CANTERBURY TALES (I)

From The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

• Geoffrey Chaucer was a soldier, diplomat, and a royal clerk.
• The Canterbury Tales provides the best contemporary picture.
• King Edward paid £16 for Chaucer's release when he was put in jail.
• Growing older, Chaucer began displaying penetrating insight into human character.
• The Canterbury Tales encompass medieval literature: romance to comedy, from rhyme to prose, and from crude humor to religious mysteries.

Chaucer's Guided Tour of Medieval Life and Literature

• A disaster or a crisis - rich and poor, old and young, gather together to support each other.
• Chaucer found a joyous event - a pilgrimage, a journey to a sacred spot - gathering all of lifestyles together. 
• There's the lords or the kings. Then there's the nobles - the courtly world. Then there's professional men - middle ranks. Finally, there's craftsmen, storekeepers, peasants, and minor administrators - the lower orders.
• Chaucer is know as the father of English poetry.

From The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

• St. Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170.
• "There was a Knight, a most distinguished man...": The story begins with the introduction of the Knight, representing truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy. 
• "He had his son with him, a fine young Squire, " Next the story introduces the knight's son, describing him as a lover and a cadet and a lad of fire. 
• Chaucer users imagery in deceiving either the Knight, his clothes, his personality and the same with his son, he uses direct and indirect characterization. 
• St. Christopher was a patron saint of travelers. 
• "There also was a Nun, a Prioress...": Then was introduced a nun, who's very well mannered, extremely entertaining, pleasant, friendly, solicitous, sympathetic, etc. 
• "A Monk there was, one of the finest sort...": A Monk was introduced next, being a "manly man" with a dainty horse.
• "There was a Friar, a wanton one and merry...": A Friar was next, a good speaker and a festive fellow. 
• "There was a Merchant with a forking beard...": Next in line was a merchant, who's an exper in currency exchange but was in debt. 
• "A Sergeant at the Law who paid his calls...": Sargeant was someone who was wary and wise.
• "There was a Franklin with him, it appeared;" A sanguine man, benign. Lived for pleasure. 
• " A Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, A Weaver and a Carpet-maker were..." They were all trim and fresh, each a worthy fit for the burgess. 
• "They had a Cook with them who stood alone...": Was an amazing cook, who could recognize a flavor without any difficulty, but had an ulcer in his knees. 
• "There was a Skipper hailing from far west;" An excellent fellow, prudent in undertaking. 
• A Doctor too emerged as we proceeded;" extremely knowledgeable about his field of interest: medicine and surgery; a perfect practicing physician.
• "A worthy woman from beside Bath city..." Somewhat deaf, her face: bold, handsome, red in blue. 
• "There was, and poor, the Parson to a town..." rich in thought and work, and a clerk, benign and diligent. 
• "There was a Plowman with him there, his brother..." Honest, good, true.
• "The Miller was a chap of sixteen stone...": Great fellow, a master-hand at stealing grain. 
• "The Reeve was old and choleric and thin;" Could judge by watching drought and rain. 
•  "There was a Summoner with us in the place...": A gentle varlet and a kind one. But drinks a lot. 
• "He and a gentle Pardoner rode together..."
• "Our Host gave us a great welcome...": A striking man, and fit to be the marshall. Bold yet wise.