geoffrey chaucer *chaucer himself is depicted in the canterbury tales as the narrator; he is...
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Geoffrey Chaucer*Chaucer himself is depicted in the Canterbury Tales as the narrator; he is initially perceived as gregarious and naïve, and later described as silent. His opinions of each character flagrantly show through in the manner in which he writes each tale Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343 – 25 October
1400) *Chaucer’s various experiences throughout
his life helped to pave the way for the writing of The Canterbury Tale
*began writing as a poet in his twenties, his earliest works being translations of other European poets
*The Canterbury Tales, arguably his most famous work, was believed to be written as an inspiration from his pilgrimage to Canterbury, as he was able to observe a diverse group of people, including
* Only 24 out of 120 stories were told, all composed of various genres of medieval literature
* deemed “The Father of English Poetry” as he was recognized as the greatest English poet of his time
* His cause of death is not quite known, as his tomb was built over one-hundred years following his death and there is little historical record to affirm any distinct cause
Geoffrey Chaucer
Chaucer was included in the social class of the merchants, along with his parents. They consisted of the middle class.Chaucer was a modest, inquisitive, and gregarious character. He was very intelligent and his gift for writing is evident in his vast variety ofworks.He is depicted as wearing a dark coverchief on his head, which is similar to a Val that nuns wear. He is also shown dressed in a long, black cloak.He is revealed as having a serious and grave expression along with a fully developed beard. His hair cannot be explained because he is always shown wearing his coverchief.
The Pilgrimage from Southwark to Canterbury59.4 miles away.
It would have taken at least 4 days to travel this distance back for most people, but Chaucer has his pilgrims do it in 1 day.
They left Southwark in the morning and arrived in Canterbury as the sun was setting.
They rode horses on this pilgrimage.
For Medieval men a pilgrimage was a symbolic journey that represented the course of human life, from one's home on earth to one's true home.
The Tabard Inn
The Tabard was an inn established in 1307 by abbot of Hyde, the head of a Benedictine Monastery just outside of England.
It was established to provide a hostile for him when he traveled to England and to accommodate all of the pilgrims heading to England.
These pilgrims traveled to England to see the Shrine of Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Cathedral.
The Tabard was located on the East Side of Borough High street in Southwark, an area on the east- side of London.
Canterbury Cathedral
Location Canterbury Cathedral is located in
Canterbury, Kent. Appearance One of the oldest and most famous
Christian structures in England. Thomas Becket Archbishop of
Canterbury · After his death, this became a
major pilgrimage destination. Thomas Becket had a falling out with King Henry II, and this led to his murder in the Canterbury Cathedral.
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury, Kent Country: United Kingdom of Great Britain Founded in 602AD by St. Augustine One of the oldest and most famous Christian structures It was probably an existing church building from Roman times The cathedral was set on fire in 1011 by marauding Danes In 1067 another fire broke out, destroying what was left of the Saxon
cathedral In 1070 Archbishop Lanfranc began to rebuild the cathedral After Lanfranc, Anslem added the towers abutting the eastern transepts
and the crypt, largest of its time in England Thomas Becket was archbishop in 1162 to death in 1170 On December 29, 1170 Thomas Becket was murdered in the cathedral
by 4 knights because he refused to pardon men he had excommunicated
Still functions as the cathedral for the archbishop of Canterbury
What is a pilgrimage? A pilgrimage is a journey of a pilgrim, especially one to a shrine or a sacred
place During the Medieval times, people would make extensive journey to visit the
resting place of saints or to visit sacred relics Jerusalem and Rome were popular pilgrimage sites during the Medieval
period Many people decided to journey in groups as it was safer to travel in
numbers These journeys would take months, and numerous times, the pilgrims may
not return because it was dangerous to travel to an unknown destination There were several spots along popular pilgrim routes that were hospitable
to the travelers At these resting stops, the pilgrims would eat, rest, drink, and tell stories of
their journeys and of the sites they been to Because faith was very important to the people of the Medieval times, many
travelers believed that visiting the site would absolve them of their sins
The Doctor
Social Class He was part of the Middle ClassAppearance He wore blood red garments with
bluish gray in them and they were lined with taffeta (which was used for formal wear).
Personality He made most of his money from
when plagues struck his country and he tended to rip people off. Gold and money was very important to him. He was somewhat greedy.
He was very intelligent in the field of medicine. He knew the cure for any malady that you had. He also was educated in astrology; he could read you your stars and tell you your luck. He knew his medical information by heart but did not know the Bible at all. He was not a very holy man.
