An archdeacon (a church official who presided over church courts) uses a crew of spies, including whores, to seek out information about the people living in the parish. With the derogatory information in hand, the archdeacon calls upon the sinners and miscreants and squeezes exorbitant tribute from them so that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Friar’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale
To defend her position, the Wife refers to King Solomon, who had many wives, and to St. Paul’s admonishment that it is better to marry than to burn. Having shown a knowledge of the Bible, she challenges anyone to show her that God commanded virginity. Furthermore, sexual organs are made […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Man of Law’s Prologue and Tale
While in Rome, a company of Syrian merchants hear of the emperor’s daughter, Dame Constance, who is the epitome of beauty, goodness, and innocence. Upon their return to Syria, the merchants share their adventures with the young Syrian ruler, the Sultan, who is particularly captivated by the descriptions of Lady […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Man of Law’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Cook’s Prologue and Tale
An apprentice cook, named Perkin Reveler, works in London and loves dancing, singing, gambling, carousing, and all types of sinful things. After being dismissed by his master, the young man is free to revel all night and day and joins another young man as corrupt as he is and moves […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Cook’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Reeve’s Prologue and Tale
A dishonest miller, who lives close to a college, steals corn and meal brought to his mill for grinding. One day, the manciple (or steward) of the college is too ill to go to the mill to watch the miller grind his corn, and, in his absence, the miller robs […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Reeve’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Miller’s Prologue and Tale
John, an old and very jealous carpenter who is married to an 18-year-old girl named Alison, rents a room to a young astrology student named Nicholas, who can supposedly forecast the likelihood of rain showers or drought. Nicholas soon falls in love with Alison and one day grasps her around […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Miller’s Prologue and TaleSummary and Analysis The Knight’s Tale
One morning several years later, Palamon sees the beautiful Emilie wandering about in her garden and cries out in pain. Arcite peers from the tower window and, upon seeing the fair Emilie, proclaims his own love for her. Because both knights claim their love for Emilie, their friendship gives way […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The Knight’s TaleSummary and Analysis The Prologue
The Host at the inn, Harry Bailey, suggests that, to make the trip to Canterbury pass more pleasantly, each member of the party tell two tales on the journey to Canterbury and two more tales on the journey back. The person who tells the best story will be rewarded with […]
Read more Summary and Analysis The PrologueCharacter List
The Knight Socially the most prominent person on the pilgrimage, epitomizing chivalry, truth, and honor. He stands apart from the other pilgrims because of his dignity and status. The Miller A drunken, brash, and vulgar man who rudely interrupts the Host, demands that his tale be next, and warns everyone […]
Read more Character ListAbout The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer, however, came up with the ingenuous literary device of having a pilgrimage, a technique that allowed him to bring together a diverse group of people. Thus Chaucer’s narrators represent a wide spectrum of society with various ranks and occupations. From the distinguished and noble Knight, we descend through the […]
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