Far across the sea in Flanders, a handsome, young knight by the name of Sir Topas lives. Sir Topas is a great hunter, an accomplished archer, and a skilled wrestler. Every maiden in the land pines for his love, but Sir Topas takes little interest in these maidens. One day, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chaucer’s Tale of Sir TopasSummary and Analysis The Prioress’ Prologue And Tale
In a Christian town in Asia, one fourth of the area is occupied by Jews. Because a school for young Christian children is at the far end of the street through the ghetto where the Jews are isolated, the children are free to walk through the street to and from […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Prioress’ Prologue And TaleSummary and Analysis The Shipman’s Tale
The merchant invites Sir John to his home for a few days. During this visit, the monk encounters the merchant’s wife in the garden. Noticing her pallor, he questions her. She agrees to tell him her problems of marital neglect if both swear themselves to total secrecy; then she tells […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Shipman’s TaleSummary and Analysis The Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale
The Pardoner then explains to the pilgrims the methods he uses in preaching. His text is always “Radix malorum est cupidatis” (“Love of money is the root of all evil”). Always employing an array of documents and objects, he constantly announces that he can do nothing for the really bad […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Pardoner’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Physician’s Tale
In court before Judge Appius, Claudius falsely accuses Virginius of having stolen a servant girl (Virginia) from his house many years ago and keeping her all these years, pretending that she is his daughter. Before Virginius can defend himself, the evil judge orders that the young girl be brought immediately […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Physician’s TaleSummary and Analysis The Franklin’s Prologue and Tale
Arveragus, a noble, prosperous, and courageous knight, desires a wife. He finds and marries a beautiful young maiden, Dorigen, and the two vow that they will always respect each other and practice the strictest forbearance towards one another’s words and actions. Sometime after the wedding, the knight goes to England […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Franklin’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Squire’s Prologue and Tale
A noble king, Cambuskan, has two sons and a beautiful daughter named Canace (or Canacee). On the twentieth anniversary of Cambuskan’s reign, the king orders a splendid and lavish celebration. In the midst of the feast, an unknown knight appears and announces that he has come to the celebration bearing […]
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In The Merchant’s Tale, January, a wealthy, elderly knight, decides to marry. His reasons are clear enough: He wants to fulfill God’s wish that man and woman marry, and he wants a son to inherit his estates. January calls many of his friends together to listen to his plans and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Merchant’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Clerk’s Prologue and Tale
Part I: On the western shores of Italy lives Walter, the noble and gracious king who is handsome, young, and strong. Walter loves his freedom and has refused to be bound by marriage; his subjects, however, long for an heir to the throne. One day, a delegation of lords of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Clerk’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Summoner’s Prologue and Tale
A friar, who goes about seeking contributions, promises prayers and possible salvation in exchange for anything his parishioners will give. Once back at the convent, the friar promptly forgets to make the promised prayers. One day, the friar goes to the home of old Thomas, a rich but uneducated old […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Summoner’s Prologue and Tale