Chaucer's Prologue to the Canterbury Tales line by line summary
Unit 1:
Modern Literature (1400-1600)
1.
Geoffrey
Chaucer:
(1340-1400)
·
He
was born between 1340-1345 probably in London. His father was a
prosperous wine merchant.
·
In
1357 he was a page in the household of Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess
of Ulster (wife of Prince Lionel).
·
He
was captured by the French during the Brittany Expedition of 1359
but was ransomed by the King Edward III.
·
Edward
III later sent him to France on a diplomatic mission. He also travelled
to Genoa and Florence.
·
Around
1366, Chaucer married Philippa Roet, a lady in waiting in the Queen’s
household.
·
Phillippa’s
sister, Katherine Swynford later became the third wife of John of Gaunt (King’s
fourth son and Chaucer’s patron).
·
In
1374 Chaucer was appointed Comptroller of the Lucrative London
customs.
·
In
1386 he was elected Member of Parliament for Kent and also served
as a justice of peace.
·
In
1389, he was made clerk of the King’s works, overseeing loyal
building projects.
·
He
held a number of royal posts serving both Edward III and his
successor Richard II.
·
Chaucer
lived during
Edward
III – 1327-1377
Richard II – 1377 -1399
Henry IV – 1399 -1413
· He was the first poet to be
buried in Westminster Abbey now known as “The Poets Corner.”
·
Occleve wrote a famous poem “The Regiment
of Princess” on the death of Chaucer.
·
Chaucer
and Langland died in the same year (1400).
·
Chaucer
has been criticised for presenting about courts and cultivated classes
and neglect the suffering of the poor.
· He was the first national poet
of England.
·
He
is called father of English poetry and Grandfather of English Novel.
·
He
is called morning star of song, and morning star of Renaissance.
· Dryden called Chaucer “The father of
English poetry.”
· Arnold called him father of English
poetry.
·
Chaucer
introduced ‘Felicity’ in English.
·
Chaucer
has been called the “Prince of Plagiarists.”
Quotations about Chaucer
“Chaucer
was not in any sense a poet of the people” – by Hudson
Dryden said about him – “Here is God’s
plenty” and “A Rough diamond and must first be polished ere he shines”.
Arnold says about him – “Chaucer lacks
not only the accent of Dante but also the high seriousness.” And “Chaucer
is the earliest of the great moderns”.
‘Albert’
called Chaucer “The
earliest of the great moderns.” and “the morning star of Renaissance.”
“Chaucer
found his native tongue a dialect and left it a language” - By Lowes
“If
Chaucer is the father of English poetry, he is the grandfather of English
novel.” -By
G.K. Chesterton.
Edmund
Spenser in his “Faerie
Queene” called – “Chaucer, well of English undefiled.”
The
works of his life can be divided into three periods
1.
French
Period (1359-1372)
During
this time, Chaucer translated the "Roman de la Rose," a
French poem written during the 1200s. This book was almost a translated
version of French work “le Roman de la Rose” Jean de Meun and Guillaume de
Lorris.
Chaucer's
extensive reading of Latin poets such as Boethius also influenced
his own work.
He also
wrote his "Book of the Duchess," an elegiac poem that shared
much with contemporary French poetry of the time but also departed from that
poetry in important ways. He is the first one to use Ottava Rima in The
Book of The Duchess. (Ottava Rima is the eight-syllable line in couplet
rhyming)
This book
was written on the death of the Dutchess Blenche, who was the wife of
John of Gaunt (Patron of Chaucer). She belongs to Lancester. This
book is an elegy and allegory in nature. It comprises 1300 lines.
2.
Italian
Period (1372-85)
In 1372
Chaucer has been to Italy & came in personal contact with Dante,
Petrarch and Boccaccio. The important works of this period are: Troilus
and Criseyde, The Parlement of Foules, The House of Fame and The Legend of Good
Women.
Troilus
and Criseyde
He first
used Rhyme Royal in Troilus and Cressida. Rhyme Royal is ten syllable
line arranged in Seven-line stanza (ABAB BCC)
Chaucer’s Troilus
and Cressida is called novel in verse.
“Had
Chaucer written in prose it is possible his Troilus and Cressida and not
Richardson’s “Pamela” would be celebrated as 1st English Novel” - by S. D.
Neil.
The
Parliament of Foules (1382)
It is a 699-line
poem in rhyme royal by Geoffrey Chaucer, written in 1380–90.
Composed in the tradition of French romances.
The
Legend of Good Women (1385)
He
first used heroic couplet in
The Legends of Good Women. (Heroic couplet is ten syllable line
rhyming in Couplets i.e. Decasyllabic Couplet)
In the
“Legends of Good Women”, the 9 legends are - Cleopatra, Thisbe, Dido,
Hypsipyle, Medea, Lucrece, Ariadne, Philomela, Phyllis and Hypermnestra.
3.
English
Period (1386-1400)
The
famous work of this period is Canterbury Tales which was written after
influence of Boccaccio’s ‘The Decameron’.
The
Canterbury Tales (contains 17000Lines)
W. J.
Long called the
prologue to the Canterbury tales as “the prologue to modern fiction” because
of its realism.
Longest
tale of Canterbury
Tales is Knight’s Tale.
Boccacio
exercised a deep influence on Chaucer. On diplomatic mission he was sent
to Italy where he met Petrarch and Boccacio. He makes a clear reference
of Petrarch in his Clerk’s tale.
Dryden
re-wrote
Canterbury Tales in Modern English.
Nevill
Coghill interpreted
Canterbury Tales in 20th Century English.
The general
plan of Canterbury tales is taken from Boccacio’s Decameron. In
Canterbury the pilgrims could be seen going to Thomas a Beckett in the month
of April.
The general
prologue of The Canterbury Tales contains 858 lines.
Although in
Canterbury Tales 120 stories were planned but only 24 were completed.
In the
Canterbury Tales, 32 characters make the trip to the shrine of the
martyr Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
Although 29
characters are mentioned in line 24 of the “General Prologue.” The
narrator joins this group (making 30). The host, Harry Bailey, makes 31. The
Canon’s yeoman, who joins the group later, makes 32.
The
narrator gives a description of 27 Pilgrims. (Except second Nun or Nun’s Priest).
This work
remained unfinished at Chaucer’s death.
In Prologue
to Canterbury Tales Chaucer employed the Heroic couplet.
There are four
characters that are not criticised or satirised by Chaucer in The
Canterbury Tales –
i) Knight ii) Parson iii) Clerk iv) Plowman
Canterbury
Tales have the characters from three social groups or estates:
Nobility, Church and Commoners.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Summary
Starts with
April month, its showers change the drought of march. The west
wind zephyr’s sweet breath in every grove, crops and fields. The
young sun run his half course in Ram (the first division of zodiac). The
little birds make melody all night without sleep because of the nature.
In this time people like to go for pilgrimages and palmers like to
travel strange lands to meet shrines especially from England to Canterbury
seeking the martyr St. Thomas Becket who has helped them when they were
ill.
It so happened one day when the
narrator was lay at the Tabard inn in Southwark for his pilgrimage to
Canterbury. At night, 29 pilgrims arrived in the inn (24th line).
They met by chance and formed a group. The rooms in the inn are so wide
and spacious enough for the pilgrims. When the sun sets, Chaucer spoke
with everyone and became the part of that company. Chaucer asks them to
rise early and he will show the place to continue their pilgrimage. Chaucer
tell the readers that he has time and space so he likes to tell us their
condition, degree (social rank), and array (dress) of each pilgrim. The
narrator begins with Knight
1.
The
Knight
The Knight was a worthy man.
He loves Chivalry, Truth, Honour, Freedom, and Courtesy. He was worthy
in his Lord’s war (King Edward III or God). For battle, he ridden far away
in both Christian and heathen (non- Christian) lands and honoured for
his worthiness. He was at Alexandria, when it was captured (by king
Peter of Cyprus in 1365). Many times, he had taken the head of the table in
Prussia as the most honoured person among all the nations. He had fought
in Lithuania and in Russia, more than any other Christian of his rank. In Granada
also he had been at the siege of Algezir (near Gribaltar) and had
ridden in Benmarin. He had at Leyes (in Armenia) and Satalie
(in Asia Minor) when they were captured (by Peter of Cyprus). He had
been at Great (Mediterranean) sea for many noble expeditions. He
had fought in 15 deadly battles and also fought for Christian faith
at Trammisene (in Algeria) for 3 times and killed his enemy. He had
been once with Palata to fight against Turkey and enjoying his great
reputation still. He was worthy and wise. His behaviour is meek as a
maid and never uttered villainy (rude) words to any person. He was
very perfect and gentle. To tell about his appearance, His horse is good
but he is not well-dressed. He wore coarse cloth which was all soiled
by his armour. He just came from his voyage(war) to go for
pilgrimage. He rides with only his son and a yeoman in
attendance. (Worthy word comes 4 times).
2.
