A list of characteristics for each character in the Canterbury Tales.
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| 490732601 | The Knight | • genteel man who loved truth, freedom, chivalry and honor, a truly distinguished man • battled Christians and non-Christians, (Crusades), his fighting spanned 40 years over three groups of people, over 15 battles • always victorious, plain and honest • going to thank the saints for preserving his life through his battles • MOST prominent and respected character of the tales - Chaucer is positive about him: compliments - lives up to what he says - chivalrous: courtesy and honor - served the King * he drove competition horses which showed wealth because they were very expensive | |
| 490732602 | The Squire | • the knight's son, about 20 years old you can become a knight through generation or being rewarded by the King for doing something good -• ladies' man, handsome (curls hair, strong and agile), singing, playing the flute • light-hearted, pleasant, talented • a fine horseman, knows how to joust, dance, write and draw - agility and strength - in his battles he could not be in danger but yet he went around and told women how great he was in battle and how he risked his life - his motivation: women - wore a short gown to show off his good legs • (staying out all night) | |
| 490732603 | The Yeoman | • servant to the knight and squire - very well liked servant of the King - • outdoorsman, talented wood carver forester: very good at it - "Robin Hood like" - weapons and woodcraft - dark skinned so servant and proud of it - where the Knight goes, he goes - Chaucer views him positively • carried a bow, a shield, a sword and a knife • excellent shot with the bow and arrow | |
| 490732604 | a Nun (Madam Eglantyne) | • or Prioress, spoke French (but very poorly), eats in a refined manner - nice to everyone - clergy (trained) - city girl, civilian - prioress leader - a flirt • Swore constantly "By St. Loy!" a saint known for not swearing • very concerned with outward appearances • Chaucer says she is "counterfeit" (fake) - she had 3 dogs with her, seemed to care more for the animals around her than humans • physically - big forehead, sign of intelligence • coral trinket and rosary (coral trinket fight worldly temptations * Tammy Fay (dog story) - veil was gathered in a seemly way, make-up, curves - pendant: • Amor vincit omnia - "Love conquers all | |
| 490732605 | The Monk | • loved hunting, fine foods and had several good hunting dogs that he was very proud of • dressed in fine clothes, some even trimmed in fur • rather fat, very jolly, and bald headed • favorite food was roasted swan • he tended to ignore the rules of the monastery, everything he does is a violation of his monastic vows - Prior of the small community but could have been an Abbot leader - gentry because he has the money to prove it * stable full of horses * has Greyhounds * about luxury and fun, not working * pays whatever as long as it's fun * grey fur trimmed hood, sleeves - lives in city, civilian but loves to be in the country riding horses Chaucer looks at him negatively because he does not follow his vows and doesn't care about helping others | |
| 490732606 | A Friar (Hubert) | • jolly, merry, very festive but notoriously evil and cunning • married off girls after he had gotten them into trouble * fixing up marriages for women by setting up young men with certain young women in his parish and performs marriage ceremonies based on what he says to the men in confession because he has affairs with the women.. forces men to marry the pregnant women so he doesn't get caught • he charged people to hear their confessions, the more you paid the more "repentant you were" • white neck = loose or immoral person • He knew all the taverns, innkeepers and barmaids (not the sick and needy) abuses everybody and everything - licensed by the Pope to beg for money • He even begged off of poor widows who had next to nothing • dressed with expensive fabrics • overweight | |
| 490732607 | A Merchant | • He convinces everyone that he was an expert in finance (his secret - he was horribly in debt) • solemn, serious, intelligent and cunning • He sets up a safety patrol at the English Channel, safety for tradesmen • excellent fellow | |
| 490732608 | An Oxford Cleric | • very thin (almost under fed), threadbare clothing • but has 20 books with him (a small fortune) • Hasn't sought secular employment yet, still studying • He did not talk often, but when he did it was with great dignity and moral virtue - multicolored clothes, imported hat, high on his horse, daintily buckled boots (costumed made) thin sole - very serious talker of business - student in university, preparing for priest hood - by his bed he preferred having 20 books in red and black * all hand copied, very expensive - loves learning and reading more than anything else - moral virtue - gladly learned and taught - Chaucer looked at him positively but he used others money (only negative) | |
