British Literature
Tim Zhang
The Canterbury Tales General Prologue Assignment
1. Clerics: Nun, Nun#2, 3 priests, friar, parson
Military: Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Shipman.
Gentry: Skipper, Reeve, Manciple, Pardoner, Summoner
Laborers: Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, Carpet Maker, Cook, Doctor, Plowman, Miller
Middle Classes: Merchant, Oxford Clinic, Serjeant at the Law, Franklin,
Other: Woman
2. 2 with the most vivid physical descriptions
Monk - his bridle jingles as loud and clear as a chapel bell.
Pardoner – sings along with the summoner and has long, flowing yellow hair. He rides very fashionably and has nothing to cover his head. He has brought many souvenirs and has a high voice.
3. 2 whose characters portrayed vividly.
Friar - he is supposed to be poor because friar’s live entirely by begging. Yet Chaucer describes him as an extremely rich man that pays no attention to beggars.
Summoner – he has carbuncles, narrow eyes, black scabby brows and a thin beard, he would let anybody keep a concubine if you gave him wine.
4. 1) The narrator said that the summoner was a “noble varlet and a kind one” because if you gave him wine, he would cover up the fact that you were keeping a concubine. I knew Chaucer was being ironic when the cruel physical appearance contrasted deeply with his “noble and kindness” and when he said that “we should beware...