As for food, he only ate what was nutritious and never ate food for pleasure
The Knight
Distinguished man Followed chivalry, truth, honor,
generousness, and courtesy Honored for his noble graces Successful fighter Aristocrats or military class served with distinction in many
campaigns wise, modest and polite very worthy man not gaily dressed wore a fustian tunic stained and dark
with smudges where his armor left a mark
not vain takes the pilgrimage seriously enough
to rush to join straight from battle possessed fine horses
The Squire
Appearance Strong and agile 20 years old Curly hair Average height
Social Class Aristocrat or Military
Additional Information Son of the Knight Brave Cavalryman Good rider Veteran of combat Devoted to his father
The Yeoman
The Yeoman was an archer and worked for a knight or squire. He wore a green hood and coat. His head was like a nut and his face was brown.
He carried arrows with peacock feathers. He knew woodcraft. Yeoman wore a brace on their arm and bore a shield and sword. The yeoman also held a hunting horn. They were proper foresters.
The yeoman was considered a noble, but was the lowest of the noble class. He could be a free man and own a small estate. Yeomen became a class of people that gained a reputation for hard toil.
The Prioress (The Nun) Appearance· Has a simple, shy smile· Grey eyes· Very clean· Wears a nice cloak· Has a coral bracelet and a golden brooch Social Class· The clergy as a nun Other Information· Has very good table manners· Very kindhearted, charitable, and respectable· Real name is Madam Eglantyne · Speaks French· Anti-Semitic
THE MONK
Appearance Rugged Manly Man In good shape Bald and has a shiny head and face Wears very different robes of the
usual monks which was a plain habit and hood but wore gray fur on his sleeves of his cope and a gold pin with a love knot at the end of the hood The gold pin signified that he was not
religious because instead of the gold pin it should be a rosary.
Social Class Clergy
Abbot meaning father, religious title given to the head of the monastery
Information Rebellious Ignores rules and lives and controls
his own life very unlike monks of the time
Hunts and rides horses instead of studying, praying, and working which the rules of the monastery forbids
He is believed to have joined the monastery because he wanted be separated from betrayal of people and of women.
Sergeant at the Law
Very wise Talked little Tricked people into thinking he was wiser and busier the he really was A very good lawyer, could make a fool-proof contract or give a great defense Knew the law by heart Took large fees and lived well, middle class Commissioned by the King of England
Sergeant at the Law
He is discreet He is a able attorney Wary and wise Makes people think he is
bruiser and wiser that he really is
A very busy man Wore a homely parti-colored
coat with a pin-stripe silken belt
Important in his social class
The SummonerAppearance:
The Summoner had a fire-red face, with boils all over. He had pimples all over his face, and nothing could get rid of
them.He wore garland around his head
His breath was wretched because he loved to eat garlic and onions.
Social Class:He was in the lower class.
His job was to the send those who were arrested for sins to court.
Lifestyle: He was a drunken man, and slurred too often, only in
Latin.He rarely followed any of the law.
He was a scary man and partook in too many sexual activities. He believes he is more knowledgeable than most people.
The Cook
Name was RogerSkillful
Master of his tradeGood at cookingCut on his shin
Best dish was Creamed Chicken PieTrade Class
Rude and vulgar manEngages in violent and arguable behavior
Social Class- the ClergyTruly knew the gospel and
preached itDisliked extorting the titheGave to the poor out of his
own belongingsNothing stopped him from preachingA description of physical appearance is not given because a parson
is a stereotype of the perfect
priest.
A haberdasheris a person who sells small articles for sewing, such as buttons, ribbons and zippers. In English, haberdasher is another term for a men's outfitter. A haberdasher would sell small accessories, like linens and silks. Another meaning of "haberdasher" refers to a "dealer in, or maker of, hats and caps.” Medieval craftsmen, like haberdashers, belonged to guilds. Each guild had a hall or house to meet in. The members worked together to insure the quality of their work, train apprentices, set prices, care for the sick members of their guilds and the widows and children of deceased members. The men of the guild were wealthy, and their sons were automatically born into the guild.
THE PARSON
Wore a tabard, loose jacket.
Poor in his social class, rich in holiness and work.
Stands out as what the parish priest should be.
Lived a perfect life taught others to follow.
Ideal Christian Priest.
Pardoner AppearanceLong, blonde hairWears a cap with a holy relic on itBig, bulging eyesSmooth facial skin Social ClassClergy, Freeman, contested status Lifestyle InformationA pardoner is one who dispenses papal pardons.He was gentle and patient because of working with the pope.
The Doctor
• One of the best of his profession Could heal almost any illness Was in very good shape, thin Has an obsession with gold and finical gain Believes in study of stars.
