The Canterbury Tales
by Geoffrey Chaucer
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Plot Summary
- Cast of Characters
- An Analysis of Major Characters
- Symbols and Themes
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Summary and Analysis
- The General Prologue
- The Knight's Tale
- The Miller's Tale
- The Reeve's Tale
- The Cook's Tale
- The Man of Law's Tale
- The Wife of Bath's Tale
- The Friar's Tale
- The Summoner's Tale
- The Clerk's Tale
- The Merchant's Tale
- The Squire's Tale
- The Franklin's Tale
- The Physician's Tale
- The Pardoner's Tale
- The Shipman's Tale
- The Prioress' Tale
- The Tale of Sir Topas
- The Tale of Melibee
- The Monk's Tale
- The Nun's Priest's Tale
- The Second Nun's Tale
- The Canon Yeoman's Prologue and Tale
- The Manciple's Prologue and Tale
- The Parson's Tale
- Chaucer's Retraction
- Significant Quotations
- Key Facts
- Points to Ponder
- Discussion Questions
- Take The Quiz
- Further Reading
- Flashcards
- Biography of Geoffrey Chaucer
Cast of Characters
The Narrator – The Narrator, Chaucer, is also a character in the book. However, the Chaucer in the book may not represent the actual Chaucer, especially in light of the retraction found at the end of the book. The Narrator introduces himself as sociable, but the Host considers him to be withdrawn. This makes the reader aware that the Narrator’s perceptions may not match the perceptions of the other Pilgrims, and the Narrator has chosen how to present the characters.
The Host – The host is leading the group on the trip to Canterbury. The Host is generally an affable man with a good sense of humor, but he is also short-tempered and can be cutting with the other members of the group. He is the one who suggests that the pilgrims take turns telling stories on their trip, and he attempts to set the order in which they will tell their tales.
The Knight – The Knight tells the first tale in The Canterbury Tales. He is an idealized version of a knight during that time period, having participated in at least 15 crusades. The Narrator admires the knight, whom he considers both brave and wise.
The Squire – The Squire is the Knight’s squire, which was an apprentice to a knight. He is also the Knight’s son. The Squire is a handsome young man with curly hair. The Squire likes to dance and enjoys pursuing women.
The Yeoman – The Yeoman was the servant for the Knight and the Squire. His appearance suggests he may be a forester.
The Wife of Bath – The Wife of Bath is a married woman who comes from the town of Bath, which is located on the Avon River in England. She has been married five times. She has also had a number of affairs. She takes great pleasure in men, and she believes that husbands should obey their wives. She is deaf in one ear because one of her husbands struck her in the ear. She is well-traveled.
The Pardoner – The Pardoner went around...
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