Responding answers... Canterbury Tales

Analyzing Literature
1. At what time of year does this pilgrimage take place? Spring time (April to be exact). Why is this a good time of year for such a trip? Because of the spiritual/religious nature of pilgrimage, spring time is new beginnings and they are taking their journey to be absolved of sins and to be forgiven.  Also can be a reference to Easter time.

2. Which pilgrim is described first? The knight What might this suggest about the narrator's attitude toward the character? What words or phrases support your answer? The narrator thinks highly of the night... he mentioned that he would discuss the pilgrims in terms of their jobs and look.  In Chaucer's society, nobility and honor came first.  He is idealized.  "To ride abroad had followed chivalry, Truth, honour, generousness and courtesy.  he had done nobly in his sovereing's war and ridden into battle, no man more, As well in Christian and in heathen places, and ever honoured for his noble graces."  It goes on to talk of his many conquests and show examples of the above qualities.  There are other quotes you could use to support this idea... it is up to you choose from the section

3.  What sort of life did the Prioress and the Monk lead? They led very secular lives.  The Prioress was "coy" and speaks of love coming to all.  She was greedy and indulgent and interested in appearances.  The Monk was a hunter and had his own horses.  Didn't enjoy studies.What does this suggest about their values and position in life? It suggests that their values are askew.  Chaucer is very critical of the clergy and how they aren't as pious and godly as they are "supposed" to be.  This is his commentary on those folks.  We don't want our religous figures to be concerned about looks or material things and their values seem to be out of character of their positions and lots in life.

4.  What details do you learn about the Parson? He is devout and learned.  He plays role as society would expect him to.  " There was, and poor, the Parson to a town, yet he was rich in holy thought and work.  He also was a learned man, a clerk, Who truly knew Christ's gospel and wold preach it Devoutly to parishioners, and teach it."  In what ways is he different from the Monk, and what does this suggest about the narrator's attitude toward the clergy? He is different from the monk in that he takes his calling seriously and despite his poverty, still makes sure to do his calling to god.   It shows that Chaucer revered but pitied a man of the cloth who had to live in such poverty.  "And shame it is to see - let priests take stock - a shitten shepherd and a snowy flock.   The true example that a priest should give is one of cleanness, how the sheep should live."  He is poor because he is good... almost like Chaucer is suggesting that you must be corrupt to get ahead.

5.   What sort of man is the Host, and what reason does he give for suggesting the stories?  He is the owner of the Tabard Inn where all the pilgrims meet; he is the self appointed leader adn  tour guide for the pilgrims. He fed everyone well and got them drunk.  He was a "merry-hearted man." He is interested in a good time. What sorts of stories does he ask the pilgrims to tell? "You're off to Canterbury - well, God speed! Blessed St Thomas anser to your need! And I don't doubt, before the journey's done You mean to while the time in tales an fun. Indeed there's little pleasure for your bones fridingalong and all as dumb as stones.  So let me then propose for your enjoyment..." The tales should be moral and entertaining.  What does this suggest about people's knowledge? People should be aware of what good moral behavior is and should be able to speak of it which also means that people are living by choice in a corrupt and amoral way.  He will be the judge of the tales (and he after all is the owner of a bar). 

6.  Which character or characters are most lifelike, do you think, and which are most idealized? Support your answers with details and examples from "The Prologue." The most likelike characters are the ones that show faults, but don't only show corruption.  Perhaps the squire, who is a lady's man despite having to follow in his father's footsteps which he is clearly not ready to do.  "a find young Squire, a lover and cadet, a lad of fire with locks as curly as if they had been pressed... with wonderful agility and strength.  He'd seen some service with cavalry In Flanders and Artois and Picardy..." The prioress, merchant, friar, wife of baths...
The people who are idealized are probably the knight - in all of his chivalry, the parson in his poverty, and the shipman who may not be much on land but is very successful at sea. There are other quotes you could use to support this idea... it is up to you choose from the section... same with the pilgrims to choose based on Chaucer's description of the characters... you decide.

Literature and Writing
Who says?
Although the narrator of "The Prologue" uses the word "I," do you think the narrator is Chaucer, or do you think it is another character that Chaucer created? Support your answer with reasons from the text. This is for you to decide...