The Prologue to The Canterbury TalesBy Geoffrey Chaucer

Cast of Characters

There are 29 characters included in The Canterbury Tales. Here we will meet all of them.

The Seven Deadly Sins• Keep in mind that people in Chaucer’s time were instructed by church officials to steer clear of particular

vices or sins. The Seven Deadly Sins (the Cardinal Sins) are

• Lust - obsessive, excessive thoughts of sexual desire• Gluttony – overindulgence• Greed – desiring too much (concerning wealth)• Sloth – then it meant apathy, “depression” now it means

laziness• Wrath- anger or hatred• Envy –to lust after something that belongs to someone

else• Pride (vanity) – a desire to be “more important” or “more

attractive” than others Will any characters be guilty of these sins??

The Knight

• good character• kind • generous • fought in holy wars• Humbly-dressed,

despite his high position

• here to give thanks

The Squire• Knight’s son • good fighter, but he

flaunts his status (short skirt, long sleeves)

• Flirty• Enjoys the company of

women - “loved hotly”• Differs from his father by

not being humble• May be here for duty not

to pay homage

The Yeoman

• wears green• carries

swords/dagger for protection

• takes his job very seriously

The Nun• fascinated w/French style

and courtly manners, although it is “counterfeit” – wipes her mouth when she eats (why should a nun care for worldly manners?)

• Cries over a mouse in a trap or when her dog is beat (Ecclesiastics are not supposed to have pets)

• has a good heart, “love conquers all”

• Interested in spiritual love or earthly love?

The Monk• Hunts (which is

forbidden)• well-dressed• has horses and

greyhounds• avoids the holy doctrine

– too busy with worldly things to study religious doctrine

• has a lover’s knot (earthly love?)

• Fat (eats well) = gluttony

The Friar

• hears confessions but charges

• hood = pins and pocket knives to give to girls

• visited taverns• doesn’t bother with poor

because they have no money

• begged for church and kept some of the money

The Merchant

• knew money• Good with trade

importing/exporting)• looked wealthy • really he’s in debt• skilled in business

Oxford Cleric

• “poor college student”• thin horse,• shabby clothes• doesn’t want “secular

employment” takes money from friends

• buys books• prays for the ones

who give him money

The Sergeant of the Law“Lawyer”

• smart • lazy - “less busy”• writes up property

documents • well-dressed• couldn’t “pinch a

comma” from his documents

The Franklin

• house is open to everyone

• endless meat and wine

• highly respected – sheriff

• Justice of the sessions

• Good, generous man

Guildsmen

• Group of skilled workers

• hard-working • were wealthy but they

refuse to allow wealth to spoil them. Their wives want to be rich and be called “Madam”

The Cook• good cook - “could

distinguish London ale by flavor/And he could roast and seethe and broil and fry/Make a good thick soup, and bake a tasty pie”

• has an ulcer on his knee

The Skipper

• rough sailor • scruffy in appearance• stole wine (from

“Bourdeaux”)• captured prisoners

and made them walk the plank

• boat was called the Maudelayne.

The Doctor• based his diagnosis

on astronomy • Had “apothecaries” to

prepare the medicines he prescribed

• smart • didn’t read the Bible • love of gold not of

people

The Wife of Bath• Lusty• tries to appear holy• had 5 husbands

(killed previous 4?)• scarlet hose (color of

passion), red face, gap teeth (sign of promiscuity)

• knew love’s “remedies”

The Parson• “country preacher”• good character• always there for

parishioners• gave of himself, unselfish • hated hypocrisy (“holy”

people who mislead church folk)

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

The Plowman

• Parson’s brother • digs dung • faithful to God • helps neighbors, even

after working all day• pay tithes (10% of

earnings to the church)

The Miller• strong • can rip a door off its

hinges• can break a door in

half with his head• wart on nose with hair

growing out of it • cheats his boss out of

oats and grains• plays the bagpipes

The Manciple

• employee that buys provisions

• he did well• he was illiterate, but

could outsmart learned men ( similar to Good Will Hunting)

The Reeve

• someone who manages an estate

• was feared• Scrupulous, “picky”• has money• buys present for boss

The Summoner• Summons people to court

(ecclesiastical and civic court)

• had carbuncles (pimples filled with pus) – his face scared children

• “Questio quid juris” on his tag - “What is the point of the law?” This contradicts his position because he works for the law but doesn’t care for the law

• Allow prisoners to exchange wine for women

The Pardoner• Delivered pardons• sang well • Had “rat tails” (suggests

that he is a rat, sneaky)• had trash as “holy relics”

– Pillow-case = Mary’s veil– Fragment of a sail = from

Saint Peter’s boat where Jesus walked on water

– Pigs’ bones• made money off of poor

country parsons - “made monkeys of the priest and congregation”

The Host• proposes a contest of 2

stories on the way to Canterbury and 2 stories returning. The stories must be both moral and entertaining. The Host will be the judge. The contest is proposed at the Tabard Inn and the winner gets dinner.