The Squire
With the
Knight, came his son, a young Squire who was a lover and lusty
bachelor training to be a knight. He has curly hair looks like as if
in curlers. He was about 20 years old with moderate height. He
has great strength and he had once in cavalry service in Flanders,
Artois, and Picardy (places in France). He borne (shaped) himself well in
short period with a hope of winning his Lady’s love. His garments were embroidered
like a meadow full of fresh flowers white and red. He sings flute
all the day. He was fresh like the month, May. His gown is short with
long and wide sleeves. He rides his horse well. He composes songs
and its music. He likes to engage in combat, dance, drawing and writings.
He sleeps shorter than a nightingale. He is courteous, modest and
serviceable. He carved before his father at the table.
3. The
Yeoman
Yeoman is
the only Knight’s servant accompanied them because he is pleased to
travel. He wore a coat and a green-coloured hood. Under his belt, he carried
bright and sharp arrows feathered with peacock feathers neatly. His dress
is in yeoman style. His arrows don’t droop with feathers. He carried a
bow in his hand. His hair is cropped and he has brown face. He knew
all skills in woodcraft. On his arm, he carries a fine armguard
and by his side, a sword and a buckler (shield). On the other side he
carries a fine dagger, which is mounted well and is sharp like the
spear. A silver medal of St. Christopher shine upon his breast. He
carries a horn and its strap is green. He is a forester. He does
not tell a story.
4.The
Prioress (nun)– Madame Eglentyn
The Prioress
(head of a convent) is Madame Eglentyn, who is simple and sweet in her
smiling. Her greatest oath is only by St. Loy. She sings the divine
service with the tone of nose. She spoke French neatly after
the school of Stratford at the Bowe. French in Paris style is
unknown to her. She has good table manners. She let no morsel fall
from her lips and She doesn’t wet her fingers while dip them in sauce
and no drop fell on her breast. On Courtesy was her pleasure, she wipes
her upper lip so clean that not a small stain can be seen on her cup
while she drinks. She reaches for her food without haste. She is charm
and pleasant. She strains herself on imitating courtly manners to show
her reverence (worthy). She is so charitable and so piteous. She weeps
for a mouse caught on trap, if it is dead or bleeding. For her small dogs,
she feeds roasted flesh or milk or wastel bread. She weeps of one of
the dogs is dead or someone hit it with a stick as she is so tender.
Her wimple
(headdress) was pleated. Her nose is good, her eyes is grey as glass.
Her mouth very small but soft and red. She has a fair and handsbreadth broad
forehead. She is not undergrowth. Her cloak is neat and she bore a rosary
on her arm which is decorated with green. There hangs a brooch of
gold very bright and on which was crowned A and thereafter Amor
Vincit Omnia Latin word which means ‘Love Conquers All’. This phrase occurs
in Chaucer’s French poem “The Romance of the Rose”. She was accompanied
by a nun, her Chaplin and three priests.
5. The
Second Nun
She
accompanies the Prioress.
6. The
Nun’s Priest
His name is
John.
7. The
Monk
The monk is
good looking and in charge of monastic property. He loves horse
riding and hunting. He is a manly man fit to be an abbot,
head of religious community for monks. He has a graceful horse in his stable.
And when he rides men might hear his horse’s jingle in a whistling wind
as clear as does the chapel bell. He hates the rule of St. Maur and St.
Bennet, because it was old and strict. He often tells let old things
pass and give space to new world. He did not give the text at a plucked hen
that says that hunters are not holy men. He doesn’t care rules and is like a
fish out of water. He keeps away himself from his monastery. He doesn’t
worth the texts as he worth oysters. The narrator agrees with monk and
views why he want to study the books in monastery as it makes him mad. What is
need for always holding the views of the book and do labour like St.
Augustine bids? How shall the world be served. Let Augustine have his
labour with him. He is a hunter for sure. He has greyhounds as
fast as bird flies to track and hunt hare. Hunting is his passion and
never give it up for any cost. His sleeves are edged with fur of the finest
land at the wrist. In order to tie his hood under his chin he has a fashioned
pin made of gold. There was a love knot at the bigger end. His head
is bald and shines like a glass. His face looks like oiled. He is
fatty and healthy. His eyes roll in his head glitters like a lead furnace.
His boots were soft and his horse is in great shape. He looks like a
cleric (priest). He is not pale like a tormented ghost. He loves to eat
fat swan of any roast. His palfrey (a docile horse used for riding
by women) is brown like a berry.
