604- out He likes Lines 585- and write. He smart lawyers him 604- from a working with 30 law school lawyers and is 2. Line 592, 593- more never rash knowledgeable then them. Lived debt free, live frugally, smart Reeve- He was carpenter 1. 612 NO auditor Does not Lines 605- when he was could gain a like him, 640 young, he would point on him feared take the estate owners cattle and Line- 623- compared keep them, stole to the Black plague animals, no one would confront him, give the animals back as a gift, people fear him, lovely house,

Summoner- Ugly, scabby 1. Line 644- hot He does Lines 641-688 eyebrows, puss on and lecherous not like his face, corrupt him soul, garlic and 2. Line 666- no leek breath, loud better fellow drunk, alcoholic, (satire) allow young people to have lovers if you paid him. Pardoner- Yellow stringy 1. Line 713- He does Lines 689-734 hair, compared to a not like rat, goat and 2. Line 732- him (worst) rabbit, bulging honey tongue eyeballs, no hair on his chin, sells relics and claimed they were real, conman, gift of speech Host- 1. Lines 767 page 112 2.

Best Pilgrims Worst Pilgrims 1. Parson 1. ReeveReeve 2. Plowman 2. Summoner 3. Manciple 3. Pardoner ********* 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6.