““Prologue” Prologue” to to

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury TalesPurposePurpose

TermsTerms

Setting & NarratorSetting & Narrator

CharactersCharacters

ContestContest

PurposePurpose

Spring – rebirth, Pilgrimage to CanterburySpring – rebirth, Pilgrimage to Canterbury

Pay homage to the martyr Saint Thomas a Pay homage to the martyr Saint Thomas a BecketBecket

Tales characters create to pass the timeTales characters create to pass the time

PurposePurpose

Characters = various aspects of societyCharacters = various aspects of society

Presented in order of their rankPresented in order of their rank

Each pilgrim tells four storiesEach pilgrim tells four stories

TermsTerms

SatireSatire – a humorous writing or speech intended – a humorous writing or speech intended to point out errors, falsehoods, foibles, or to point out errors, falsehoods, foibles, or failings. It is written for the purpose of reforming failings. It is written for the purpose of reforming human behavior or human institutions.human behavior or human institutions.

PhysiognomyPhysiognomy - - Also called Also called anthroposopy. the the art of determining character or personal art of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the characteristics from the form or features of the body, esp. of the face. (dictionary. COM)body, esp. of the face. (dictionary. COM)

TermsTerms

Frame structure & Frame TaleFrame structure & Frame Tale – a story that – a story that provides a vehicle for the telling of other storiesprovides a vehicle for the telling of other stories

CharacterizationCharacterization – the use of literary – the use of literary techniques to create a character. Indirect & techniques to create a character. Indirect & Direct?Direct?

IronyIrony – a difference between appearance and – a difference between appearance and reality. reality.

TermsTerms

Dramatic ironyDramatic irony – something is known by the – something is known by the reader or audience but unknown to the reader or audience but unknown to the characterscharacters

Verbal ironyVerbal irony – a statement is made that implies – a statement is made that implies its oppositeits opposite

Situational ironySituational irony – an event occurs that violates – an event occurs that violates the expectations of the characters, the reader , the expectations of the characters, the reader , or the audience.or the audience.

Setting & NarratorSetting & Narrator

Southwark, The Tabbard InnSouthwark, The Tabbard Inn

29 travelers29 travelers

Narrator (+ 1) – meets travelers and will Narrator (+ 1) – meets travelers and will go on pilgrimage with themgo on pilgrimage with them

Offers descriptions of each of the travelersOffers descriptions of each of the travelers

Setting & NarratorSetting & Narrator

Will be repeating the tales of everyoneWill be repeating the tales of everyone

Apologizes for being “short of wit”Apologizes for being “short of wit”

Going to speak plainlyGoing to speak plainly

““The word should be as cousin to the The word should be as cousin to the deed” – Narrator quotes Platodeed” – Narrator quotes Plato

KnightKnight

An honored fighter…he always winsAn honored fighter…he always wins

Dress – shabby and stainedDress – shabby and stained

What do you think his attitude would be, What do you think his attitude would be, then?then?

SquireSquire

Son of the KnightSon of the Knight

20 yrs. Old20 yrs. Old

Danced, wrote poetry, sangDanced, wrote poetry, sang

Lover (“He slept as little as a nightingale”Lover (“He slept as little as a nightingale”

What is his motive for following his father?What is his motive for following his father?

What does he really enjoy doing?What does he really enjoy doing?

YeomanYeoman

With the Knight and the SquireWith the Knight and the Squire

Dress of the forester – bright green, Dress of the forester – bright green, geared up for huntinggeared up for hunting

Why might Chaucer add “I guess?”Why might Chaucer add “I guess?”

Nun, PrioressNun, Prioress

Mother Superior; had another Nun and 3 PriestsMother Superior; had another Nun and 3 PriestsFeigned knowing French – knowing French Feigned knowing French – knowing French would mean having statuswould mean having statusHow did she eat?How did she eat?Courtliness – politely or flatteringlyCourtliness – politely or flatteringlyCounterfeit courtly grace? - clumsyCounterfeit courtly grace? - clumsyPhysical Features? – fat, uglyPhysical Features? – fat, uglyJewelry? – bright and expensiveJewelry? – bright and expensiveAmor vincit omnia – Love conquers allAmor vincit omnia – Love conquers all

MonkMonk

Hunting regularlyHunting regularly

Strict with his religious duties? - “took the Strict with his religious duties? - “took the modern world’s more spacious way”modern world’s more spacious way”

Fashion – rich furs and gold; lover’s knot?Fashion – rich furs and gold; lover’s knot?

FriarFriar

Wanton – extravagant, unrestrainedWanton – extravagant, unrestrained

““knew taverns”knew taverns”

““giving each/Of his young women what he giving each/Of his young women what he could afford/Her” – fascinated with women could afford/Her” – fascinated with women (lustful)(lustful)

Good beggarGood beggar

Where is the money going?Where is the money going?

