Canterbury Tales

The Knight: Seen as a very respected and well battled knight. He follows the code of chivalry so is very honest and respected and does his duty well and often.

1) Truth, Honour, generousness and courtesy. pg 4

2) With smudges where his armour had left mark pg 5

Chaucer likes this knight a lot. He is not only spoken of first but he is described as a honest, nice, and hard working man. Chaucer seems to like people who work hard and get a job done over people who are just smart. The knight brings both worlds to the table being very wise and honest while showing up on a pilgrimage in battle-warn armour.

Squire: Very happy young man who dresses nicely because he wants to be fancy with the ladies. He is well talented in jousting, dancing, drawing, and horses and is supposed to be following in his fathers foot steps.

1) Of time, in hope to win his lady's grace. pg 5

2) Knew how to joust and dance, to draw and write. pg 5

Chaucer knows that he is not all about being a great knight but still respects him because he is talented with horses, dancing, and jousting. I think Chaucer understand and respects people who like to have fun if they are also skilled or work hard.

Yeoman: Is an employee of the Knight and is made out to be very well dressed and holds a feeling of power to him. Knows the wood extremely well and is appears to be a master of the bow and sword.

1) A juanty dirk, spear-sharp and well-equipped pg 6

2) His arrows never drooped their feathers low pg 6

Chaucer doesn't know exactly how to make the Yeoman out. While the Yeoman appears to be very well equipped and brings a sense of power and knowledge with him I think Chaucer has a sense of doubt. One of the reason he likes the knight is because he shows he has worked hard in battle with his smeared armour. However the Yeoman is mark-less and his arrows are perfect and not drooping. Why is he unscathed but not the Knight?

Prioress: A woman who would like to be involved in the court but is stuck being a nun, who can blame her. She is a very mannered woman but cries over little things like mice dying.

1)For courtliness she had a special zest pg6

2) Or someone took a stick and made it smart pg 7

Chaucer respects this woman for her manners but she annoys him for crying over little animals which we can see when he reefers to beating a dog as making it smart. He also likes her because she is slightly attractive, and well Chaucer is a man.

Monk:Rather than being a really boring monk who sits and prays this monk enjoys to hunt and ride horses. He isn't seen as a very religious monk and ignores most of his books.

1) Was he to study as his head went round pg 8

2) He rode the country, hunting was his sport pg 8

Chaucer likes this guy because he is very nice and enjoys the outdoors. Rather than staying in and reading books all day he gets out and enjoys life. I think Chaucer like him because of this and I think Chaucer likes a little bit of rebellion in his friends.

Friar: This guy sucks. He he lies about everything takes money from everybody and is fat and lazy. He sleeps with little girls impregnates woman and then sells them off. Is here to show a little bit of what Chaucer thinks of the church. It sucks.

1) and pocket-knives, to give to pretty girls pg 9

2) His neck was whiter than a lilly flower pg 9

Chaucer hates this guy because he treats people horribly and shows the corruption of the church and power. Chaucer doesn't like lazy people and his neck being lilly white shows he does nothing or himself but just uses other people for his gains.

Merchant: Dresses nicely and thinks highly of himself. He is in some type of shady operation because we are not told his name and he wants sea police. He is in debt but nobody knows this.

1)He was an expert in dabbling in exchanges pg 10

2) To tell the truth I do not know his name pg 10

Chaucer likes the Merchant although I think he thinks he is a little to fond of himself. He describes him as sitting high on his horse and wearing fancy clothes even though he is in debt. Besides these flaws Chaucer likes him because he is an expert in trade and is crafty. Chaucer likes people who are able to make money through being crafty and even shady. However there is a difference between being crafty/shady and stealing from people. The Friar steels from people because he is using his position with the church and no actual skill besides intimidation.

Clerk: The clerk is dresses in rags but has great knowledge. He has a horse that is skin and bones but is very well educated and has his own personal library. He doesn't have a job and is given or takes his money from his friends. He is very to the point and doesn't speak for than necessary.

1)Whatever money from his friends he took pg 11

2) Was there; his horse was thinner than a rake pg 11

Chaucer doesn't really like this guy because he isn't a worker or an outdoorsy person. He doesn't like that his horse is poorly taken care of and he thinks that just because you are smart your are excused form working. I think Chaucer is a conversationist and while he is educated it is not to the degree of the Clerk. So they don't have anything in common as the Clerk treats horses poorly and doesn't like to talk. 

Sergeant-at-Law: Very intelegent and wise Judge. He knows his job very well and the history of it and is said to have never made a questionable decision. He dresses nicely and doesn't make himself out to be better than everybody else even though he probably is.

1)Not one conveyance could be called in question. pg11

2)Of his appearance I have said enough. pg 12

Chaucer respects this man because he is wise but does not flaunt it as he describes when he says he is busier than he shows to be. It is interesting that Chaucer doesn't say much about his clothes because he actually respects this mans intelligence and his job rather than just explaining his clothes to describe him. This shows he cares more about his mind that his appearance.