The Merchant Appearance · Forking beard· Motley Dress· Beaver hat· Buckled boots· Sat high on his horse Social Class · Free, High status non-noble Info important to lifestyle · An expert at currency exchange
The Wife of Bath
A deaf but intelligent woman · A very skilled tailor, a person who
creates clothes · She wore very heavy kerchiefs · Her shoes were soft and new · Bold, beautiful face but a little
reddish · She had five husbands · She was alone during her childhood · Skilled in traveling · She had spaces in her teeth · She had large hips that was
covered by a mantle · Likes to laugh and talk to others · She knew how to flirt very well · She was the type that couldn’t keep
her man down. She was too outgoing.
The Wife of Bath · A bold, handsome woman, deaf in one ear and gap toothed · As a seamstress, she is dressed rather extravagantly in scarlet colored clothes · She is a worldly woman, having seen many different places · After living with five different husbands, she is experienced and well versed in the games of love. · Through her experiences, she has gained intellect, independence, and the ability to provide for herself
The Weaver
Wise, fit to be noble Trim and fresh, silver knives had money Clothe making profession All artisans. They are dressed in the livery,
or uniform, of their guild. The narrator compliments their
shiny dress and mentions that each was fit to be a city official.
Demonstrate the pride associated with being a guild member
successful people Guilds are professional
organizations for craftsmen
The characters are proud of their wealth and display it with ornate objects
The wives enjoyed the status of the husbands
Gave the women social recognition
Demonstrate the pride associated with being a guild member
belonged to a guild (associations of tradesmen, somewhat powerful in this time period)
dressed luxuriously their wives are demanding and
controlling, were social climbing
Appearance Elderly Gentleman Bearded Wears a long cloak and hat Social class Trader
Steward for a law school in London authorized to buy
provisions (food or other necessities)
Relevant Information Never rash
Illiterate Wiser than thirty lawyers he
feeds Cunning Cheated well-educated
lawyers by putting aside a tidy little
sum for himself Came from Inner Temple All carters follow his
example in buying Used to watch the market
carefully Go in first do he did well in
shopping
Manciple
The Miller
The Miller was a broad, well-muscled man who could easily wrestle a ram.
The Miller’s job was to grind wheat into flour using large rocks which constituted his large musculature. The Miller was so adept at his trade that he could tell the quality of grain simply by feeling it.
The Miller’s social standing was with the lot of the Peasants. However, because of his wealth, not as much as a noble’s, he was held with higher regard among the peasants.
Plowman
Appearance Wore a tabard(loose jacket) smock He would not have been dressed up in
nice clothes because of his occupation and he might have smelled from carrying manure
Occupation He worked in fields He dug corn and carried manure Social Class The Plowman’s social class is
considered to be among the virtuous poor or lower class
He was extremely poor but represented all the Christian values and virtues
Relevant information to the lifestyle of
the pilgrim He was a good worker who was
religious He lived in peace and charity and
treated his neighbor with much respect
Plowman helped the poor and was always charitable
He was the Parson’s brother He always paid his tithes and they
were on time and in full
Friar
Social Class: clergy Jolly, Festive Pale-skinned Strong Happy and sturdy voice Good singer and hurdy-gurdy Sparkly eyes His name was Hubert. Courteous His job didn’t make him
wealthy but he knew how to make a profit
He wasn’t like the friar’s before him
Limiter Most Mellow of the Four
Orders Match maker to many girls Got many girls in trouble Was able to hear confessions Forgiving to all people Made a decent living Knew taverns and inns best Easily got money from people Deceiving, Immoral Made a profit off of all that he
did for people. Wore a robe
ReeveReeve was a slender man
He had a beard shaven to the best of his ability; it was as clean-shaven as he could get it to be
His hair looked as if it were cut by clippers; cut around the earslong legs and was very lean
short tempercould be angered very easilybelonged to the middle class.
Good writercarpenter
An administrative officer (high rank)
The Franklin
Franklin means “free man” White-bearded and red-
faced - Like Santa Claus Wealthy gentleman farmer
but was not born noble Middle Class Loves food - House seemed to snow
meat and drink Enjoys good living Well-liked by other pilgrims
The Host: Harry Barley
Appearance Bright eyes Wide body Manly Very handsomeSocial Class Trader classInformation Joyful man Kind-hearted Generous in giving food and drink Invented the idea of telling the
stories of the pilgrimage Offers dinner to the pilgrim who tells
the best story Maintains peace Guides the trip
The Franklin•A medieval wealthy land owner.
•His beard was white as a daisy-petal.
•Sanguine, high colored, and benign.
•He was a free man; He didn’t serve a lord but was not a noble.
•He lived in pleasure believing that happiness is the most important goal in life.
•He is a connoisseur of food and wine, so much so that his table remains laid and ready for food all day.