MerchantMerchant

Stately, rich in dressStately, rich in dress

““In solemn tones, he harped on his In solemn tones, he harped on his increase/Of capital” – talked about all of increase/Of capital” – talked about all of his assets (money)his assets (money)

““none knew he was in debt”none knew he was in debt”

What was the Merchant preoccupied with?What was the Merchant preoccupied with?

Oxford ClericOxford Cleric

Very skinny…sickly, weakVery skinny…sickly, weak

Couldn’t work in Church or outside of Couldn’t work in Church or outside of ChurchChurch

Studying and learningStudying and learning

What did he actually do with his time?What did he actually do with his time?

What should he be doing?What should he be doing?

Sergeant at the LawSergeant at the Law

LawyerLawyer

Wore silk, but on his belt (“a silken belt of Wore silk, but on his belt (“a silken belt of pin-stripe stuff”pin-stripe stuff”

““And he knew every statute off by rote” – And he knew every statute off by rote” – was very knowledgeable about the lawwas very knowledgeable about the law

““He was less busy than he seemed to be” He was less busy than he seemed to be” – feigning being busy…why?– feigning being busy…why?

FranklinFranklin

Landowner; dressed well (colorful)Landowner; dressed well (colorful)All were welcome in his home; Plenty of All were welcome in his home; Plenty of food – snapped at the cook if ever food – snapped at the cook if ever anything was less than perfectanything was less than perfectDagger and purse – some sort of Dagger and purse – some sort of threatening naturethreatening natureWhat is the contrast that exists in this What is the contrast that exists in this character?character?Is he a social climber?Is he a social climber?

GuildsmenGuildsmen

TradesmenTradesmen

What are their aspirations? – to be What are their aspirations? – to be aldermenaldermen

Tools were all polished, perfect, and Tools were all polished, perfect, and matchingmatching

Wives – stately airs; showing off their Wives – stately airs; showing off their place at Churchplace at Church

What is their sin?What is their sin?

CookCook

Excellent at crafting meals and fine Excellent at crafting meals and fine dessertsdesserts

Blancmange – a bland, custard-like Blancmange – a bland, custard-like dessert – he used the best ingredientsdessert – he used the best ingredients

Are the foods listed difficult recipes? Are the foods listed difficult recipes?

Ulcer – disgusting element to someone Ulcer – disgusting element to someone that makes delicious foodsthat makes delicious foods

He is not so appetizing to seeHe is not so appetizing to see

SkipperSkipper

Captain of a shipCaptain of a shipDressed as a poor man – “woolen gown that Dressed as a poor man – “woolen gown that reached his knee”reached his knee”Enjoyed drinking – “Many a draft of yellow and Enjoyed drinking – “Many a draft of yellow and red/He’d drawn at Bordeaux”red/He’d drawn at Bordeaux”““The nicer rules of conscience he ignored” – The nicer rules of conscience he ignored” – what does this mean?what does this mean?Harsh and unforgiving - “He sent his prisoner’s Harsh and unforgiving - “He sent his prisoner’s home; they walked the plank” – What is “home” home; they walked the plank” – What is “home” here?here?

DoctorDoctor

Fascinated by horoscopes and astrologyFascinated by horoscopes and astrologyThe four elements – earth, water, air, and fireThe four elements – earth, water, air, and fireGuile – slyness & cunningGuile – slyness & cunning“…“….each make money from the other’s guile” – .each make money from the other’s guile” – who were all the people involved in the guile?who were all the people involved in the guile?Did not read Bible – what is the irony in his Did not read Bible – what is the irony in his attendance on this particular trip?attendance on this particular trip?““Gold stimulates the heart, or so we’re told./He Gold stimulates the heart, or so we’re told./He therefore had a special love of gold.”therefore had a special love of gold.”What are the Doctor’s vices (bad habits/sins)?What are the Doctor’s vices (bad habits/sins)?

Wife of BathWife of Bath

Excellent seamstressExcellent seamstress

What would upset her at the altar? What What would upset her at the altar? What would she do if she didn’t get her way?would she do if she didn’t get her way?

Men? – plenty of experience!Men? – plenty of experience!

Gap-teeth – gluttonousGap-teeth – gluttonous

Self-proclaimed “love doctor”Self-proclaimed “love doctor”

ParsonParson

PoorPoor

Knew and taught the BibleKnew and taught the Bible

““Nay rather he preferred beyond a Nay rather he preferred beyond a doubt/Giving to poor parishioners round doubt/Giving to poor parishioners round about/Both from Church offerings and his about/Both from Church offerings and his property” – Where would he get the money property” – Where would he get the money from to give to the poor?from to give to the poor?

