Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

Canterbury Tales
By Geoffrey Chaucer
The Prologue

In this narrative, 30 pilgrims traveling to the shrine at

Canterbury agree to go together and tell stories on the
way. In “The Prologue,” the narrator introduces each
member of the group—a sampling of 14th-century
farmers and townsfolk, laity and clergy, saints and
sinners.

Read with a purpose: Read “The Prologue” to learn
about the characters that will narrate The Canterbury
Tales.

Restate lines 1-18. Why does the group make its pilgrimage in April?
When April’s showers end March’s drought, and vital rain bathes the plants’ roots; when
the wind blows through every woodland and plain on sprouting plants; and the spring sun
moves into the sign of the Ram; and young birds sing—birds that have hardly slept, as
they are so invigorated; at that time, people journey to religious shrines; these pilgrims
long to visit the unfamiliar grounds of long-gone saints, revered in many places; and
especially from every county of England, they go down to Canterbury to visit the shrine
of St. Thomas à Becket, who helped them when they were sick.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

The improved weather in April inspires them to leave their homes and undertake a
pilgrimage.

In lines 23-24, who is the narrator of this poem?

The narrator is a pilgrim on his way to Canterbury.

What is revealed about his character in this passage?

The passage shows that he is gregarious, friendly, interested in people, and a natural
leader who convinced everyone to travel together.

Paraphrase lines 35-42. What does the narrator set out to accomplish in “The
Prologue”?
Nevertheless, while I am free to do it, before my story progresses further, it makes
sense to explain their circumstances, a complete description of each pilgrim—as I saw
them—according to their work and station in life, as well as what they wore during the
trip; and I will begin with the Knight. The narrator sets out to describe the “full array” of
pilgrims traveling to Canterbury: the profession, social status, and physical appearance of
each one.

Reread lines 43-74. What do the Knight’s actions on and off

the battlefield reveal about his character? Cite details to
support your answer.
The Knight’s actions reveal that he is a model of chivalry: On the
battlefield, he is brave and successful (lines 53-69). Off the
battlefield, he is modest, wise, and genteel (lines 70-72).
Moreover, he immediately seeks penance after his fighting (lines
79-80).

In lines 81-102, what does the expression “like father, like

son” mean to you?
The expression suggests that fathers and son often share similar
characteristics.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

In lines 81-102, does the expression apply to the

Squire and the Knight?
The squire displays agility, strength, bravery, and
courtesy, just like his father. However, he does not have
his father’s experience, though he will acquire it in time.

Which details about the Squire make him seem real,

rather than idealized like the Knight?
The squire displays many characteristics of a young,
romantic knight-in-training who wishes to follow in his father’s footsteps: He has fire,
dedication, and desire to serve his father. However, he is also concerned with his
appearance and the impression he makes. Unlike his father, the Squire dresses
ostentatiously, and enjoys frivolous pastimes.

What information besides the Yeoman’s head resembling a nut,

suggests that Chaucer does not take this character seriously?
Chaucer describes only his clothing, which seems to be showy.

Reread lines 122-145. Which details suggest that the

Prioress may be trying to appear more sophisticated than she
really is?
The Prioress speaks French with an inauthentic English
intonation. Her table manners are coarse, despite her efforts to be elegant: She reaches
for meat with her hands, dips her fingers in the sauce, and eats everything on her plate.
The phrase “straining/To counterfeit a courtly kind of grace” is a clue.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

In lines 169-192, does Chaucer reveal mostly virtues or

flaws in the character of the Monk? Explain your answer.
Chaucer shows, from the first couplet, that the Monk is a much-
flawed character, whose overriding interest is hunting. The
Monk ignores and ridicules the rules of his order, shuns
studying, and avoids manual labor.

List three character traits of the Monk. In what ways does the narrator appeal to
poke fun at him?
The Monk is a sportsman, shallow, self-indulgent, and materialistic. The narrator
specifically pokes fun at the Monk’s worldly pastimes and appetites. He is far from being
a humble and scholarly servant of God in the mold of St. Benedict, St. Maur, or St.
Augustine.

In lines 212-222, what character traits does the Friar

appear to have in common with the Monk?
The Friar, like the Monk, does not seem inclined toward a life
of poverty or charity. He, too, is a “festive fellow” who
enjoys his fun. Given his interest in hearing confessions from
women of means, a material life “of the coin” appears to be of
greater concern than a life “of the cloth.”

In lines 237-263, in what ways is the Friar corrupt?

