Characterization of the Prologue of the Canterbury Tales
Kathleen Han
Mrs. Jobst
English III
14th October, 2014
Characterization
The Knight: He is a brave, experienced and wise warrior who represents the ideal of a Christian chivalry. “Truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy.” （Line 46) “ He had done nobly in his sovereign’s war And ridden into battle.” (Line 47-48) “He was of sovereign value in all eyes.” (Line 69) “ He was a true, a perfect gentle knight.” (Line 74) “He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark with smudges where his armor had left mark.” (Line 77-78)
The Squire: He is the opposite of his father, the knight. He is a talented young man, a candidate for knighthood and an enthusiastic lover. “A fine young Squire, a lover and cadet, a lad of fire.” (Line 81-82) “He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale; he slept as little as a nightingale.” (Line 99-100) “And had done valiantly in little speed of time, in hope to win his lady’s grace.” (Line 89-90) “Sing he was, or fluting all day;he was as fresh as is the month of May.” (Line 93-94) “He could make songs and poems and recite, knew how to joust and dance” (Line 97-98) Yeoman: He is the only servant of the Knight. He is a good and proper forester who carried bow and arrows. “ This Yeoman wore a coat and hood of green.” (Line 105) “His arrows never drooped their feathers low— And his hand he bore a mighty bow.” (Line 109-110) “ He knew the whole of woodcraft up and down.” (Line 112) “A medal of St. Christopher he wore.” (Line 117) “He was a proper forester, I guess.” (Line 121) Nun: She is an elegant, pretentious and sentimental prioress. She is more interested in her social status than her religious duties. “Her greatest oath was only “By St. Loy!” （Line 124) “At meat her manners were well taught withal” (Line 131) “And she would wipe her upper lip so clean that not a trace of grease was to be seen
Mrs. Jobst
English III
14th October, 2014
Characterization
The Knight: He is a brave, experienced and wise warrior who represents the ideal of a Christian chivalry. “Truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy.” （Line 46) “ He had done nobly in his sovereign’s war And ridden into battle.” (Line 47-48) “He was of sovereign value in all eyes.” (Line 69) “ He was a true, a perfect gentle knight.” (Line 74) “He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark with smudges where his armor had left mark.” (Line 77-78)
The Squire: He is the opposite of his father, the knight. He is a talented young man, a candidate for knighthood and an enthusiastic lover. “A fine young Squire, a lover and cadet, a lad of fire.” (Line 81-82) “He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale; he slept as little as a nightingale.” (Line 99-100) “And had done valiantly in little speed of time, in hope to win his lady’s grace.” (Line 89-90) “Sing he was, or fluting all day;he was as fresh as is the month of May.” (Line 93-94) “He could make songs and poems and recite, knew how to joust and dance” (Line 97-98) Yeoman: He is the only servant of the Knight. He is a good and proper forester who carried bow and arrows. “ This Yeoman wore a coat and hood of green.” (Line 105) “His arrows never drooped their feathers low— And his hand he bore a mighty bow.” (Line 109-110) “ He knew the whole of woodcraft up and down.” (Line 112) “A medal of St. Christopher he wore.” (Line 117) “He was a proper forester, I guess.” (Line 121) Nun: She is an elegant, pretentious and sentimental prioress. She is more interested in her social status than her religious duties. “Her greatest oath was only “By St. Loy!” （Line 124) “At meat her manners were well taught withal” (Line 131) “And she would wipe her upper lip so clean that not a trace of grease was to be seen