Canterbury Tales

Question 1

Knight

Answer 1

-Modest, modestly dressed
-True, honest, generous, chivalrous, noble, fierce warrior
Point: Ideal knight is humble and not frivolous

Question 2

Squire

Answer 2

-Flirtatious but humbled at father’s side
-Curled hair, moderate height, brightly dressed
-Agile and strong, youthful, literate, lusty
Point: Chivalry ideals were superfluous

Question 3

Yeoman

Answer 3

-Hunter, always prepared and takes care of possessions
-Proper, modest in manner
-Neatly dressed in green, weathered, carrying bow shield, sword
Point: Approves hard work, pride in work

Question 4

Prioress (nun)

Answer 4

• Stately, ladylike, concerned with appearance, “Madam Eglantyne”
• Courtly grace, attractively dressed, wearing cosmetics, curvaceous, solicitous
• Well-mannered, speaks crude French, nasally singing

Question 5

Monk

Answer 5

-Self-indulgent, hunts despite oaths
-Expensive fur, gold, fat, greasy face, bulging eyeballs, has a palfrey
-Vain and feminine
Point: Corrupt, self-indulgent often associated with the church

Question 6

Friar

Answer 6

• Manipulative, tricks young girls to his advantage
• White skin, threadbare shirt, keeps trinkets for girls
• Merry and festive, begs for living

Question 7

Merchant

Answer 7

-Talks big, finely dressed, opinionated and stately

Question 8

Oxford Cleric

Answer 8

• Student, very thin, uses friends to finance education
• Lofty and opinionated, unrealistic
• Formal and self-righteous

Question 9

“Serjeant at Law”

Answer 9

• Appears to be busy, not really

- Modestly dressed, book-smart, preoccupied, self-important

Question 10

Franklin

Answer 10

• Sanguine, loves food, good host

- Periodically a judge (Justice at Sessions), Member for the Shire (county rep. in Parliament)

Question 11

5 Tradesmen (Haberdasher, dyer, carpenter, weaver, carpet-maker)

Answer 11

• Prestigious in manner, well-dressed, new clothing, expensive accessories (silver)
• Assertive and confident, obsessed with image
• Guilds were becoming more powerful (wives wanted more power)

Question 12

Cook

Answer 12

• Ulcer on knee (bad intentions)

- Good cook

Question 13

Skipper

Answer 13

• Came from Dartmouth, rode farmer’s horse, simple dress, tan
• Thief, ruthless owns “The Maudelayne”

Question 14

Doctor

Answer 14

-Knows trade well, well-practiced
-Dressed luxuriously, prudent with money
Point: Illustrates symbiotic relationship between druggists and doctors (scheme for money)

Question 15

Wife of Bath

Answer 15

• Fine kerchiefs, five husbands, skilled in wandering

- Gap-teeth, curvaceous, well-practiced in arts of love

Question 16

Parson

Answer 16

• Religious Christian model, observes Gospel and helps everyone, leads by example
• Carries stave, learned clerk
• Benign, modest, humble, hard-working

Question 17

Plowman

Answer 17

• Brother of Parson
• Honest work and observer of Gospel
• Tabard smock, rode mare
• Farmers more honest

Question 18

Miller

Answer 18

• Wrangler, dirty story teller and thief
• Big-boned, strong, red hair, wart on nose
• Boastful and kind of a meathead

Question 19

Manciple

Answer 19

• Bought low, sold high, well-versed in business

- Never rash, smarter than educated (illiterate)

Question 20

Reeve

Answer 20

• Brown-noses authority, earned position by manipulation
• Crafty/wise, very thin, intuitive
• Carpenter, horse named Scot, overcoat of bluish, rusty blade (from Norfolk)

Question 21

Summoner

Answer 21

• Loved wine, often drunk, scoundrel
• Pus-filled sores, red face, acne, thin hair, narrow eyes
• Manipulative

Question 22

Pardoner

Answer 22

• Exaggerates to create sense of importance, sang songs
• Yellow, greasy hair, bulging eyes, smooth chin,
• Rode gelding or mare
• Used random stuff as “holy relics”

Question 23

Host

Answer 23

• Gracious and well mannered
• Bold actions, striking, little fact
• Merry, tactful, wise