8. The
Friar - Huberd
The friar
was a wanton, merry and a limiter, licenced to beg. In all the four
orders of friar none knows so much smooth manners and fair language. He had
arranged many marriages for young women at his own cost. He was beloved and
familiar to Franklins (landowners) and worthy (rich) women of the town
all over the country. He said about himself that he has the power of confession
than a curate (parish priest). He hears confession sweetly and give pleasant
solutions. His penance was easy and he expect offerings. He preaches the
people to give offerings for poor friar to get away from their sins.
Many people are so hard hearted and cannot weep even they may suffer badly.
Instead of giving way to tears and prayers, he asks them to give silver for
poor friars. His hood was always stuffed with knives and pins to
give for fair wives. He could sing well and play fiddle. He can win
prizes for ballad songs. His neck was white as fleur de lys (lily).
He looks strong like a fighter. He knew the taverns in every town and he
knows every hosteler and tappester (barmaid) better than
lepers and beggars. His position is not fitted for him because a worthy
fair should acquaint with sick lazars (lepers). He is not honest because the
poor people’s acquaintance doesn’t bring any profit for him. It is better to
deal with rich people and with food sellers. He was courteous and humble in
service. He was the best beggar in his house and make use of his licenced
begging. None can speak against him even a widow doesn’t have a shoe; he feels
pleasant to read ‘In Principio’. (Verses in St. John’s gospel) and has
offerings before he leaves. His income was much larger than his rent. In anger,
he looks frolic like a puppy. In lovedays (meditation days), he wears
poor clothes to show his poverty. He wears the cloak to looks like a poor
scholar but he looks like a master or pope. His double cloak was double
worsted, it spread like a bell out of press. He is named for his wantonness.
He speaks pleasantly and tries to make his English sweet upon his tongue. While
tuning harp, his eyes twinkled in his head looks like stars at night. He
is called as Huberd.
9. The
Merchant
The
Merchant was a fork beard and dressed in multicoloured costume. He sat high on his horse. He wears a hat on his
head from Flanders. His boots are tied nice and neat. He expresses his
opinions in a formal and dignified manner and it sounds like for his own
profit. He desired that sea should be guarded from pirates from Middle burgh
to Orwell. He sells French crowns on the exchange at a profit and is
good in exchanging currencies. This worthy man uses his wit well so that none
can identify he is in debt. He is honourable in his management of bargains
and money dealings. Truly he is a worthy man but Chaucer do not know his
name. He tells a story of Unhappily married and the evils of
marriage between old men and young women.
10. The
Clerk of Oxford
The Clerk was a student of
Oxford University; after that he set to study logic. His horse is
thin like a rake and he is also not fat. He looks hollow and
sober. His outer cloak is a courtepy. It is
a doublet that has been
deeply pleated from the shoulders to the waist around the entire
garment, and then flared over the hips. He doesn’t think about his benefits and
he is not a worldly man to have a job. He has 20 books in black and red of
Aristotle and his philosophy. He would rather have
books than fine clothes or money. Though he is a philosopher, he has not
found the philosopher’s stone. He spends the money he gets from his friends
for buying books and regularly pray for the people who gives him for his
studies. He spoke short and quick and doesn’t speak a word more than a
need and whenever he speaks, his speech is full of moral virtue. He is glad
to learn and teach.
11. The
Sergeant of Law
The
Sergeant of Law is suspicious and wise man. He often been at the
church porch as it is a lawyer’s meeting place. He seems like having great
knowledge and of great admiration. He seems like full of knowledge and his
words are wise. He had been often a judge at the assizes (court) because
of his knowledge in patent and plain commission. For his knowledge he gained
many robes and fees. He is a great purchaser than any one and his
purchasing not faulted. He seems busier than he really is. He makes a
great show of his learning; citing cases all the way back to William the
Conqueror. Nobody can find a fault any document he draws up. He knows all
law and order completely by heart. He rode in a homely fashioned dress in a
coat of mixed colours, girt with a belt of silk ornamented with stripes. Of his
appearance, Chaucer can’t tell more. He is accompanied by a Franklin
12. The
Franklin
The Franklin is a rich landlord,
his beard is white as daisy. His complexion is sanguine. He loves to
have a sop of wine in morning. He loves to live in delight like
Epicurus’s own son who taught pleasure is the truly perfect happiness. He
is a greatest householder and known for hospitality like St. Julian, the
patron of hospitality. He eats bread with ale (beer). He has a better
stock of wine than anyone. His house is never without baked meat, fish,
and flesh. His house is snowed with food and drink, with all the
delicacies. He varies his meals and supper according to seasons of the year.
