CHARACTER LIST
The main characters of The Canterbury Tales are
comprised of the procession of the twenty-nine pilgrims who traveled from
London to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury and passed their long
journey by narrating entertaining tales. The pilgrims and their tales represent
a microcosm of medieval English society. These characters include the
following:
Chaucer
The author of The Canterbury Tales and appears throughout the book
as one of the twenty-nine pilgrims. He functions as the reader’s guide and his
ironic comments reveal the true nature of the assorted group. He tells the
tales of Sir Topas and the tale of Melibee during the course of the journey. He
finally identifies himself at the end.
The Knight
Chaucer describes the Knight as a "verray parfit gentil
knight" (i.e. true, perfect, well bred) who had distinguished himself in
many Crusades. All the wars fought by the Knight have been religious wars. In
spite of being a brave warrior with various victories to his credit, the Knight never boasted of his success.
The Squire
The Knight’s son, probably twenty years old. He is described as a "lover and a lusty bachelor"
and is a worthy aspirant to
Knighthood. Apart from being a warrior he also sings, composes melodies and
writes poetry.
The Yeoman
The only servant accompanying the Knight on the pilgrimage. He is
thoroughly knowledgeable about forestry and woodcraft and is a true forester. (a person in charge of a forest or skilled
in planting, managing, or caring for trees/living in the forest).
The Prioress
A pious and saintly woman. However she is sentimental and strives to imitate courtly manners. She
is a very sensitive woman who is gentle even with the three small dogs
accompanying her in her journey. The attention that she gives to her appearance
is an indication of her secret longing
for a more sophisticated life.
The Monk
An "outrider" i.e. a Monk who rides around the abbey to
tend its property. It is implied that the Monk is immoral and loves the pleasures of life. He loves hunting and
women. His love for the various pleasures
of life goes against his religious vows.
The Friar
A wanton and merry man. These are hardly the characteristics that
befit a religious man. He is a "limiter" i.e. a Friar who is licensed to beg within a certain
limited area. While hearing confessions he gave
the best pardon to those who contributed the maximum amount of money. The
author makes this statement in irony when he says that he is probably the only
person who practices his profession most accurately.
The Merchant
He sports a forked beard and wears fine clothes. He is extremely pompous in his manners and
opinions. He is so clever that
nobody could gauge that he was actually
in heavy debt.
The Oxford Clerk
A skinny man who is a student
at Oxford. He is not at all
conscious of his appearance. He is a scholar who is genuinely interested in learning and studies. After the Knight, he
is the most admired person.
The Sergeant at Law
An accomplished and devious
lawyer who has probably used his position to acquire a great deal of wealth.
The Franklin
Said to be Epicure’s own son that implies that he lives a hedonistic life in pursuit of
pleasure.
The Cook
Accompanying the guildsmen, the Cook is mainly described in terms of his culinary
abilities. However Chaucer does point out that he has an ulcerous sore on his shin.
The Sea captain
A jolly fellow and an able
seaman. He could read the stars and was also a good fighter. However
Chaucer suggests that he is not
completely moral and has no qualms about stealing wine from the Merchant
whose casks he is transporting.
The Physician
An excellent doctor who can quickly diagnose the cause of any
disease. However Chaucer suggests that this good doctor is motivated by greed more than anything else and has a special fondness
for gold.
The Wife of Bath
Described as being somewhat deaf,
fat and amorous. She is an excellent weaver and having been married five
times knows all the cures for love.
The Parson
A genuinely good
clergyman. His self-denial and charity are indeed praiseworthy. He sets a moral standard to his flock of
parishioners.
The Plowman
The Parson’s brother
and a good Christian ever willing to help his neighbors in trouble. He is an honest and hardworking laborer.
The Miller
A hefty and strong fellow, a loudmouth
and a teller of scurrilous stories.
The Manciple
The steward of a law school in London who is responsible for
buying food. He is a shrewd man who tricks the lawyers by keeping aside
some money for himself whenever he is asked to go and purchase food.
The Reeve
A slender and quick-tempered man. He is such a successful manager of his lord’s estate
that he has more spending power than his
lord does. He knows all the secrets
of the employees and blackmails them. He is thus feared by all in the estate.
The Summoner
He has a fiery-red cherubic face, which is an indicator of his lecherous and deceitful character. His
gruesome physical appearance fits most appropriately with his profession. The
author ironically describes him as a good fellow. He is good as the sinners can easily bribe him.
The Pardoner
A seller of pardons. He dupes
innocent poor people by selling them fake relics. Chaucer ironically
commends him as an excellent churchman. Described as womanly both in appearance
and nature.
The Host
Introduced at the end of the "General Prologue", he
proposes the story telling contest in order to make the journey a more enjoyable
one.
The Canon's Yeoman
Arrives at the end of the journey along with his master. He is
wearing a black cloak and comes panting and gasping for breath after the main
group of pilgrims. He proceeds to tell a tale revealing the hypocrisy and
deceitfulness of alchemists.
The Nun's Priest
Mentioned in the Prologue as accompanying the Prioress. He tells
the mock-heroic beast fable of Chaunticleer and Pertolete.
The Second Nun
Only fleetingly mentioned in the Prologue as one of the companions
of the Prioress. She tells the tale of St. Cecilia.
The Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, And Tapestry Maker
All guildsmen and experts in their professions. They are wearing
impressive clothes and carrying handsome silver mounted equipment.