ParsonParson

““This noble example to his sheep he gave/That This noble example to his sheep he gave/That first he wrought, and afterwards he taught;/And it first he wrought, and afterwards he taught;/And it was from the Gospel he had caught/Those was from the Gospel he had caught/Those words, and he would add this figure too,/That if words, and he would add this figure too,/That if gold rust, what then will iron do?”gold rust, what then will iron do?”

What is the Parson’s ideal in this passage? What is the Parson’s ideal in this passage?

What literary device does he use to portray it?What literary device does he use to portray it?

““Christ and His Twelve Apostles and their Christ and His Twelve Apostles and their love/He taught, but followed it himself before”love/He taught, but followed it himself before”

PlowmanPlowman

Worked in fields: tilled soil, planted corn, Worked in fields: tilled soil, planted corn, made manure, dug ditchesmade manure, dug ditches

“…“….and, as prompt as any,/He paid his .and, as prompt as any,/He paid his tithes in full when they were due/On what tithes in full when they were due/On what he owned, and on his earnings too”he owned, and on his earnings too”

What is his sin?What is his sin?

MillerMiller

Stout and red-headed (he’s ginger!)Stout and red-headed (he’s ginger!)

Strong – “And win the ram at any wrestling Strong – “And win the ram at any wrestling show”show”

““His was master-hand at stealing grain” - His was master-hand at stealing grain” - How would he steal it?How would he steal it?

Would tell “tavern stories” and entertained Would tell “tavern stories” and entertained them with his bagpipesthem with his bagpipes

MancipleManciple

Victuals – food suppliesVictuals – food supplies

Illiterate – can’t readIlliterate – can’t read

Gifted at the marketGifted at the market

How does Chaucer compare the Manciple How does Chaucer compare the Manciple to the men that he works for (lawyers)?to the men that he works for (lawyers)?

ReeveReeve

SicklySickly

He was in charge of the farming of his He was in charge of the farming of his landownerslandowners

He was knowledgeable in every aspect of He was knowledgeable in every aspect of his job and could not be swindledhis job and could not be swindled

Had his own staff of riches; How did he Had his own staff of riches; How did he use them? (How was his lord involved?)use them? (How was his lord involved?)

SummonerSummoner

Ugly – “His face on fire…/for he had Ugly – “His face on fire…/for he had carbuncle. His eyes were narrow…/Black carbuncle. His eyes were narrow…/Black scabby brows he had, and a thin scabby brows he had, and a thin beard./Children were afraid when he beard./Children were afraid when he appeared”; puss-filled pimplesappeared”; puss-filled pimples

Drunk & loudDrunk & loud

Lines 660-663 – How does Chaucer Lines 660-663 – How does Chaucer describe this man’s talents?describe this man’s talents?

SummonerSummoner

““Why he’d allow-just for a quart of Why he’d allow-just for a quart of wine-/any good lad to keep a concubine wine-/any good lad to keep a concubine [(whore)]/A twelvemonth [(year)] and [(whore)]/A twelvemonth [(year)] and dispense [(to grant exemption from a law dispense [(to grant exemption from a law or promise)] him altogether!”or promise)] him altogether!”

““He knew their secrets, they did what he He knew their secrets, they did what he said.” - Blackmailsaid.” - Blackmail

PardonerPardoner

Stringy, blonde hair; hare-like eyeballsStringy, blonde hair; hare-like eyeballs““He’d sewed a holy relic on his cap;/His He’d sewed a holy relic on his cap;/His wallet lay before him on his lap” – What do wallet lay before him on his lap” – What do you think this juxtaposition means?you think this juxtaposition means?““For in his trunk he had a For in his trunk he had a pillow-case/Which he asserted was Our pillow-case/Which he asserted was Our Lady’s [Mary’s] veil” – What is the truth Lady’s [Mary’s] veil” – What is the truth about the relics?about the relics?Taught lessons well!Taught lessons well!

HostHost

Delicious food and amenitiesDelicious food and amenities

Fair, fun manFair, fun man

Comes up with the contestComes up with the contest

Acts as their “Governor”Acts as their “Governor”

ContestContest

– Two stories thereTwo stories there– Two stories backTwo stories back– Best tale (good morality and pleasure) gets a Best tale (good morality and pleasure) gets a

free supperfree supper– Host = judge (will join the pilgrimage)Host = judge (will join the pilgrimage)– Don’t play by rules = paying for expenses on Don’t play by rules = paying for expenses on

trip (everyone’s)trip (everyone’s)– Draw straws to see who goes first - KnightDraw straws to see who goes first - Knight