Franklin: A very rich man who doesn't work much but controls a lot of people who live on his land. This man likes to have fancy dinners and host parties with every kind of food possible along with great drink.

1)and no one had a better stock of wine pg 12

2)As sheriff he checked audit, ever entry pg 12

I don't think Chaucer really dislikes or likes the Franklin. He is fascinated by the food and wine the man has a wishes he could go to such parties but I don't think he likes the idea behind how he doesn't really work for his money but then doesn't really criticize because it is more of a business than just taking money from people on his land.

Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapestry Maker: Described by their talent and their possesions. Carried only knives and materials of the finest and lined with silver.

1)Their knives were not tricked out with brass but wrought with purest silver. pg 13

2)Their wisdom would have justified a plan to make each one an alderman. pg 13

Chaucer likes these men but probably thinks they could be a little more manly. He respects them for their craft and the fact that they have a business and make money doing so.

Cook: Described as an amazing cook not really fancy but could make great food. However there is a hint that he is very unclean and disgusting.

1)Make good thick soup and bake a tasty pie pg 13

2)That he should have an ulcer on his knee pg 13

Chaucer likes him as everybody loves a man who can make them food but is a little grossed out by his ulcer and his filth. However he will most likely eat the soup he makes and only think a little of dyeing after.

Shipman: Unforgiving and slightly violent pirate. He is an expert in what he does and navigating the stars although he doesnt really care of other people and doesnt likely think twice about getting into a battle.

1)A dagger on a lanyard falling free pg 12

2)The nicer rules of conscience he ignored pg 13

Chaucer thinks this man is slightly evil but doesn't put that against him because he works hard and has knowledge that is useful. I think Chaucer thinks he is pretty cool because he is so powerful without really being a highly honored person. I'm starting to think you can figure out how much Chaucer will like somebody based off how tan they are.

Doctor of Medicine: Said to have a perfect working physician although I think this is more of a remark on the fact that he makes a lot of money and people get medication rather than any healing actually going on. He does much of his work my the starts, doesn't read the bible very much, and is very greedy.

1)When by his horoscope, he knew the power of favorable planets. pg 14

2)He gave the man his medication then and there. pg 14

Chaucer doesn't love this guy but he doesn't hate him. He thinks his business is a sham but thinks the idea behind it is clever and looks at is as basically a drug dealer ship.

Wife of Bath: Very well traveled woman with a lot of money and dresses nicely. She is heavier set and has many husbands all who have died by

 her either sexing them to death or forcing them to give up on life and just quite living. She will probably have many more husbands as longs as she can keep making herself look good with her money.

1)And knew the remedies for love's mischances. pg15

2)She'd had five husbands, all at the church door. pg15

Chaucer is most likely scared of this woman. He knows that she is very clever and knows how to control and a man will probably be staying away from her. However he does admire her sense of power and control.

Parson: Very poor preacher but is one of the only men who actually follows God and doesnt just use him to make a profit. He follows the true nature of God which is an interesting idea because he is poor. He actually follows God and is poor but the other people are very well off who do. This is probably why Chaucer likes this guy and not the others.

1)Who truly knew the Christ's Gospel and would teach it. pg 16

2)He taught, but followed it for himself before pg 17

Chaucer likes this guy because he is honest and gives back to the poor, even though he is associated with the chapel. The parson is a foil for the rest of the church because he is poor and helps people but actually believes in his teachings. Everybody else just gets the benefits and takes the power.

Plowman: Honest working man who believes in God. He isn't exactly talented but works hard to get the job done and helps others when he can without charging them.

1)He was an honest worker, good and true. pg 17

2)and he would help the poor for love of Christ and never take a penny. pg 17

Chaucer likes this man just like he likes all the other men who work hard and help each other. I think Chaucer is a man who doesn't really care what you believe in as long as you treat people with curtsey and pull your own weight.

Miller:  Great beast of a man that is might be the devil. He has a red beard and his mouth is described as a furnace door. He is extremely strong and can rip doors from hinges and steels peoples grain. He fights a bit as he carries a sword and buckler at his side, probably so people don't get mad at him when he steals stuff.

1)Red as the bristles in an old sow's ear. pg 18

2)Or take a run and break it with his head. pg 18

Chaucer doesn't like this guy very much but doesn't hate him as much as the Christian people who are evil. It seems that Chaucer is intrigued by this mans strength and appearance even though he appears to be breathing fire. His beard is red and his nostrils black making him seem like he's blowing flame.

Manciple: Uneducated but very street smart. This man is able to watch the market and make money from it as well as learn the skills of his masters and then outperform them.

1)An illiterate fellow that can outpace the wisdom of a learned man. pg 18

2)He used to watch the market most precisely. pg 18

Chaucer likes this man as he is very skilled and street smart. This is a neat idea because this man is unable to read and the least educated although he is still well off and able to out-dew his masters who are educated. What is this saying about education?

Reeve: Wealthy overseer of land who knows how to work the system. He has a large stash of money but uses it to loan to his king and get his thanks. He doesn't need to fight and is very skinny and frail because he has enough brain power to keep him out of trouble. He is very talented at watching the crops and live stock and knows how to keep people working.

