Summary Of The Canterbury Tales Essay, Research Paper

The Canterbury Tales

The Knight is the perfect and extremely polite man who loved truth, freedom, chivalry, and honor. He was well-known man. He had ridden into a battle in both Christian and heathen lands and in every instance served his king well. He never boasted of his actions nor bored his listeners with his achievements.

The Squire would be candidate for knighthood. When not in battle, he thinks himself as quite a lady?s man. He takes meticulous care of his curly hair and is somewhat proud of his appearance. He could also sing happy songs, compose melodies, write poetry, and could ride a horse with distinction.

The Yeoman was a servant to the Knight and Squire. He dressed all in green and was known as an expert woodsman and an excellent shot with the bow and arrow.

The Prioress named Madame Eglantine was also among the pilgrims. She was rather educated, even though her French was not accepted Parisian French. She was very coy and delicate. When she ate, she took great care that no morsel fell from her lips and that no stains were on her clothes. She was very courteous and amiable and tried to imitate the manners caught in a Court. She could not stand pain and would weep to see a mouse caught in a trap. She had three small hounds with her which she treated very gently and tenderly. Her dress was very neat and tidy.

The Monk was an outrider for his monastery. He owned several horses furnished with the finest saddles and bridles. He loved hunting, fine foods and lots of it; he had several good hunting dogs of which he was very proud of. He dressed in fine clothes, some were even trimmed in fur. He was rather fat, very jolly and bald headed. He favored the outdoor life to that of a closed, indoor life.

The Friar was a careless and merry man who helped many girls get married after he got them into trouble. When he heard confessions, he worked under the principle that the repentance is best executed by money rather than by prayers. So the person contributing the most money received the quickest and best pardon. The Friar was the type who knew the taverns and inns better than he knew the leper houses and the hospitals. He was always able to get money from people.

The Merchant was a member of the rich and powerful middle class. He was clever and knows how to make a good bargain. He talks and looks so solemn and impressive, and transacts his business in such a stately manner that few knew he was deeply in debt.

The Clerk, who was a student at Oxford, was extremely thin, rode a very thin horse, and his clothes were threadbare because he preferred to buy books rather than clothes and food. He did not talk often, but when he did, it was with great dignity and moral virtue.

The Franklin was large landowner with a certain amount of wealth, but he was not of noble birth. He spent his money freely, enjoying good, food, and wine. And company. His house was always open and he was a true epicurean, devoting his energies to fine living and was generally liked by the other pilgrims.

The Good Wife was somewhat deaf, but was an excellent seamstress and weaver. She made a point of being first at the altar or offering in church. Her scarves must have weighed ten pounds and she wore scarlet red stockings. She has been married five times and has been on expeditions to Jerusalem, Rome, Bologna, Galice, and Cologne. She was gap-toothed and rode a horse easily. She enjoyed good fellowship and would readily laugh and joke. Her special talent was her knowledge of all the remedies of love.

The Parson was a very poor but very rich in holy thoughts and works. He would rather give his own scarce money to his poor parishioners than to demand tithes from them. His principle was to live the perfect life first, and then to teach it. His life was a perfect example of the true Christian priest, and by his good example, he taught, but first followed it himself.

The Plowman was a small tenant farmer who lived in perfect peace and charity. He loved God with all his heart. He was always honest with his neighbors and promptly paid his tithes to the church.

The Miller was a big brawny man who could outwrestle any man. He was short shouldered, broad and thick set. His set beard and a wart on his nose from which bristly red hairs protruded made him look fearful. He played the bagpipes as the pilgrims left the town.

The Reeve was the manager of a large estate. He was a skinny man with a bad temper. His close cut beard and his short haircut intensifies his thinness and long legs. He was an able, efficient, and shrewd man who had a reaped rich rewards from his master. The serfs, herdsman, and workers, feared him dreadfully because of his relentless perseverance. He had reaped profits for himself by being so shrewd at buying. He was once a carpenter and rode last among the group.

The Pardoner was a church official who had authority from Rome to sell pardons and indulgences to those charged with sins. He had just returned from Rome with a bagful of pardons which he planned to sell to the ignorant at a great profit to himself. He had a loud, high pitched voice, yellow, flowing hair, was beardless and furthermore would never have a beard. But there was no one so good at his profession as was this Pardoner. He knew how to sing and preach so as to frighten everyone into buying his pardons at a great price.

345