The Canterbury Tales: Prologue

CharacterizationI will identify physical traits and mannerisms of each

character.I will use characterization to analyze each character.

In the Prologue, he would introduce all the characters, describing the physical details and mannerisms of each of the 30 pilgrims.

On the way to Canterbury, each pilgrim would tell two tales. (30x2=60 stories)

On way back to the Tabard Inn in London, each character would tell two tales. (30x2= another 60 stories)

Chaucer died before he completed his goals. We are left with the prologue and about 20 tales.

Chaucer’s plan

In what time of year does the poem take place?

Give four signs of this season◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

What major religious holiday is in this season?

Why would this be a good time to go on a pilgrimage? (several reasons)

Using the first stanza

In what time of year does the poem take place? ◦ Spring

Give four signs of this season◦ Sign of the Ram (Aries)◦ (you find)◦ (you find)◦ (you find)

What major religious holiday is in this season?◦ Easter

Why would this be a good time to go on a pilgrimage? (several reasons)◦ Better weather, more food, religious renewal

Using the first stanza

Set up your chart:Physical Details

Mannerisms, behaviorsand Actions

Your evaluation and seven sins?Character

(Continue as we read…)

Knight

Squire

Yeoman

Prioress (nun)

KnightPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions wears: worn armor,

stained tunic, modest clothes, "not gaily" dressed;

an older man

chivalrous, a gentleman, noble, good soldier (fights only religious battles), a Crusader

Now, what is your evaluation of the knight? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

SquirePhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions curly hair, 20 years

old, average height/ strength

wears: tunic embroidered with red/white flowers (expensive)

soldier in training: jousts and rides with cavalry

plays flute, dances, reads and writes poetry;

He’s a "ladies man”Now, what is your evaluation of the squire? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

Yeoman (Ranger)Physical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions wears: green hood

and tunic, arrows with peacock feathers, bow, sword, dirk, St. Christopher’s medal

tanned face

woodsman, hunter, tracker; equipment well cared for

Now, what is your evaluation of the Yeoman? Does he fit a deadly sin?

What are the vows that most religious orders take (i.e. what are they to give up? To what do they devote themselves?)◦ Vow of poverty (give up money)◦ Vow of chastity (give up sex)◦ Devote yourself to the needs of others (Christ-

like)◦ Live in the spiritual, not be “of the world”Special for Monks◦ Vow of silence (give up unnecessary/any talking)◦ Live in a Cloister (monastery)

Quick question

Prioress - R(high ranking nun)Physical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions wears: coral bracelet,

clean clothes delicate nose, glass-grey

eyes, small and red mouth, wide forehead (sign of beauty)

proper woman (almost noble-like), good manners (finishing school), speaks French

loves animals, cares for appearance

travels with another nun and three priests

Now, what is your evaluation of the Prioress? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

Monk - RPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions wears: wealthy clothes: fur

trim on coat, clasp made of gold

very fat, bald head "shiny"

hunts for sport, living worldly (not in monastery or "cloister") has greyhounds for hunting.

Hates: reading, being quiet, being "cloistered, being poor/wearing poor clothes (all things a monk should do)

Now, what is your evaluation of the Monk? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

Friar - RPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions wears: robes are fancy like

doctor or pope shaved head (bald on top

only) shaped like a bell (fat,

excess material)

woos women then "gets them married", greedy, flatterer

goes only to taverns and inns to do work (avoids poor neighborhoods), likes money

"player" or "pimp" (i.e. con-artist)

Now, what is your evaluation of the Friar? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

MerchantPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions Forked beard multi-colored “dress”

(robe) Beaver hat Bucked boots

Gives his opinion Expert in money/trade Exchanges foreign

currently for profit (illegal) He’s in debt

Now, what is your evaluation of the Merchant? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

Oxford Cleric – R (Religious student)Physical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions looks “unworldly”, wears

threadbare overcoat horse is thin (ribs show),

he's thin (corpse-like) with hollow cheeks, very skinny

reads books and focuses on studies

studies philosophy earnest (frugal), straight

talking (to the point) and doesn't gossip.

Now, what is your evaluation of the Oxford Cleric? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

Sergeant at the law (lawyer)Physical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions Homely parti-colored coat Silk belt – pinstriped

Wary and wise Travels as a judge Specializes in conveyances

(deeds) Never find a mistake in his

work

Now, what is your evaluation of the Sergeant at the Law? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

FranklinPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions old, grey beard, white skin

on neck, sanguine face (cheerful);

wears: dagger, purse of silk.

liked worldly pleasures, demanding

let people eat for free (would fix feasts for them), political - sheriff.

Well liked.

Now, what is your evaluation of the Franklin? (would you travel with her, do you like her? etc..) Does she fit a deadly sin?

