The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales

1. The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales The Monk The Friar The Merchant The Oxford Cleric Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

2. The Monk Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

3. The Monk • Characterization • Diction • “one of the finest sort/ Who rode the country” (163-164) • Suggests he travels often • A monk is religious person who lives away from the world in cloister where he resigns his life to Christ Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

4. The Monk • “His bridle, when he rode, a man might hearJingling in a whistling wind as clear,Aye, and as loud as does the chapel bell Where my lord Monk was Prior of the cell.” (167-170) • Expensive accessories Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

5. The Monk • “The Rule of good St. Benet or St. Maur/ As old and strict he tended to ignore” (171-172) • Ignores the rule of proper behavior for a monk Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

6. The Monk • “he spared for no expense” (190) • “He was not pale like a tormented soul/ He like a fat swan best, and roasted whole.” (203-204) • Pale=inside all day (cloistered) • Ate very well Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

7. The Monk • Purpose of the Diction • Characterizes the Monk as a hypocrite • Not concerned about the welfare of others • Self-centered Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

8. The Monk • Our Reaction • We do not like the Monk Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

9. The Friar Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

10. The Friar • Characterization • Diction • “a wanton one and merry” (206) • Wanton=jolly Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

11. The Friar • “He’d fixed up many a marriage, giving each/ Of his young women what he could afford her.” (210-211) • Chaucer implies that the Friar arranges marriages for girlfriends he is tired of Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

12. The Friar • “Sweetly he heard his penitents at shrift/ With pleasant absolution, for a gift.” (219-220) • Absolves peoples sins in exchange for gifts • Unethical Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

13. The Friar • “His neck was whiter than a lily-flower/ But strong enough to butt a bruiser down.” (236-237) • He is stronger than he appears Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

14. The Friar • “He knew the taverns well in every town And every innkeeper and barmaid too Better than lepers, beggars and that crew, For in so eminent a man as he It was not fitting with the dignity Of his position, dealing with a scum Of wretched lepers; nothing good can come Of commerce with such slum-and-gutter dwellers, But only with the rich and victual-sellers.” (238-246) Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

15. The Friar • Not interested in helping the poor • The poor cannot offer him anything • More familiar with the bartenders than the people he should be offering help to. Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

16. The Friar • “He was the finest beggar of his batch, And, for his begging-district, payed a rent; His brethren did no poaching where he went. For though a widow mightn’t have a shoe, So pleasant was his holy-d’ye-do He got his farthing from her just the same Before he left, and so his income came To more than he laid out.” (250-257) Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

17. The Friar • The Friar has a license to beg • Takes money from the poor as well as the rich • Unethical • Remember, the Friar took a vow of poverty Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

18. The Friar • “Of double-worsted was the semi-cope Upon his shoulders, and the swelling fold About him, like a bell about its mould When it is casting, rounded out his dress.” (264-267) • Expensive and extravagant clothing • Overweight Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

19. The Friar • Purpose of the Diction • Demonstrates that the Friar is unethical • Uses his position to better himself • Takes advantage of people • Goes against his vows Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

20. The Friar • Our Reaction to the Friar • We do not like him • We should not trust him Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

21. The Merchant Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

22. The Merchant • Characterization • Diction • “There was a Merchant with a forking beard And motley dress; high on his horse he sat, Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat And on his feet daintily buckled boots. He told of his opinions and pursuits In solemn tones…” (274-279) Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

23. The Merchant • Concerned with appearances and social stature • Thinks highly of his opinions • Bores others with his commentary Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

24. The Merchant • “This estimable Merchant so had set/ His wits to work, none knew he was in debt” (283-284) • False appearances Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

25. The Merchant • Purpose of the Diction • Demonstrates the narcissism of the Merchant • Critics believe that because of the personal description of the Merchant, Chaucer had a particular individual in mind when writing about this character. Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

26. The Merchant • Witty Ending • “To tell the truth I do not know his name” (288) • The merchant is so concerned about his social status and with achieving recognition, yet Chaucer cannot remember his name. Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

27. The Merchant • Our Reaction to the Merchant • Not much of an opinion • We laugh at him • He is somewhat forgettable Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

28. The Oxford Cleric Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

29. The Oxford Cleric • Characterization • Diction • “…his horse was thinner than a rake, And he was not too fat, I undertake, But had a hollow look, a sober stare; The thread upon his overcoat was bare. (291-294) • Fits the stereotype of the poor, starving student Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

30. The Oxford Cleric • “He preferred having twenty books in red And black, of Aristotle’s philosophy, Than costly clothes, fiddle or psaltery.” (298-300) • More concerned with learning than with physical appearances Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

31. The Oxford Cleric • “Whatever money from his friends he took He spent on learning or another book And prayed for them most earnestly, returning Thanks to them thus for paying for his learning.” (303-306) Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

32. The Oxford Cleric • The Cleric repays his debts by praying for those who loaned him money • More spiritual than the Monk or the Friar Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

33. The Oxford Cleric • Purpose of the Diction • Demonstrates the commitment of the Oxford Cleric to his studies • Reminds us of the lack of commitment demonstrated by the Monk and the Friar Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales

34. The Oxford Cleric • Our Reaction to the Oxford Cleric • Not much of an opinion • Relatively forgettable character Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales