Knight
chivalrous, truthful, honorable
could be brutal in battle
represents all that is good about knighthood and nobility when at home.
Squire
lover, sang, danced, wrote poetry
curly locks
fought in nearby battles so he could get home to see the ladies
was courteous and serviceable when father was around
satirized for his insincerity
Squire
loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale/He slept as little as a nightingale
Yoeman
servant to knight, but a free man
feathers were perfectly made in arrows
was a good archer
wore St. Christopher medal
was a "proper forester"
example of middle class
NOT satirized
Yoeman
wore a coat and hood of green
Yoeman
was a proper forrester
Prioress (Nun)
Madam Eglantyne (heroine in romance novels)
coy (falsely modest, flirtatious)
grace, manners, and sophistication
spoke a poor quality of French
little dogs fed roasted flesh and fine food while people were starving yet upset when a mouse died
wears jewelry
Appearance - *glass-gray eyes (deceptive)
forehead was "fair of spread" (large woman)
cloak had a graceful charm (another reference to large features)*
IS strongly satirized
Prioress
Amor Vincit Omnia" (Love Conquers All, Romantic love not God's Love)
Monk
ignored rules of his order
rides a horse (not supposed to)
owned hunting dogs (not supposed to)
Well dressed with gold pin, supposed to be poor
lazy
loves hunting
Appearance: glittering, bulging eyes
IS strongly satirized
physiognomy
judging human character by facial features; facial features revealing character
coy
falsely modest, flirtatious
Friar
fixed up" marriages
wanton (lecherous)
claimed to have licence from Pope to hear confessions--charged money as penance
gave gifts of pins for curls and pocket knives to pretty girls
knew taverns and barmaids well
begged money even from poorest
Appearance: white neck, lisp
IS satirized strongly
wanton
a spoiled, pampered person; one with low morals
Merchant
gave many opinions
dabbled in exchanges
seemed wealthy but was in debt
Appearance - forking beard
IS satirized
Represents Middle Class
Oxford Cleric (Clerk)
Cared only about knowledge
borrowed money from friends, never repaid
was "book smart" but "life dumb"
could not find a job
Appearance - hollow look, threadbare clothing
IS satirized
Oxford Cleric (Clerk)
was too unworldly for secular employment
Sergeant at the Law
experienced lawyer
expert on real estate law
one of 20 "traveling judges" in Chaucer's day
found loopholes in law to deprive heirs of land
could argue cases either way with impunity
Appearance - homely parti-coloured coat
IS satirized
Sergeant at the Law
All was "fee-simple" to his strong digestion
Franklin
wealthy landowner
lived for pleasure, "Epicurean" delights
Enjoyed his food, had a table ready all day long
IS lightly satirized
Epicurean
devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)
Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, and Carpet-Maker
the key to under-standing them is their wives
who wanted to be called "Madam" and to be "seen" like a queen
Appearance - they LOOK great (new looking gear which was bought used)
ARE satirized
Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, and Carpet-Maker
Their wives declared it was their due
Cook
made good thick soup
made good blancmange (yellow-white, creamy chicken soup)
could distinguish London ale by flavor
Appearance - had ulcer on his knee (from cooking at open pot)
IS satirized
Cook
He could distinguish London ale by flavour
Skipper
rode a farmer's horse well (an insult)
skin was tanned (a mark of low breeding)
stole wine while the trader slept
ignored conscience
made his prisoners "walk home" (walk the plank)
His ship was named "Maudelayne"
IS satirized
Doctor
grounded in astronomy
Knew the cause of every illness and the right medecine to take.
did not read the Bible
loved gold
Appearance - Blood red garments
IS satirized
Doctor
All his apothecaries in a tribe were ready with the drugs he would prescribe and each made money from the other's guile.
Wife of Bath
Went to Jerusalem 3 times
had five husbands, all at the church door
had a unique interpretation of Scriptures which gave her control in her marriages
Appearance - tight, red clothing, large hat, gap-teeth, large hips, heels spurred
IS satirized
Wife of Bath
knew the remedies for love's mischances
Parson
holy-minded, virtuous, devout, a shepherd
was poor and served the poor
noble, learned
patient
gave own money
practiced what he preached
NOT satirized
Plowman
honest worker, good and true
followed the Gospel
helped poor out of love
always paid his tithes in full when due
rode a mare
NOT satirized
Miller
great stout fellow, could heave door off hinges
told filthy tavern stories
"stole" grain with his "thumb of gold"
played bagpipes
hated the Reeve
*Appearance: red beard, wart on end of nose
weighed 224 pounds*
IS satirized
Manciple
buys food for the 30 laywers (Knights Temple)
got to market early to get best values
was illiterate
wise in practical matters
lived debt free on what he "saved"
IS satirized
Reeve
supervises serfs on masters estate
serfs feared him
better at bargains than his lord
was a carpenter
rode in the back on a horse named Scot
hated the Miller
Appearance - Old, choleric, thin, no calves
IS satirized
Reeve
No one had ever caught him in arrears
Summoner
frightened the children
ate garlic, onions, leeks
drank wine 'til all was hazy
took bribes of wine or "favors" from women
threatened excommunication
*Appearance - face like a cherubin
carbuncles and pimples, black scabby brows, thin beard*
IS satirized
Pardoner
goat-like voice
from Charing Cross
Said he carried pardons from Rome
Sold fake Relics (Mary's veil, piece of St. Peter's sail, pigs' bones)
sang Offertory well
*Appearance - long yellow, stringy hair, bulging eyeballs, smooth hairless chin
Is Satirized
Pardoner
I judge he was a gelding, or a mare.
Host
Owner of Tabard Inn
served finest victuals
suggested the tale-telling contest
prize was a meal for the winner paid for by the others
Only judge of the tales
Went with the pilgrims to Canterbury
Appearance - bright eyes, wide girth
IS satirized
Knight, Yoeman, Parson, Plowman
Who were the only characters NOT satirized?