The Canterbury Tales Pilgrim Chart

The Parson

Social Status: Clergy

Dress: modest/poor

Physical Characteristics: see personality

Personality Traits: Holy, virtuous, hard working church man who disliked extorting tithe (taxes paid to church), gave from the church offerings to the poor, he practices what he preaches

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? To help others find salvation.

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? The Parson lives in poverty but is rich in holy thoughts and deeds.

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? None, unlike the monk, friar, and pardoner, he is the only the devout churchman.

The Plowman

Social Status: peasant, the parson’s good-hearted brother

Dress: Wore a loose jacket smock, rode a mare

Physical Characteristics: see above and below

Personality Traits: Honest worker, good and true, loves God and neighbors, helpful to the poor, pays tithes to the church

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? To accompany his brother, the parson, to praise God

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? Yes, he is a giver.

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? None, lives a good Christian life.

The Manciple Social Status: Trade Class – provider of provisions for a college or court or monastery

Dress: clothing suitable for a trade class that buys supplies for elite groups

Physical Characteristics: see below

Personality Traits: Uneducated but clever, smarter than the lawyers he feeds

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? He serves food to monasteries so perhaps he wants to serve himself with salvation

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? Yes, he is smarter than the elite group he buys food and supplies for

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? none

The Miller Social Status: trade class worker who uses equipment to make flour

Dress: Sword and buckler (shield) at his side, wore a blue hood and white coat

Physical Characteristics: Stout - weighed 224 pounds, big, brawny

red beard, wart on his nose

Personality Traits: Wrestler, steals grain, a loud, bad storytelling clown, plays bagpipes

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? To go against conventional thinking

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? No, he is a brute

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? He is a big mouthed and blasphemous.

The Merchant

Social Status: part of a wealthy trade class of fur traders and cloth

Dress: motley (multi color) dress , wore Flemish beaver hat, daintily buckled boots

Physical Characteristics: forking beard, stately, noble in appearance “high

on his horse he sat”

Personality Traits: Expert at currency exchange but personally in debt

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? Perhaps he hopes to sell some of his furs and cloths

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? He doesn’t even know his name.

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? He is supposedly part of the wealthy class but he is actually in debt.

The Doctor

Social Status: Middle Class

Dress: Blood-red garments slashed with bluish-gray, lone with taffeta (silk)

Physical Characteristics: see personality traits

Personality Traits: Well spoken, excellent knowledge of middle ages medical tricks

And remedies based more on medieval practices like blood-letting Well connected to local apothecaries who profited like the doctor

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? Maybe to make money in case someone gets sick

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? “He did not read the Bible very much.” Although physically healthy, the doctor is unhealthy in spirit.

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? He seemed to be more interested in profiting from people’s illnesses than helping people get better.

The Reeve

Social Status: Middle class steward responsible for running the everyday affairs of a feudal manor

Dress: long overcoat of bluish gray, rusty blade

Physical Characteristics: Old, thin, close shaven, legs like sticks, probably frail

Personality Traits: Feared like the plague by serfs and herdsmen - those beneath him, Knowledgeable in his job

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? Perhaps he seeks forgiveness for stealing from his master and creating fear in those who worked for him.

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? Probably not since he was cruel and a thief – he rode in the back of the cavalcade

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? He grew rich by knowing his job well and stealing from his master

The Friar

Social Status: clergy (weathly)

Dress: had a long hanging hood, white, thick neck, rich cape like a Pope

Physical Characteristics: He sang well and played the hurdy-gurdy stringed instrument and the harp

Personality Traits: “Glib with gallant phrase and well turned speech” (He is very

Persuasive at talking women and wealthly landowners into giving him money in exchange for listening to confessions “an easy man in penance giving”

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? He is a priest but his intentions are dishonest – to make money off selling blessings

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? No, Chaucer is criticizing the Friar and religious figures like him who are unscrupulous and take advantage of their religious position

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? Instead of remaining tied to one monastery, this friar goes from one wealthy landowner to another accepting bribes in exchange for absolution.

The Oxford Cleric

Social Status: Middle Class Student of Philosophy

Dress: “Thread on his overcoat was bare” his close are rags

Physical Characteristics: Slender, hollow look, a sober stare (serious)

Personality Traits: Studious, read a lot, spent all his money on books, not social

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? He seeks morality and virtue…“The thought of moral virtue filled his speech”

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? Maybe Chaucer is just trying to say that studious types retreated from society

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? Whatever money he gets from friends, he spends on books, and he doesn’t have a job, but he might become a teacher.

The Monk

Social Status: clergy (wealthy)

Dress: wealthy, fine fur-trimmed robe, gold brooch

Physical Characteristics: bald, fat

Personality Traits: Hunter has greyhounds, and hunting shoes with spurs, personable

he eats well he likes to eat

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? He is a priest but his mission is probably more self indulgent than spiritual

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? His wealthy clothes do not match his humble vocation.

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? Instead of devoting his life to work and prayer like most monks of the Middle Ages, he spends his time hunting and eating.