In his house, he has fat partridges in his coop (cage) and in his fish pool
he has stewe (many bream fish with arched back and pickerel (luce). His
cook will regret if his sauce is not pungent and sharp. He is always ready
with his kitchen equipment. His dining table is in his hall covered
with all foods ready for unexpected guests. At law sessions he is lord
and sire (president). He was knight of the shire (member of the parliament). A
short dagger and pouch made completely of silk hung from his belt white as
morning milk. He has been sheriff and auditor (tax collector) of his
county. There was nowhere such a worthy landowner.
5 Guildsmen
13. The
Haberdasher
14. The
Carpenter
15. The
Weaver
16. The
Dyer
17. The
Tapestry Maker
They were clothed
uniformly of a great solemn brotherhood. Their knives are finished with
silver not with brass and their tools are fresh and new. Their belts and
purses declare each of them are a respectable citizen to sit on a city a
Guildhall (city council) dais. Their wisdom shows they were fit to be a
councilman. They have enough property and income and their ambitious wives
agree and certainly they were to blame. They were called as Madame (My
Lady). They go to evening services by carrying a mantle. They have a
cook with them.
18. The
Cook- Roger
The Cook
was hired by the master workmen to boil chickens with marrowbones, a tart
flavouring powder and galingale (spices) during their journey. He knows
well a good draught of London ale (beer). He knows to roast, seethe,
boil and fry. He also knows to make mortrews, (liver soups) and also to
bake pies. He has an ulcer on his shin. He cooks blancmanger
(white foods) well. He is a noisy fellow. Pleased by the bawdy tales
of the Miller and the Reeve, he insists on telling a bawdy story of his own,
one left unfinished. His name is Roger.
19. The
Shipman- Ship name- Magdelayne.
The Shipman
is from Dartmouth. He rode upon a rouncy (all-purpose horse) as
best he knew how. He wears a long gown falling to the knee. He has a
dagger hanging from a cord about his neck and down his arm. The hot summer
made his complexion brown. He is a good fellow, steal many draughts of
wine from the merchants while they sleep from the journey to Bourdeaux.
He doesn’t care of conscience. If he fought and has victory, he sent
the victims by water (plank) to reach their home. He is skilled in
calculating tides, streams, and predict dangers. He also navigates
harbour by moon and sun’s position. There is none skilled like him from
Hull to Carthage. He is strong and wise in voyages. He faced many tempests
and he knew all the harbours from Gothland to the Cape of Finisterre.
And every creek (stream) in Britain and Spain. His ship was called Magdelayne.
20. The
Doctor of Physick
The Doctor
of Physick, speaks of physic (medicine) and surgery like no other in
this world. As he is interested in astrology, he treats his patients by
white magic and he makes his patients wait for the best time to treat them.
He knew the cause of every illness, whether it is due to hot or cold or
moist or of dry qualities and where they sprung and of what humour. He is very
perfect doctor because he can diagnose the root and cause of the illness and
also give medicine to cure. He has his old colleagues, apothecaries
(druggists) ready to send medicines and remedies for each of them to gain
profit. He knew all the classical physicians,
Aesculapius, Dioscorides, Rufus, Hippocrates, Haly, and Galen, Serapion,
Rhazes, Avicenna, Averroes, John the Damascan, Constantine, Bernard, Gaddesden,
and Gilbertus. He
is moderate in his diet. It is of no excess but of great nourishing
and digestible. He studies little on the Bible. He dresses in red
and bluish grey cloth; his coat is lined with taffeta and thin silk. He is
a spendthrift. He preserves what he earns during the plague. As
Gold is used for medicines, the physic too love gold. He is a
materialistic man greatly interested in money. He knows all the great medical
authorities, as well as his astrology, though he seldom reads the Bible.
21. The
Wife of Bath- Alice
The Wife of
Bath is from the place, Bath and she is deaf. She is skilled
in cloth-making and passed the famous cloth making towns, Ypres and
Gaunt across the English Channel.
In all
the parish there was no wife go to the church and offering before her; if anyone
did, she will become so angry because she was out of all charity (no love
for her neighbour). Her kerchiefs, she wears on Sunday upon her
head were very fine in texture and may weigh ten pounds. Her stockings were
of fine scarlet red, very closely laced, and shoes very flexible and
new. Her face is bold, fair, and red. She is a worthy woman all her
life. She has (married) five husbands at the church door, not counting
other company in youth. She has travelled three times to Jerusalem and she
has passed many foreign seas. She has been at Rome, Boulogne, Galicia at
Saint-James (of Compostella), and at Cologne. She knows much about
travelling. She has wide teeth. She sat easily on a slow horse.
