1. Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales

2. Chaucer, the pilgrim

3. Chaucer:
England
Middle English

4. Events During Chaucer’s Life
Black Plague killed nearly half the population of England
100 Years War with France
Peasants’ Rebellion (remember Robin Hood)
Corruption in the Church (Catholic)
Power struggle between Pope and King

5. Organization of the Tales
30 Pilgrims from all walks of life, both secular and religious--from Parson and Plowman to Knight and Prioress
Each pilgrim was to tell 4 tales: 2 going and 2 coming
Chaucer died before completion

6. Pilgrimage to Cathedral at Canterbury
Religious trip to holy shrine of Saint Thomas a Beckett
Spring is a time for religious renewal
Spring is also a time to get outside, have fun, take a trip, be glad you are alive. Plants grow, trees bloom, animals make babies.
Left from the Tabard Inn in Southwark,near London

7. Knight An excellent man
fought in many wars and Crusades--fought for church and for king--fought against infidel
Honored, good warrior, killed many
Gentle, mannerly, kind, “meek as a girl”
Rides a good horse, gear is plain
Has rust from mail on tunic

8. Squire About twenty, son of Knight
Been to war with father, served well
Has women on his mind
Fancy shirt, plays flute
Stays up all night chasing women
“Gets no more sleep than a nightingale.”

9. Yeoman Dressed all in green Knows his woods lore Works for knight
Takes great pride in his gear
On chest is a silver image of Saint Christopher

10. Prioress Sings mass through her nose
Very neat eater, manners are important
Reaches for meat with “comely air”
Tries to imitate court ways
Cries over dead mice; cares for her little dogs
Fancy rosary with brooch-- “All things are subject unto love.”

11. Monk
HUNTER
“Modern monk”: sees no reason to say in monastery praying and being poor
Has fine horses and dogs
Gray fur on sleeves
Bridle jingles “like a chapel bell”
“His face was glistening.”

12. Friar A “gay dog”, merry, jolly
“Many a girl was married by his doing And at his own cost it was often done.”
Hears confessions and assigns penance, give him money and he will give you light penance
Would take the last money of a poor widow

13. Merchant A forked beard and a beaver hat
Figured coat and handsome boots
Pompous
Seemed very successful, but actually. . .IN DEBT!

14. Oxford Student Skinny, hollow, somber looking Threadbare coat
Always broke because he never worked for a living
Always borrowing money for books
“Gladly would he learn and gladly teach.”

15. Lawyer Cunning and discreet
Deserving to be held in awe--or so he seemed
“Seemed much busier than he was.”

16. Franklin Wealthy country gentleman Owns large country estate
Loves the good life
Especially loves good food: his table is always set
An epicurean

17. Guildsmen and Their Cook
Guildsmen are from new rising middle class
Cook--a good cook, but a gross sore on his leg

18. Skipper/Ship’s Captain
Very good at what he does
But mean and tough: Sent many a man to the fishes
Can’t ride a horse very well

19. Physician Well educated/read all the experts, both recent and ancient
Yet Chaucer says he does not consult the Holy Writ (Word of God)
Physician has a special love for gold

20. Wife of Bath Deaf in one ear Had five husbands and more lovers
Fancy head gear on Sundays
Excellent weaver
Bold and brash
Plump in red stockings, skirt hitched up
“All remedies of love she knew by name For she had all the tricks of that old game

21. Parson
A true man of God
Would do anything, go to any length, would give away all he had to help people both rich and poor
Walked, because he had given away horse
“For first he did and afterward he taught.”

22. Plowman Brother of the parson A good man who loved and served God
“He loved God with his whole heart and all the while And his neighbor as himself”
He and brother show good in and outside of church
Spends lot of time shoveling manure

23. Miller A tough man, big and muscular A wrestler
Black hairs coming out of his nose
Like all millers, he cheated his customers, but he didn’t cheat too much!

24. Manciple A buyer and a seller Very good at his job
Made money for his customers
Made money for himself by skimming, but people continued to hire him because he brought them a profit

25. Reeve Slender with a fiery temper Overseer for an estate
Knew all the tricks of cheating so was much feared by suppliers
Rode at the rear of the group--Why

26. Summoner Red faced, pocked, pimpled; heady eyes
Lecherous and scary looking
Children feared him
If he liked a scoundrel, he would let him off.
Power to summon people to church court. Much feared, especially by young people.

27. Pardoner Has bogus religious relics for sale
Sings “Come hither, love, to me.”
Sounds like a small goat.
Eyes like a rabbit.
Never had a beard and never will.
“I think he was a gelding or a mare.”
Sells pardons for forgiveness of sins.

28. Canterbury Tales can be judged from several view points
An entertaining story of a group on a pilgrimage
A story representative of 14th century English society--all levels except nobility
A literary banquet--many stories of many different types with complex characterizations and intertwined themes
Vivid, complex and subtle as characters and themes are revealed.

29. A framed story
Pilgrimage is a wonderful device (excuse) for stories of all types and characters of all types
We get a range of humanity expressing different facets of the theme of “LOVE”
Stories match the personality of the teller
Origins of stories already in existence

30. Setting
How does the trip in the spring (April) fit the themes of love and its many aspects?

31. The Host: Harry Bailey Large man Protruding eyes
Frank, wise, manly, merry, friendly
Organized the pilgrims into a group who would tell tales and get a prize. He calls on next story teller, etc.
Pilgrims agree that he will be the judge.