Chaucer’s Pilgrims

Your Task: Create a PowerPoint Slide with the Following Items—1. Name of Pilgrim2. Picture of Pilgrim3. Description of Pilgrim (based on text and with line references)4. Analysis of Pilgrim (Social Status; Chaucer’s Opinion)5. Any extra information you feel is important!!!

You will be presenting these to the class. When finished, save it to your directory and send a copy to my email (landerson@wcpss.net), so I can add it to the PowerPoint.

The Canterbury Tales

Pilgrims

The Knight

Description:Physical:-possessed fine horses-wore a fustian tunic stained with

smudges from his armor (lines 75-78)Personality: -“He was a true, a perfect gentle-

knight” (line 74)-“was a “distinguished knight”(66) who

“had done nobly in his sovereign’s war” (47)

Analysis:Social Status: Vassal (middle upper)Chaucer’s Opinion: Chaucer seems to

have great respect for the knight, essentially saying that he was the living example of chivalry. He appreciates that he was a wise and modest man through all of his battles.

Sammi Levy

The SquireDescription•“Locks as curly as if they had been pressed” (83)

•20 years old, moderate body frame, wonderful agility and strength (84-86)

•Sings and whistles all day (93)

•He could make songs and poems. Knows how to ride a horse, dance, draw and write (96-98)

•“lowly and serviceable” (101)

AnalysisSocial Class: Middle

Inference of Chaucer’s Opinion:

He mentions in the beginning of the description that he is the son of the Knight. He also notes that he was humbled to serve his father but emphasizes more on his physical and literary talents. Stanley Okoye

Yeoman• Name: Yeoman• Description: Wore

medal of St. Christopher (line 117) and a green coat and hood. Used peacock-feathered arrows and a mighty bow (lines 105-107).

• Analysis: New breed of warriors, using bow ‘n arrows and long daggers. Part of lower class.

• Knew woodcraft and was a proper forester (lines 112 and 121). Addie Jones

Description:• A Nun• Known as Madam Eglantyne• Had a way of smiling that was very

simple and coy• Spoke in French and went to

stratford-atte-bowe • Pleasant, and friendly,

compassionate dignified with a kind of grace

• Had great manners, cleanAnalysis :• Social Class: She acted upper

class (clergy).• Chaucer’s Opinion: He thought

she seemed fake because she acted high class.

Sam Dowling

Monk

DescriptionHunting was his sport(170)He was a fat and

personable priest(204)His coat fastened up to his

chin(199)His head was bald and

shone like looking-glass(202)

Analysis people believed that the

monk was lazy and didn’t do any hard labor

Jasmine Horton

Hubert the Friar

Description: Sweet tongued and merry

(260) Was a pale man, and

seemed small, but he could beat almost anyone in a physical fight (242-243)

Was a man of the church; however, he avoided beggars (246)

Had affairs with girls, then married them off to cover it up (216-217)

Chaucer’s Bias: The friar is shown as the trickster, coming across as a friar but always having an alternative motive, be it money or girls. Basically described as the medieval con artist.

Social Class:

•Clergyman/ Upper Middle Class

Aaron Chapman

The Merchant• Name : Merchant• Description : He has a forking

beard and dresses in multi-colors. He wears a Flemish beaver hat and daintily buckled boots.(280-283)

• Analysis : The merchant acted proper and fair. He was good at giving loans, bargains and negotiations. (291-292) Most likely he was in the middle class.

• Interesting facts : – The merchant was well liked

by the people but no one could remember his name. (294)

– He carried himself so well that no one knew that he was in debt.(290)

Heather Parry

Seth Cunningham

Oxford Cleric• Description:Thin man -298Rides a skinny horse -297Worn out clothes -300Hollow look -299• Analysis:Lower class (Poor)—But

Educated, so Middle ClassChaucer’s opinion-he is formal,

respectful, logical, and lofty. A quiet man who has a burning desire to learn. When he does speak he is straight to the point.

SERGEANT OF THE LAW• He was very successful

and was known all around for his greatness and he memorized all of the court cases and verdicts of King William’s time. And worked at St Paul (which is a Cathedral)

• A successful lawyer commissioned by the king. He upholds justice in matters large and small.

By: Justin Pittman

The Franklin• Description- White as a daisy

petal was his beard and high colored and benign.

• Analysis- His household was free to everyone. He was never out of any food. He loved a morning sop of cake in wine. Franklin was a member for the shire. And a well to do landowner who is not of the nobility.

Ahsonna Clanton

The GuildsmenDescription:• “trim and fresh” (375)• Were all of one guild (374)• Carried silver knives that

guaranteed a like display on belts and in “pouches” (376-7)

• Wealthy and respected enough to be town council members (382)

• Wives liked “being seen” (387)

Analysis:Social Class: Upper Middle ClassChaucer’s Opinion: He seems to see

these men as representative of a class that is growing in status—the middle class. They have wealth, respect and political power in their towns. However, he does point out the issue that they may be a little ostentatious, perhaps due to the expectations of their wives.