She wears a large wimple (headdress
covering the head, neck, and the sides of the face), and on her head a hat as broad as a buckler or a
shield; She wears an overskirt about her large hips and on her feet a
pair of sharp spurs. She could laugh and chatter among friends. She knows the remedies
for love as she knew the old dance (tricks of the trade) of that
art.
The Wife
of Bath is named Alice, a cloth maker and five times a widow. Apparently
wealthy from her marriages, she has travelled a great deal, including three
trips to Jerusalem. She is well versed in marriage and lovemaking. Her theory
is that the woman must dominate in marriage. To make her point, she tells a
tale of a loathsome lady who, when her husband is obedient, becomes fair.
22. The Parson
He is a good man of religion and a poor parson of
a town. But he is rich in holy thought and work. He is also a
learned man and a scholar, who preach Christ's gospel truly. He
devoutly teaches his parishioners. He is gracious, diligent (hardworking), and
very patient in adversity (difficulty) that he has proven many
times. He was very reluctant to exclude for (non-payment of) his tithes. But
rather he gives, to his poor parishioners, some of his offering he received
at mass and also some of his income. He knew how to have sufficiency in
few possessions. His parish is wide, and houses far apart, but he doesn’t
neglect it for rain, thunder, in sickness or in trouble to visit. Those
living farthest away in his parish, high-ranking and low, he goes by foot,
and in his hand a stick. He gave this noble example to his sheep, that
first he follows, and afterward he teaches. He took those words out
of the gospel, and he added a metaphor also to that, “that if gold rust,
what must iron do?” that means if a priest, on whom we trust, should be foul
it is no wonder for a layman to go bad; and it is a shame, if a priest is
concerned. It will be like a shit-stained shepherd cleaning his sheep.
He gives an example, of his purity, and show how his sheep (people) should
live. He doesn’t rent out his benefice (ecclesiastical living) and leave
his sheep burdened in the mud. Whenever he has prospects to go to London to
Saint Paul's to seek an appointment as a chantry priest (praying for a
patron) or to be hired (as a chaplain) by a guild, he refuses it and dwells
at home to kept well his sheep fold (parish); so that the wolf did not make them
go wrong. He is a holy and virtuous, and greedless shepherd. He is not disrespectful,
dominant nor arrogant in his speech to a sinful man. In his teaching he is courteous
and kind. He leads people to heaven by his gentleness, and by good example. While
dealing with stubborn person, whoever he was, of high or low rank, he will
rebuke them sharply. He is a better priest who expected no pomp or ceremony,
and doesn’t make himself an overly demanding in his dealings with people. He taught
the teachings of Christ and His twelve apostles. He taught; but first he
followed it himself. He is with his brother Plowman. The Parson is a poor but loyal churchman who teaches
his parishioners by his good example. Refusing to tell an idle tale to his
fellow pilgrims, he tells what he terms a merry tale about the Seven Deadly
Sins.
23. The
Plowman
The plowman, is the brother of poor parson, who has carried many a
cartload of dung. He was a true and good worker who lives in peace and
love. He loves God with all his heart at all times, whether it happy
or pain for him. He loves his neighbour as himself. He would thresh
(winnow), make ditches, and dig, for poor people, without payment, if he
can do. He paid his tithes regularly of his own labor and of his
possessions. He rides upon a mare, in a tabard (sleeveless jacket). He is an honest man, the Parson’s brother.
He tells no tale.
There
was also a reeve, a miller, a summoner, a pardoner also, a manciple, and the
narrator-- there were no more.
24. The
Miller
The miller is a stout person; He has strong of muscle, and
bones. At wrestling he will always take the prize. There was no
door that he would not heave from the hinges, or break it by running at it
with his head like a battering ram. His beard was red like a fox, and
moreover broad like a spade. On his nose, he has a wart with
bunch of red hairs. His nostrils are black and wide. He wears a sword
and a buckler by his side. His mouth is like a large furnace. He is
a loudmouth and a fool talk mostly of sin and harlotry. He knows how to steal
corn and make thrice profit. Even he has a thumb of gold (lot of wealth), he
wears a white coat and a blue hood. He well knew how to blow and play a
bag-pipe very loud and leads the pilgrims out of town.
The Miller
is a jolly, drunken reveller who leads the company playing on his bagpipes.
