The Canterbury Tales

Question 1

1)*Examine the structure of the General Prologue. Lines 1-42 explain where, when, and why these people are gathered

Answer 1

Where: England
When: Spring
Why: religious pilgrimage to see Thomas a Becket’s cathedral

Question 2

*Where are the pilgrims going? *What time of year is it? *Why are they going to this location? In what way does the overtly physical and worldly emphasis contrast the religious goal of pilgrimage?

Answer 2

where : Canterbury-cathedral
Why:religious pilgrimage
When: Spring year
Pilgrimage is supposed to take one out of the world, while these pilgrims are overly worldly during expedition

Question 3

*Look closely at the Knight’s portrait. He is generally considered to be an “ideal” pilgrim. What evidence can you find to support this? Compare him to his son, the Squire, who will one day be a knight himself.

Answer 3

Loved chivalry, fidelity, courtesy, had a good reputation (but his ideals are
tarnished like his rusty suit of armor)
● Been in many battles for the cause of faith (but he may be a hired sword who will
fight for anyone, even heathens, for a price)
● He is never rude (but he pursues violence, fights to the death)

Question 4

*Look closely at the portrait of the Prioress. *What does Chaucer praise about
her character? What do these points of praise have to do with her function as a
nun and a prioress?

Answer 4

Joyful, charitable, well-mannered (but why should eating manners matter? Eating
is worldly)
● Merciful to animals (but pets aren’t allowed)
● Sings well (but Chaucer says she sings through her nose, which is not a
compliment)
● She speaks French (but only a country dialect and not authentic French)
● Has a “Love conquers all” bracelet (but not a religious type of love)
● She is very worldly and is not supposed to be

Question 5

Consider Chaucer’s narratorial persona. In what ways is it different from our understanding of Chaucer the poet? What does Chaucer the poet know that his narrator doesn’t? Chaucer also includes a pilgrim identified as himself. How does this affect our take on The General Prologue and the Canterbury Tales as a
whole?

Answer 5

Chaucer’s narrative persona is very simplistic/gullible and takes every pilgrim at their word (i.e. if the Knight says he’s super brave and strong, Chaucer writes that as fact). This is unlike our understanding of Chaucer, who was extremely clever and intelligent.

Question 6

• What method does the Host use to determine the order of the tale tellers?
• Who will tell the first tale? *Is there anything odd or striking about these results?

Answer 6

Draw straws
Knight tells 1st
The drawing reflects the hierarchy of society at the time