He uses his position to gain money; he spends his money on drinking and gifts for women;
he does not associate with the poor or unfortunate members of society.

Is the Friar more corrupt than the Monk? Explain your answer.
Though both are corrupt, the “wanton” Friar’s past and his abuse of power are
particularly loathsome.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

Restate lines 237-246. How does the Friar spend the money he earns through
hearing confessions?
He kept his pocket stuffed with hairpins and pocketknives to give to attractive girls he
sang confidently and loudly, because he had a good voice and played the lute. At musical
events he surpassed everyone. Though his neck was as white as a lily, it was strong enough
to knock over a brute. He was familiar with the bars of every town, as well as the
bartenders and barmaids—much more familiar than he was with lepers, beggars, and
others of that sort. The Friar buys hairpins and pocketknives for girls. He also spends his
money at inns and taverns.

Paraphrase lines 284-294. Is the Merchant a successful

businessman? Why or why not?
He discussed his opinions and actions in great seriousness,
especially his monetary success: He believed that the shipping
routes between England and Holland should be policed; and he
described himself as an expert at selling foreign currency. He
was so clever and so well versed in administering loans,
bargaining, and negotiating, that nobody knew he was in debt.
Even so, he was a good person, though, honestly, I don’t know his
name. Students may say that the Merchant is not a successful businessman; although the
Merchant is well-dressed, convincing, and seemingly intelligent, he is in debt.

In lines 295-318, what words give the reader clues to

the Cleric’s character?
The words sober, unworldly, earnestly, formal,
respectful, lofty, and moral tell the reader that the
Cleric is devoted to his studies to become a priest.

Reread lines 295-318. In what ways does the Oxford Cleric differ from the Monk
and the Friar? Cite details.
Unlike the Monk and the Friar, the Oxford Cleric is poor, thin, and shabby in appearance.
Moreover, the cleric is learned, devout, and concerned with others.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

To what extent does the Sergeant at the Law seem to be all

talk and no action?
He could talk a fine game of law, so he had made good money and
won respect, but he wasn’t nearly as productive as he seemed.

Would you want to hire the Sergeant at Law?

Though the Sergeant gives the appearance of wisdom and discretion, the narrator
questions these credentials. The Sergeant appears to be busy, but is “less busy than he
seemed to be.”

What does the narrator state directly about the Franklin

in lines 341-356?
The Franklin has a white beard and rosy complexion. He lives
for pleasure, especially for fine food and drink.

In lines 371-388, why did Chaucer group these five characters—Haberdasher, Dyer,
Carpenter, Weaver, and Carpet-maker—together?
Their grouping suggests that these characters are so similar that there was, perhaps, no
need to distinguish among them in this overview.

How was a doctor in Chaucer’s day different from contemporary doctors?

Doctors had extensive training in the four humors and astrology, considered
pseudoscience today; they relied heavily on the ancient Greeks; medicine was primitive by
contemporary standards.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

Medieval Medicine
The treatment of the four humors, referred
to in lines 429-434, was central to medieval
medicine. The belief in the four humors (or
bodily fluids) evolved from Greek philosophy.
The dominance of one of the four fluids was
thought to determine temperament. The fluids
were blood (resulting in a sanguine, or lively
temperament), phlegm (resulting in a
phlegmatic or unemotional temperament),
yellow bile, or choler, (resulting in a choleric,
or angry temperament), and black bile
(resulting in a melancholy temperament). The
four humors were sometimes matched up with
the four seasons, the four ages of mankind,
the four compass directions, and even to the
four Evangelists. Medieval doctors attempted
to bring the four humors into balance using
diet, medicine, and bloodletting.

In lines 455-484, is the Wife of Bath a round or flat character?

The Wife of Bath is a round character: she is interesting, worldly,
personable, capable, amorous, self-important, and materialistic.

Why does the narrator describe her as “worthy” in two lines (455
& 469)?
The narrator wants to make it clear that he thinks well of her, despite her shortcomings.

Reread lines 455-486. Which details help define the Wife of Bath as a worldly
woman?
The wife of Bath is a superlative weaver; she wears stylish and expensive clothes; she
has been married five times; and she has traveled to many important pilgrim sites,
including three visits to Jerusalem.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

Do the Parson’s traits show him to be trustworthy? Explain

your answer.
The Parson’s kindness, moral rectitude, generosity,
conscientiousness, and diligence show that he is trustworthy.