25. The
Manciple
There
is a fine manciple of a temple (law school), of whom buyers of
provisions take example of how to be wise in buying of provisions. For
whether he pay (cash) or took (goods) on credit, he always watches so
(carefully for his opportunity) in his purchases. He is always fast and in good
state. It is a grace of God that such an unlearned man's wit surpasses
the wisdom of a group of learned men. He has more than three times ten (thirty)
masters, who were expert and skilful in law, from them at least a dozen
in that house could be worthy to be stewards of rent and land of any lord in
England. They make him live either by his own wealth in honour and debtless
(unless he is crazy); or live as economically as it pleased him to desire; and
(they will be) able to help all a shire in any emergency. But this Manciple
fooled them all.
The
Manciple is an uneducated man who is shrewd enough to steal a great deal from
the learned lawyers who hire him to look after their establishments.
26. The Reeve -Oswald,
Horse name Scot
The Reeve is a slim and
short-tempered man named Oswald. His beard is shaved as close as he can. His hair
is closely cropped by his ears. The top of his head in front is cut
short like a priest's. His legs are very long and very lean, like a
stick and there is no calf to be seen. He knows how to keep a granary and a
storage bin. There is no auditor who could earn anything (by catching him).
He knows by the drought and by the rain (What would be) the yield of his
seed and of his grain. His lord's sheep, his cattle, his herd of dairy cows,
his swine, his horses, his livestock, and his poultry was in Reeve's control.
According to his contract he gives the reckoning, since his lord is twenty
years of age. No man can find him in arrears. There is no farm manager, no
herdsman, or any other servant, whose deception and deceit he doesn’t know. They
were afraid of him as of the plague. His house is nicely located on a hill
and his place is shaded by green trees. He can buy property better
than his lord can. He is secretly very richly provided. He well knew
how to please his lord delicately, by giving and lending him some of his
lord's own possessions and also receives thanks, or a coat and hood (as a
reward). He is a good craftsman, a carpenter. He sat on a dapple-grey
colour horse called Scot. He wears a long outer coat of dark blue and by
his side he wears a rusty sword. He is from Northfolk, near to a town men call Bawdeswelle.
He has his coat hitched up and belted, like a friar. He ever rides as the
last of the pilgrims.
27. The Summoner
There is a summoner, who has a fire-red cherubim's face,
it is pimpled and discoloured, with swollen eyelids. He is as hot and lecherous
as a sparrow with black, scabby brows and a beard with hair fallen out. Children
are afraid of his face. There was no mercury, lead monoxide, nor sulphur, borax,
white lead, nor any oil of tarter, nor ointment that (no chemicals) would
cleanse and burn, that could cure him of his white boils and the knobs on
his cheeks. He loves to eat garlic, onions, and also leeks, and to drink
strong wine, red as blood; Then he will speak and cry out as if he were
crazy. When he has drunk deeply of the wine, he would speak no word but
Latin. He knows a few legal terms that he had learned from some text of
ecclesiastical law, he hears it all the day. He knows well how a jay can
call out "Walter" as well as the pope can. If anyone asks
questions to examine him in other matters, (Will find that) he has spent
all his learning; he always cries, “Questio quid juris” (“what point of the
law applies?"). He is a fine rascal and a kind one. For a quart of wine,
he will allow a good fellow to have his concubine (mistress) for twelve
months, and also excuse him completely. Secretly he also enjoys the
mistress with a clever trick. If he found anywhere a good fellow, he will teach
him to have no respect of the archdeacon's curse (of excommunication). He
also teaches that if a man's soul were in his purse; for in his purse, he will
be punished. He lies "Purse is the archdeacon's hell,". Each
guilty man should be afraid of excommunication, as it will kill just like forgiveness
saves and it let him beware of a Significavit (order for imprisonment).
He has control over the young people of the diocese, by knowing their
secrets, and become the adviser of all. He has set a garland upon his head,
as large as like the sign of a tavern. He makes himself a shield of a
cake. He is accompanied with Pardoner, his friend and colleague. The Summoner is a lecherous, drunken fellow who loves
food and strong drink.
The Pardoner
is a womanish man with long, blond hair.
This
is the end of the portraits of pilgrims.
The
narrator says that he had tell us truly and briefly about the rank, the dress,
the number, and also the cause, why this company has assembled in Southwark at
this Tabard inn, close by the Bell. Now he likes to tell how they conducted themselves
that same night, when they arrive in the inn. After that he will tell of their
journey and all the rest of our pilgrimage.
The narrator begs of reader’s courtesy, for do not attribute it to his
rudeness, for plainly speak about their words and their behaviour as he
doesn’t speak their words accurately. People who repeat a story after someone,
he must repeat as closely as ever he knows by every single word even, he may
speak ever so rudely and freely, or else he may tell his tale inaccurately, or make
up things, or find new words. He must not refrain (stop) from (telling the
truth), even he was his brother; Christ himself spoke very plainly in
holy Bible that you know well it is no rudeness. Also, Plato says,
whosoever knows how to read him, the words must be closely related to the deed.