Weaver Haberdasher

Dyer Carpet-Maker

Carpenter

Ms. Anderson

The CookDescription:• employee of the Guildsmen

(389)• “stood alone” in his field—best

cook around in a variety of methods (389-94)

• had an ulcer on his knee (396)

Analysis:Social Class: LowerInference of Chaucer’s Opinion:

He seems to like and respect the Cook’s dishes, though he has little to say about him. The fact that he points out his ulcer perhaps demonstrates a pity for the man’s health situation.

Ms. Anderson

The Skipper• He came from Dartmouth• He rode a farmer’s horse the best he

could• With a dagger under his arm• The summer heat tanned his color

brown• He was certainly an excellent fellow• He knew all the havens• The barge he owned was called the

Maudelayne

Analysis: • He was an excellent fellow, but the nicer

rules of conscience he ignored. When he fought, the enemy vessel sank, and he sent his prisoners home; they walked the plank.

He was hardy and prudent.

Chris Barnes

The DoctorDescription:

- He was a perfect practicing physician.

-Knows astronomy-knew nothing of the bible

-loved gold

Analysis:Social class: middle class

Inference of Chaucer’s opinion:He views the doctor as the perfect physician. Chaucer also points out that the doctor knew nothing of the

bible and loved gold which demonstrates that the doctor may

only care about gold.Teressa Whitley

Wife of BathDescription• Somewhat deaf (466)• Dresses heavenly, with a large

hat upon her head(463-464)• Her face was bold and

handsome (468)• She had five husbands (470)• She had gapped teeth (478)• Large hips and her heels spurred

under that. (483)• She was very knowledgeable of

love, art and old dances(485-486)

• She rode a horse and traveled to many places: Jerusalem, rivers, Rome, Boulogne and many other places.

Analysis• In Chaucer’s opinion he seems

to think she is knowledgeable• He thinks greatly of her and

describes her in a good and positive way.Janay Washington

• He was poor • He preached Christ’s Gospel • Followed what he believed in.• Never asked for money• Always helping people • Never judged people• Always had a missionChaucer’s opinion- He was a good person who always madegood choices and never begged.He was always decent and kind-hearted.

Amber Rhodes

The Plowman

• Wore a tabard smock ( short jacket) and rode a mare (555).

• a hard-working, peasant farmer.• Person with a good heart ( 545)

• Social status: lower class

• Chaucer’s Opinion: He’s an honest, good and true worker who has a good heart. He paid his tithes on what he owned and earning to the church.

Tien Nguyen

The MillerDescription:•Chap of sixteen stone, A great stout fellow big in brawn and bone.•Broad, Knotty, and short-shouldered, •His beard, like any sow or fox, was red and broad as well, as though it were a spade; •And at its very tip, his nose displayed a wart on which there stood a tuft of hair red as the bristles in an old sow’s ear.•His nostrils were as black as they were wide. •He had a sword and buckler at his side,•His mighty mouth was like a furnace door. •He wore a hood of blue and a white coat. (Page 135-136, Lines 561- 584)

Analysis:Social Class: Middle Class (laborer) Chaucer’s Opinion: Thought he was a thief. Often fought in bars and also got into wresting bouts.

Tucker Wolf

Manciple

Analysis- The man is wise with his money, possibly stingy. He is also well versed in law.

Description- He was never rash whether he bought on credit or paid cash. Or be frugal as he might desire, and make him fit to help in any legal case there was to try.

Will Elam

The ReeveDescription:

• Old, bad-tempered, and thin (605)

• Dresses like a priest (609)

• Once a carpenter of first rate skill (632)

• Wears a long overcoat with a rusty blade on his side

Analysis

Social Class: Middle

The author explains that he was a mean person. He watches his master’s properties on the farm and was feared by people who were beneath his rank.

Anh Nguyen

SummonerDescription:• Physical

– Acne on his face; black scabby brows and thin beard (645; 651)

– Scared little children (646)– Had a large garland on his head (684-5)– Loves garlic, leeks and onions (652)

• Personality:– Knew of people’s sins and used the

knowledge to get money from them ((671-5; 683)

– Liked to drink—got drunk and spoke in Latin (655-6)

– Pretentious—thought he was smarter than everyone else

Analysis:• Social Class: Middle/Clergy• Chaucer’s Opinion: He probably didn’t respect

the fact that the Summoner blackmailed people by threatening them with excommunication (681). He also points out his love of drinking, which shows the sin of gluttony.

Ms. Anderson

Pardoner•Rides with the Summoner.(689) •Has yellow hair like wax.(695) •Wears a little cap but no hood.(700-703) •Has bulging eyes like a hare.(704) •Sweet voice like a goat.(708) •Has no beard or facial hair only the smoothest chin.(709-710) •Liar. (725-726) •And a great singer. (731-735)

He is of the middle-ish class/clergy man.

Chaucer thought him an important character for his personality and vocal abilities but no good because he was a liar and a bag of hot air. Louis Muccio

Host (Harry Bailey)Description:• Bright eyes, wide girth (773)• Wise and full of tact (775)• Manly (776)• Merry-hearted (779)• Owner of the Tabard Inn—served fine

food and wine• Comes up with storytelling idea—acts

as judge

Analysis:• Social Class: Upper Middle• Chaucer’s Opinion: He seems to

respect the Host, even maybe admire him for his decision to travel with the pilgrims and to come up with an idea that will not only entertain them all but will also force all to be involved. Ms. Anderson