What point is Chaucer making through the Parson?

He is making the point that the clergy should be above reproach in their behavior and
spotless models to the people they serve.

Restate lines 515-524. In what ways does the Parson serve the members of his
parish?
A parson’s behavior should be pure and set an example for those he leads. A parson
should not hire someone else to do his work and leave his followers in trouble or without
proper guidance. Nor should he run to London to earn easy money by performing funeral
services for the wealthy. Nor should he become involved in some private group, allowing
someone else to take over and mislead his followers. He should be a committed leader,
not just a worker for hire.
The Parson gives money to the poor, pays calls to the parishioners whenever they need
him, and provides a fine example to all.

Compare the Plowman with his brother, the Parson. What character traits do they
seem to share?
Both are pious, hard-working, peace-loving, honest, and charitable; neither is
materialistic; neither is guided by self-interest or greed.

In lines 585-604, what words best describe the Manciple’s

character?
Cautious, clever, and frugal.

Which lines state Chaucer’s opinion of the Manciple most clearly?

“Now isn’t it a marvel of God’s grace/That an illiterate fellow can outpace/The wisdom of
a heap of learned men?” (lines 591-593)

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

In lines 605-640, what traits and habits have helped the

Reeve grow rich?
The Reeve is a crafty and capable manager; he has been
entrusted with the management of his master’s livestock; he
stays on top of collections; he knows a good bargain and can
manage his money; he is also a fine carpenter.

Does Chaucer seem to have any reservations about this character?

Chaucer’s opening words describe the Reeve as temperamental; Chaucer also says that he
is “feared like the plague” by everyone under him, suggesting that the Reeve is probably
not compassionate or kind, but a bully and a stickler.

What specific details describe the Summoner’s

appearance?
He is described as having pimples on his face, scabby
eyebrows, and a thin beard. Children are frightened of his
appearance.

Is the Summoner’s appearance a reflection of his

character? Explain your answer.
The Summoner’s unattractive appearance is a reflection of his unattractive character. As
a church official, he sells favors for wine and drinks too much.

Does Chaucer judge characters by the way they look?

Chaucer sometimes exaggerates a character’s unpleasant physical features to serve as a
kind of emblem of their corruption and sin.

In lines 689-734. In what ways is the Pardoner like the Summoner?

Like the Summoner, the Pardoner is physically and morally repugnant, another greedy and
corrupt church official who has sold his office.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

How does Chaucer differentiate the character of the Summoner from the Pardoner?
He looks different: The Summoner has bulging eyes, and light blonde hair hanging down
his back in rat-tails; he is also fashion-conscious. Unlike the Pardoner, the Summoner is
unmanly, with no beard and a high voice.

Paraphrase the description of the Pardoner in lines 712-726. How exactly does he
earn a living?
There wasn’t a better pardoner from the north to the south of England, for he had a
pillowcase that he claimed was Mary’s veil. He also possessed a piece of fabric which he
claimed came from the sail (of the boat) that Peter used when he tried walking on water,
and Jesus came to his rescue. Also, he had a metal cross with stones and a glass with pigs’
bones. He used these relics to fool the naïve populace of country parishes, where he could
make more money in a day than their parson could make in a month of two. Using flattery,
and lies, he made fools of the priest and his congregation. The Pardoner earns his living
by selling pardons from Rome and fake relics to poor, uneducated country folk.

In lines 767-779, what words does Chaucer use to describe the Host, the innkeeper
of The Tabard?
“Striking”; “no finer burgess in Cheapside”; “Bold in…speech,” “wise”; “manly”; “merry-
hearted.”

What actions of this character does Chaucer also describe?

He shows the Host serving wonderful food and drink, speaking openly but tactfully, and
discussing a variety of subjects.

What do the Host’s own words reveal about him?

The Host’s words reveal that he is inventive and fun-loving and that he has mastered the
art of making everyone feel welcome. His words, along with his actions and Chaucer’s
description, illustrate that he is a near-perfect host.