The narrator asks forgiveness to the readers because he have not set the
characters in order of their rank. He promises that while telling their
tales, he will order them of their rank. He says that his wit is short, that we
need to understand.
The Host makes
great hospitality to everyone and to the supper he set them immediately.
He served them with best foods. The wine is strong, and pleased to drink.
29. Harry Bailey
The Host is an
impressive man and certainly (Qualified) to be a master of ceremonies in a
hall. He is a large man with protruding eyes. He is a better
business man in Cheapside. He speaks bold, and wise, and well mannered.
He lacked no qualities proper to a man. He is a right merry man; and
after supper he began to be merry, and spoke of mirth among others.
When the pilgrims pay their
bills, he said: "Now, gentlemen, truly, you are right heartily welcome
to me; for by my word, if I shall not lie (I must say), I saw not this year so
merry a company in this lodging as is (here) now. I would gladly make you
happy, if I knew how. I have just now thought of an amusement, to give you
pleasure, and it shall cost nothing. "You go to Canterbury -- God give you
success, may the blessed martyr give you your reward! As you go by the
way, you plan to tell tales and to amuse yourselves. It is no
comfort nor mirth to ride by the way dumb as a stone. So, I will make a
game for you, to provide you some pleasure, if the tale pleases everyone
unanimously to be subject to my judgment. And to do as I shall tell you, tomorrow,
when you ride by the way. Now, by the soul of my father who is dead, unless you
are merry, I will give you, my head! Hold up your hands, without more
speech.".
The pilgrim’s decision is not long to think as
it seemed to agree. So, they granted his request without more
discussion, and asked him to say his decision as it pleased him. "Gentlemen,"
said he, "now listen for the best course of action; But I pray you, do not
take it in disdain (scorn). This is the point, to speak briefly and clearly, that
each of you, must tell two tales in this journey to make our way seem short. On
the way to Canterbury, each should tell two stories and on the homeward trip he
shall tell two stories like the adventures that in old times have happened. Whoever
of you does best of all i.e.) the tales of best moral meaning and most pleasure
shall have a supper at the cost of us all, when we come back from
Canterbury. To make you all merrier, I will myself gladly ride with you, at
my own cost, and be your guide. Whosoever will not accept my judgment shall
pay all that we spend by the way. If you agree this, tell me straightway,
without more words and I will get ready early for this."
This thing is granted by the pilgrims and they take oaths with very glad
hearts, and pray for him to do so, that he will be their governor, judge,
and score keeper of their tales to set a supper at a certain price. They
unanimously accorded to his judgment. After that the wine is fetched
immediately; they drank, and each one went to rest, without any staying.
In the morning, the Host arise, and is the
rooster of them (awakened all) and gathered them together all in a flock.
Then they started their ride to the watering of Saint Thomas. There the Host
stopped his horse and said, "Gentlemen, listen, if you please. You know
your agreement, and I remind you of it. If what you said last night agrees with
what you say this morning, let's see now who shall tell the first tale. As
ever I may drink wine or ale, whosoever may be rebel to my judgment shall pay
for all that is spent by the way. Now draw straws, before we depart further
(from London); he who has the shortest shall begin.
He said, Sir Knight, my master and my lord, now draw a straw, for that is my
decision. He said, come nearer, my lady Prioress and sir Clerk, let be
your modesty, and study not; lay hand to (draw a straw), every man!"
Every person began straightway to draw, to tell as it was by chance, or
destiny, or luck. The draw fell to the Knight, for which everyone is
very happy and glad, he must tell his tale, by their previous promise and by
formal agreement. When the Knight, who is wise and obedient saw that it was his
turn, to keep his agreement, he starts. He said, "Since I must begin
the game, what! Welcome be the draw, in God's name! Now let us ride, and
listen to what I say." The pilgrims ride forth on their way and he began
with a truly merry demeanour.
30.
Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey
Chaucer is the author, who put himself into his poem as a retiring,
mild-mannered
person.
31. The
Canon
The Canon
is a traveller who joins the pilgrims briefly on the road to Canterbury. He
leaves when it is hinted that he is a cheating alchemist.
32. The
Canon’s Yeoman
The Canon’s
Yeoman, remains with the pilgrim company and tells an anecdote about an
alchemist, a canon like his master, who swindles a priest.
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