The squire

The Yeoman

The Squire

Class: Ruling class: the son of the knight

Description: “embroidered like a meadow bright, etc. (dressed in red and white)

His gown was short, sleeves long and wide

Curly hair, about 20 years old, average height, strong

Physically fit, sings and plays the flute, likes poetry, jousting, horse riding, dancing,

Positive Traits: he fought on behalf of a lady and did well quickly, lover, respectful to his father, hard working and willing to take risks

Reason for travel: Maybe out of respect for this father

Sins: none

The Pardoner

Social Status: clergy - pardons people’s sins for a donation to the church

Dress: Carries a bag full of fake religious relics, no hood but a little cap on head

Bulging eyeballs, has cross on his wallet, pilgrim medal on hat

Physical Characteristics: long, greasy yellow hair, beardless

Personality Traits: Greedy fraud, shifty, keeps money from blessings to himself,

Sneaky, untrustworthy, dishonest, he read and sang sermons well

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? To make money in exchange for forgiving pilgrims for their sins

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? No, he is a charlatan (fake)

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? He rides with the summoner who also takes advantage of his position; the cross on his wallet symbolizes how he uses the church to line his pockets

The Yeoman

Class: peasant class, servant who accompanies the knight and squire

Description coat and hood of green with peacock-feather arrows at his belt, held a bow

sword, and dagger – also a hunting horn

Wore saucy bracelet as shield guard from the bow and sword along with

St. Christopher’s medal

Head like a nut and brown faced, strong

Knew the whole of woodcraft up and down

Reason for travel: He is accompanying the knight and squire

Positive Qualitites: Yes, “He was a proper forester, I guess.”

Sins: None suggested

The Summoner Social Status: clergy - An official who brings persons accused of violating Church law to court

Dress: He wore a garland on his head - see drawing on page 113

Physical Characteristics: Has leprosy - disgusting red baby face with pus-filled pimples, narrow eyes, black scabby brows and thin beard

Personality Traits: He is a drunk, lecherous, ill-tempered, smelled of garlic and onions

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? Maybe to drink and chase women

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? No, he is not good at his job and takes advantage of his position pretending to know Latin but really only knows a few words

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? He drinks too much and is a lecher (womanizer)

The Prioress

Social Status: clergy (wealthy)– she is a nun

Dress: veil, graceful cloak, jewely (prayer bracelet) that indicates wealth

and worldiness

Physical Characteristics: not undergrown, elegant nose, gray eyes, small, red mouth, wide forehead,

Personality Traits: Simple and coy (shy), neat, clean, clingy, helpless

Charitable, sympathetic, sentimental, tender-hearted (too much so)

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? She is a nun so a spiritual trip seems likely

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? “He suggests that her daintiness is too extreme (“her upper lip so clean” being reduced to tears when seeing a mouse in a trap…)

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? She is too delicate

The Knight

The Franklin

Social Status: middle class - man of leisure

Dress: had a dagger and white purse

Physical Characteristics: White beard,

Personality Traits: Confident, cheerful, lived for pleasure

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? To enjoy himself

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? He liked good food, good wine. He kept a buffet of food ready to eat all day.

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? He was lucky and didn’t serve a nobleman, so he was a free man.

The Knight

Class: Ruling class: highest among the pilgrims

Description: “he possessed fine horses but was not gaily dressed”

wore a dark, Fustian tunic (coarse cloth) that had armor stains

He is strong because he has endured many battles

He is middle aged because he has a 20 year old son, the squire

Personality Traits: wise, modest, distinguished, chivalrous, truthful, honorable, generous, courteous, brave loves action and adventure, believes in the ideals of chivalry, he must be an excellent fighter to have survived so many battles all over Europe

Reason to travel: To give thanks to God “to do his pilgrimage and render thanks”

Good Qualities: Yes, “ever honored for his noble graces”

Sins: None- he is the ideal of chivalry, honor, and bravery – “the sovereign value in all eyes” “a true, perfect, gentle knight”

The Tradesmen

(Carpetmaker, Haberdaser

Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver)

Social Status: Trade class – group who appear as a unit

Dress: Stylishly dressed Their gear was trim and fresh, knives wrought with purest silver

Physical Characteristics: Proud men who represented their guild (their group of

craftsmen – they are the new emerging middle class

Personality Traits: Seemed like worthy members of a legislative body

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? To represent their group of upcoming craftsmen

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? They are the new middle class

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? Their wives are eager for their husbands to run for office so they can move up the social ladder.

The Man of Law

Social Status: Middle class lawyer appointed by the King

Dress: Homely parti-colored coat, pin striped belt

Physical Characteristics: Not stated – see personality traits

Personality Traits: Wise, cautious, accurate, knowledgeable in all laws

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? To uphold justice

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? Yes, everybody respected him “ a man of reverence”

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? None suggested

The Canterbury Tales Pilgrim Chart

Mac Hild 3rd

The Skipper/Shipman

Social Status: peasant class - a veteran sailor

Dress: Woolen gown that reach his knee, dagger hanging from his neck

Physical Characteristics: Tan, bearded

Personality Traits: A rascal who he steals wine, he is hardy, he is a skilled navigator but ruthless but ruthless with enemies, able to withstand hardship, careful planner

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? He is well traveled, so he perhaps he wants to continue his travels…

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? See below

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? He steals wine

The Cook

Social Status: trade class cook

Dress: unknown

Physical Characteristics: sore on leg

Personality Traits: servant to craftsmen, good cook, good sense of taste

What is his/her reason in going on this pilgrimage? To cook for the group of upcoming craftsmen

Does Chaucer approve of this character, or does he indicate that he had failed his faith? He feels sorry for him

What faults might this character have according to Chaucer? Has a sore on his leg