In literature, tone refers to the attitude a writer takes toward a subject or

character. A writer can communicate tone through diction, choice of details, and
direct statements of his or her opinion. Tone can be serious, playful, admiring,
mocking, or objective. How would you describe Chaucer’s tone toward his characters
throughout “The Prologue”? Why do you think he portrays his characters this way?
Chaucer’s tone is generally restrained and detached. He likely uses this tone to allow for
subtle jokes to be inserted in the descriptions of the pilgrims.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

Did Chaucer base his Scholars have researched and debated this question
pilgrims on real-life for years. Unfortunately, no records exist of
individuals from his day? Chaucer’s personal revelations on the subject, so his
readers may never know for sure. The pilgrim who has
been identified with the greatest certainty is the
Host. The Cook refers to him as “Herry Bailly” in the
Cook’s Prologue. Some scholars think that an innkeeper
named Henri Bayliff lived in Southwark, the location of
Chaucer’s Tabard Inn. Bayliff’s name appears in
various rolls and records from the 1370s and 1380s.

Examine the way the pilgrims respond to the Host in lines 830-841. What type of
person do you think would appeal to so many?
The Host is likely to be friendly, fun-loving, charismatic, fair, honest, and generous.

When and where does “The Prologue” take place?

“The Prologue” takes place in April at the Tabard Inn in Southwark.

What event or circumstance causes the characters to gather?

The characters gather for a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket in
Canterbury.

What plan does the Host propose to the characters?

The Host proposes a contest in which each Pilgrim tells two stories on the way to
Canterbury and two more on the way back; the winner will receive a free dinner.

Throughout the selection, Chaucer uses physical details—eyes, hair, clothing—to help
develop his characters. Choose three pilgrims and describe how their outward
appearances reflect their personalities.
Squire: appearance – 20 years old, curly hair, strong, short, embroidered gown;
personality—young, romantic.
Reeve: appearance—old, choleric, close-shaven, skinny; personality—exacting, shrewd;
excellent manager
Summoner: appearance—carbuncles, narrow eyes, scabby brows; personality—despicable;
cheater and blackmailer

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

Much of the humor of “The Prologue” is based on irony, the discrepancy between
what appears to be true and what actually is true. Explain the irony in each of the
following character portraits: The Nun Prioress, the Skipper, the Merchant, the
Doctor.
The Nun Prioress wishes to seem sophisticated; her poor French, table manners, and
jewelry suggest otherwise.
The Skipper seems to be a skilled, prudent, and unpretentious seamen, but he is capable
of theft and violence.
The Merchant is well dressed and well versed at trade, but he is in debt.
The Doctor knows everything about medieval medicine, but he is motivated by love of gold
rather than the desire to help others.

Review what you paraphrased as you read the selection. Describe the narrator’s
personality and values.
The narrator is intelligent, well-read, and religious; he is a keen observer of the faults
and strengths of others; he is humorous and humane. He esteems humility, simplicity,
generosity, the Gospel and the Golden Rule; he despises pretention, greed, hypocrisy,
materialism, and corruption.

A writer who pokes fun at behaviors and customs with the intent of improving
society is creating satire. Review the descriptions of the Monk and the Friar in lines
169-279. What aspects of the medieval church does Chaucer satirize through these
characters?
Chaucer satirizes their worldliness, materialism, and hypocrisy and by extension any
churchmen with those traits. Both indulge in worldly pleasures. Neither serves those in
need.

In literature, tone refers to the attitude a writer takes toward a subject or

character. Tone can be serious, playful, admiring, mocking, or objective. Review
lines 455-486. What is Chaucer’s tone toward the Wife of Bath? Cite specific
words and phrases to support your answer.
Though Chaucer gently mocks the Wife of Bath’s pride and her excesses in clothing and
husbands, he generally admires her, using words such as worthy, bold, and handsome to
describe her.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

In 1809, the English poet and artist William Blake made the following observation:
“Chaucer’s pilgrims are the characters which compose all ages and nations…Some of
the names or titles are altered by time, but the characters themselves forever
remain unaltered.” Do you agree or disagree that Chaucer’s characters seem
timeless and universal? Support your opinion with details from the text and your own
experiences.
Chaucer’s pilgrims seem timeless. His stories of the corruption, hypocrisy, greed, and
pretense of the Sergeant at the Law, the Merchant, the Friar, the Monk, the Summoner,
and the Pardoner are similar to current stories about failures of trust in business,
politics, and the clergy. So, too, the faith and charity of the Parson, Cleric, and Plowman
have parallels in the humble clergy of today.

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Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Baker ENG IV

In 1809, the English poet and artist William Blake made the following observation:
“Chaucer’s pilgrims are the characters which compose all ages and nations…Some of
the names or titles are altered by time, but the characters themselves forever
remain unaltered.” Do you agree or disagree that Chaucer’s characters seem
timeless and universal? Support your opinion with details from the text and your own
experiences.
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