Guild MembersPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions All dressed similarly

(shows belonging to guild) Knives and purses

decorated with silver

Belong to a guild (organization like a union)

Haberdasher (hat maker), carpenter, weaver, dyer and tapestry maker

Nouveau rich (new rich) Travel with wives

Now, what is your evaluation of the Guild Members? (would you travel with them, do you like them? etc..) Do they fit a deadly sin?

CookPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions Has ulcer (open infected

wound on knee) Friends with guildsmen Great chef; Can roast,

simmer, fry, boil and can cook specialty dishes and desserts.

Now, what is your evaluation of the Cook? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

Skipper (Pirate)Physical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions Brown from sun (tan) Dagger hanging from

lanyard Burly (strong muscled)

From Dartmouth Eats a lot Steals and drinks wine Makes prisoners walk the

plank (“sends them home”)

Good navigator; reads stars, has been all through many seas and ports

Now, what is your evaluation of the Skipper? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

DoctorPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions blood-red garments (hides

blood stains) with blue-grey slashes (like on jerkin), also has taffeta

greedy, likes gold best of all

doesn’t' read Bible, uses "modern" medicine (horoscopes, four-humors, etc) to diagnose patients

worked with apothecary (druggist) to earn money from prescriptions.

Now, what is your evaluation of the doctor? (would you travel with her, do you like her? etc..) Does she fit a deadly sin?

Wife of Bath*Physical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions wears: new shoes,

handkerchiefs (so fancy they look heavy), red hose with garters, hat as large as shield, richly dressed;

has gap in teeth (sign of beauty/sexuality), large hips, larger woman, "handsome"

married 5 times seamstress - sews and

embroiders travels a lot (Jerusalem),

rides horse likes to talk and give

advice on relationships

Now, what is your evaluation of the Wife of Bath? (would you travel with her, do you like her? etc..) Does she fit a deadly sin?

Parson - RPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions carries a stave (staff) diligent, holy man

collects money for poor and gives to poor, dedicated to his "flock” or congregation (“shepherd” to men), preaches word of God and lives by it

will visit people no matter the weather/distance/etc.

(Brother of the Plowman) Now, what is your evaluation of the Parson? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

PlowmanPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions Wore tabard smock Rode a mare

Brother of the Parson Works on farm – honest,

hard worker Follows simple virtues;

loves God and is good to his neighbors

Helps those in need Pays his tithes (church-tax)

Now, what is your evaluation of the Plowman? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

MillerPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions Big-boned (muscular)

brawny; weighs 16 stone (225 lbs)

Has broad red beard; has hairy wart; Large mouth; “ugly”

White coat, blue hood

Miller = grinds grain to flour

Can yank door off hinges with hands/butt with head

Tells dirty stories Plays bagpipes

Now, what is your evaluation of the Miller? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

ManciplePhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions (none) Purchasing agent

Works for lawyers Shrewd business man –

smarter than all of them Made small fortune for

himselfNow, what is your evaluation of the Manciple? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

ReevePhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions Skinny, close-cut beard,

hair cut strait around head (bowl cut)

Rides grey horse Rusty sword

Manages a large estate; in charge of all animals (sheep, cattle, swine, horses, poultry)

Shrewd organizer and manager of money

Bad-tempered

Now, what is your evaluation of the Reeve? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

SummonerPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions carbuncles (large pus filled

pimples), red face like cherub, black scabby brows, thin beard

Garland of flowers around head

“summons” people to court drinks wine (often too

much) eats onions/garlic/ leeks (breath and skin smell)

Children fear him, run away Speaks Latin phrases to get

time to think (not bright), blackmails people (keep

“concubines”) to get wine Now, what is your evaluation of the Summoner? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

Pardoner* - RPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions yellow hair like wax,

stringy (like flax), ends like rattails

bulging eyeballs, no beard, high voice

a eunuch (castrated man)

earns money by: forgiving peoples sins (job)

selling "holy relics" (fakes!) to other religious people, singing; a fraud

Now, what is your evaluation of the Pardoner? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

SpeakerPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions (none) Narrator of poem

In intro, tells season (spring) and benefits of travelling.

At end, he apologizes for how rude some of the stories will be, but says he’s just “quoting what they say” (gives Chaucer license to tell crude stories that may upset people)

Now, what is your evaluation of the Speaker? (would you travel with him, do you like him? etc..) Does he fit a deadly sin?

HostPhysical Details Mannerisms, Behaviors

and Actions fat, bright and wide spaced

eyes tactful, wise, a joker, good

natured

proposes contest: each pilgrim (person) tells total of four stories (2 on way there, 2 on way back)

he'll judge winner, winner gets meal (paid for by all others - not host).

If drop out of contest, must pay for everything.

(Just copy, no evaluation on this character)