| 490732609 | a Serjeant at the Law | • "Serjeant" means that he had to practice law with distinction for at least 16 years • he knew every law that ever existed, every judgment, every case, every crime • occasionally appointed by the king to serve as the judge on cases • "parti-colored coat," sign of affluence, silk was expensive (imported from the East and had to be tailored) * puts on a show - Chaucer looks at him very positively | |
| 490732610 | a Franklin | • wealthy landowner, but not of noble birth • "Epicurus' son" = pleasure was his priority • entertained in a very lavish manner • "purse of silk" = wealth • acted as Sheriff, checking and auditing each person's property accepts bribes from each of his jobs; very corrupt | |
| 490732611 | a Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, a Weaver, and a Carpet-Maker | • all belonged to a guild (associations of tradesmen, somewhat powerful in this time period) • luxuriously dressed • their wives are demanding and controlling, they want servants to carry their mantles and trains like a queen | |
| 490732612 | a Cook | • servant to the Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, and Carpet-maker • excellent cook!!! no one can cook like him • open sore on knee though, can that make his food unappetizing? | |
| 490732613 | a Skipper | • from Dartmouth, known for its piracy and for the brutality of its sailors • couldn't ride his horse, looked awkward on it • stole wine while in Bordeaux • ignored his conscience, immoral, well-tanned, rough • bad guy - kills all prisoners • had a bad temper | |
| 490732614 | a Doctor | • used astronomy and astrology, used his patient's horoscope for information on how to treat them • considered a perfectly practicing physician • in league with the druggist - worked with the pharmacist to make more money off of people • familiar with medical authorities and their works • not excessive in his own life, very healthy • not religious, materialistic • made a lot of money working during the Plague | |
| 490732615 | Wife of Bath | • somewhat deaf, gap-teeth, large hips hidden by her clothing • wanted front row in church and to be first at any offering • wore a heavy (10 lbs) head dress, red stockings, and new shoes • no occupation, considered marriage her occupation • went on other famous pilgrimages - Jerusalem, Rome, Boulogne, Compostella, and Cologne • knew the remedy to "love's mischances" | |
| 490732616 | the Parson | • very poor but rich in holy thoughts • his principle was to live the perfect life first and then teach by example • he cared for his parishioners, nothing could keep him from going to check on them • moral and humble • he truly watched over his own congregation • wanted everyone he met to go to heaven • (with all the bad examples Chaucer has presented) the Parson is the ideal Christian parish priest | |
| 490732617 | the Plowman | • ideal Christian man • followed the two greatest commandments, love god and love your neighbor as yourself • god-fearing man who helps others • the Parson's brother • promptly paid his tithes | |
| 490732618 | the Miller | • big and brawny man who could wrestle anyone • red beard, hairy wart on his nose, hair in his ears, black nostrils • thief and cheat, would cheat people with the amount of grain that they brought in • loved playing the bagpipes | |
| 490732619 | the Manicple | • a steward for a dormitory of law students (30 in all) • in charge of buying food for the lawyers, very frugal and shrewd • most times outwitted the lawyers and ended up with money in his own pocket | |
| 490732620 | the Reeve | • thin, legs were lean, bad temper • hair cut short and close = sign of servility • manager of a large estate, able and efficient so he gained a large fortune for his lord (and himself), kept a close account of everything • the serfs on his lord's manor are afraid of him • still brought his lord gifts of goods to earn thanks (to suck up to him) | |
| 490732621 | the Summoner | • a man paid to summon sinners to come to trial • red complexion, boils and lesions all over his face (nothing could cure them) • gets drunk and only speaks in Latin • children afraid of him • could be bribed very easily | |
| 490732622 | the Pardoner | • sold pardons and indulgences to those charged with sins • loud high-pitched voice, long flaxen hair, had no beard (and would never have a beard), effeminate characteristics • knew how to sing and preach to people to frighten them to buy the relics • made a lot of money selling his fake relics | |
| 490781492 | NUN 2 | - secretary to the other nun A very devout nun who, because she believes that idleness leads to sin, begins her story immediately. |
