Socially, the Knight is by far the most prestigious person on the pilgrimage. He has fought in many battles and served his king nobly. (Readers should note that the Knight has not fought in secular battles; all his battles have been religious battles of some nature.) He is the very […]
Read more Character Analysis The KnightCharacter Analysis Harry Bailey, the Host
The Host proves himself to be a very good tour guide, a position that is very hard to fulfill since he has to please such a wide variety of pilgrims. He proves himself capable of handling most of the arguments and keeping everyone in line. Even when the Cook gets […]
Read more Character Analysis Harry Bailey, the HostSummary and Analysis Chaucer’s Retraction
Analysis Nearly everything Chaucer mentions among the books he revokes are imbued with or shot through with religious feeling, however secular the subject matter might be. Why Chaucer wrote his retraction is not clear. Many wish he had not. Nevertheless, whether from religious terror or for the sake of playing […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chaucer’s RetractionSummary and Analysis The Parson’s Prologue and Tale
The Parson’s Tale is a solemn and formal sermon, long and tedious, on the renunciation of the world. The Parson speaks of all life as a pilgrimage from this base, mundane world to the next celestial world, where all grief ends. God does not desire any man to perish, and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Parson’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Manciple’s Prologue and Tale
In a faraway land, Phoebus is the ideal man: a great warrior, a skilled musician, and very handsome and kind. He has a wife whom he loves more than life itself and bestows upon her all the kindness and love at his command, but he is extremely jealous. In Phoebus’ […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Manciple’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Canon’s Yeoman’s Prologue and Tale
The first part of the Yeoman’s tale is autobiographical: He explains that once he had good clothes and a comfortable living, that he and the Canon are alchemists, and that he is so in debt because their attempts at alchemy always fail. He then tries to explain their occupation, their […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Canon’s Yeoman’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Second Nun’s Prologue and Tale
A noble young lady named Cecilia loves the Virgin Mary and chastity so much that she wants to remain a virgin forever. Ultimately, however, she is betrothed to a man named Valerian, and on her wedding night, she informs her new husband that a guardian angel will slay anyone who […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Second Nun’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Nun’s Priest’s Tale
One spring morning, Chaunticleer awakens from a terrible dream of a beast roaming in the yard trying to seize him. This beast’s color and markings were much the same as a fox. Lady Pertelote cries out, “For shame . . . . Fie on you / heartless coward” (“Avoi (coward) […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Nun’s Priest’s TaleSummary and Analysis The Monk’s Tale
Analysis The Monk’s series of little tragedies report the gloomy news that all wealth and position in the world are pure illusion, and nothing can prevent the fall of the proud. The Monk sums up his theme in the introductory stanza: “For sure it is, if fortune decides to flee, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Monk’s TaleSummary and Analysis The Tale of Melibee
The three burglars are found and brought before Dame Prudence, who suggests a peaceful settlement. Her husband, Melibee, decides to let them off with a fine, but Dame Prudence vetoes this. Melibee then forgives the burglars, rebukes them, and extols his own magnanimity. We never know what happens to Sophia. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Tale of Melibee