The Canterbury Tales By Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer Born between 1340-1344 into middle class family in the wine trade Worked as a page exposed him to Latin & French Worked for court traveling through Europe especially Italy Wrote little until he was in his 30s Died in 1400, buried at Westminster Abbey

Chaucer’s World All power filtered down from the King Nobles Subjects Commoners Place in society was based on wealth Each level of society had rights & privileges but also duties and obligations

Canterbury Tales Series of stories connected by a frame which unifies the whole work (framework story) Frame is a trip to Canterbury Cathedral All classes would travel together Make pilgrimages to religious places for cures or forgiveness Spring Break

Feudal Group Knight Squire Yeoman Franklin Miller Reeve Plowman

The Knight Description:. Physical:. -possessed fine horses The Knight Description: Physical: -possessed fine horses -wore a fustian tunic stained with smudges from his armor (lines 75-78) Personality: -“He was a true, a perfect gentle- knight” (line 74) -“was a “distinguished knight”(66) who “had done nobly in his sovereign’s war” (47) Analysis: Social Status: Vassal (middle upper) Chaucer’s Opinion: Chaucer seems to have great respect for the knight, essentially saying that he was the living example of chivalry. He appreciates that he was a wise and modest man through all of his battles. Sammi Levy

Urban group Physician Lawyer Manciple Merchant Shipman Tradesmen Cook Wife of Bath Innkeeper

Wife of Bath Janay Washington Description Somewhat deaf (466) Dresses heavenly, with a large hat upon her head(463-464) She had five husbands (470) She had gapped teeth (478) Large hips and her heels spurred under that. (483) She rode a horse and traveled to many places: Jerusalem, rivers, Rome, Boulogne and many other places. Analysis In Chaucer’s opinion he seems to think she is knowledgeable He thinks greatly of her and describes her in a good and positive way. Janay Washington

Church group Middle Ages church corrupt Parson Summoner Monk Prioress Friar Pardoner Cleric

Prioress Sam Dowling Description: A Nun Known as Madam Eglantyne Had a way of smiling that was very simple and coy Spoke in French and went to stratford-atte-bowe Pleasant, and friendly, compassionate dignified with a kind of grace Had great manners, clean Analysis : Social Class: She acted upper class (clergy). Chaucer’s Opinion: He thought she seemed fake because she acted high class. Sam Dowling

Hubert the Friar Description: Social Class: Sweet tongued and merry (260) Was a pale man, and seemed small, but he could beat almost anyone in a physical fight (242-243) Was a man of the church; however, he avoided beggars (246) Had affairs with girls, then married them off to cover it up (216-217) Social Class: Clergyman/ Upper Middle Class Chaucer’s Bias: The friar is shown as the trickster, coming across as a friar but always having an alternative motive, be it money or girls. Basically described as the medieval con artist. Aaron Chapman

Parson He was poor He preached Christ’s Gospel Followed what he believed in. Never asked for money Always helping people Never judged people Always had a mission Chaucer’s opinion- He was a good person who always made good choices and never begged. He was always decent and kind- hearted. Amber Rhodes

Pardoner Louis Muccio Rides with the Summoner.(689) Has yellow hair like wax.(695) Wears a little cap but no hood.(700-703) Has bulging eyes like a hare.(704) Sweet voice like a goat.(708) Has no beard or facial hair only the smoothest chin.(709-710) Liar. (725-726) And a great singer. (731-735) He is of the middle-ish class/clergy man. Chaucer thought him an important character for his personality and vocal abilities but no good because he was a liar and a bag of hot air. Louis Muccio