1)The yeild he might expect form seed and grain. pg 19

2)he had a rusty blade. pg 19

Chaucer likes him okay because he's not really stealing from anybody too horribly but then he does have it very well off and continues to make money. However Chaucer probably likes him a little more than otheres because he is using smarts to get money from people and is crafty rather than just saying...GOD is sweet, give me some money and ill tell him not to smite you

Summoner: Probably the most foul smelling person you will ever read about, as well as the ugliest. He is hideous and looks like a monster and on top of all that he drink a lot and scares little kids and speaks in latin.

1)Garlic he loeved, and onions too, and leeks. pg 20

2)Children were afraid when he appeared. pg 20

Chaucer might be saying something by making the summoner as one of the last. He doesn't like him because he smells horrible and treats people poorly when he is drunk. There is nothing to be desired about this man.

Pardoner: He has the voice of an angle and pretends to have a bunch of sacred relics. He is described as looking a little like a girl and having a perfectly smooth face. Possibly a eunuch. He uses his voice to earn money from people especially during church.

1)Thats why he sang so merrily and loud. pg 22 

2)Hanging down smoothly like a hank of flax. pg 21

Chaucer doesn't like this man because he is only in the church to sing and steel money from people doing so. He doesn't really work for a living so Chaucer thinks he's a pansy especially since he is described as a girl and I take Chaucer to be more of a manly man than a i sing and dance the salsa type of guy.

Host: Well carried man who likes to be in charge. He is clever and sets himself up to be the man of importance by having him be the judge and then when they all get back buy from him dinner again. He is upper class and serves good food and wine.

1)There was no manly attribute he lacked pg 23

2)He served the finest victuals you could think pg 23

Chaucer doesn't mind this guy and enjoys his company but probably thinks he is a little to formal as he just kinda agrees to this big epic idea the host has. I think Chaucer would be just as happy walking there and talking about random things rather than listening to stories but wont argue because there is no point.

Best Pilgrims

Knight, Parson, Sergeant at Law, Nun, Manciple, Plowman

Worst Pilgrims

Friar, Summoner, Wife of Bath, Pardoner Miller, Shipman

Sir Gawain Fit 4

1) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can be viewed as a journey from life to death and back to life. Discuss how this works.

Towards the beginning of the story Sir Gawain is totally dedicated to the lord. When he goes off to look for the Green Giant he takes refuge in his Shield that represents his faith and loyalty to the lord through the pentagram and the picture of the Virgin Mary. At his point in time Gawain is pictured as a nearly perfect man who puts his full faith in the lord being the life before death part. When Gawain finds the castle he goes into a world that tempts his faith and causes him to start loosing spirit. Gawain ends up taking a Girdle that will protect him form teh green giant which shows he has lost faith in the lord for his protection. This symbolizes his spiritual death as he has shunned the lord and replaced him with a worthless piece of cloth. Gawain fights the Giant where he realizes the girdle was a sham and his faith is restored. He realizes that the lord did protect him and was testing him. He then is born again as he will never make the mistake to give up on the lord when the girdle is tied around him. The idea that the castle was his death is interesting here because when the only time Gawain is considered spiritually dead is when he is in the castle or the fairy land. The land that the castle is in is more of a pagan influenced place than a christian place as there is magic in it and Bertilacs wife is a prostitute. Making the pagan relations in the castle be a sign of the destruction of faith. 

2) Sir Gawain is reborn both physically and spiritually at the end of the book how?

You learn a lot more from failing than you do succeeding. At the end Gawain realizes that he has lost faith in God but even though he did God still allowed him not to die. The green Giant was a test and because Gawain failed slightly he will learn from it and never fail again. This is the idea that he has learned from his failure and become a new and better knight. This can be looked at from two views in my perspective. The first one would be that of Gawains, the idea that people dont understand the little things and are hypocritical. While Gawain was being very respectful and passed the test of not doing anything with the Lady, he failed the real test which was his total overall faith in the lord. The other view is that of Bertylac and Aurthor. Their view is that he went and faced the Green Giant and it doesnt matter that he used a Girdle. 

3) Whose Point of View are we suppose to exact at the end of the book? Why?

I believe that the author is trying to make it seem like we are supposed to be looking at the story from a point of view such as Arthur's or the Green Knight's. The view that the whole test was passed by Gawain and he should be happy. I think we are really supposed to be looking at it from Gawain's though. Everybody else seems to be a imperfect and poor religious ideas. They all see Gawain as a great knight because he faced his fear and passed the test so he is worthy of God. However they dont take into the idea that Gawain did not do his deed through the strength of God that is so played upon in the beginning especially with the description of the Pentagram and the Virgin Mary. I believe that if we weren't supposed to look at the story from Gawains point of view there would not be very deep and descriptive things like the shield. 

4) Is Gawain ruined as a knight or will we see great deeds from him again?

Gawain will be a doer of great deeds from now on! He has failed miserably and judging my the giant hissy fit he through he will never never make that same mistake twice. If he truly felt that bad about what he did then the reminder of the green girdle around him keep him from ever forgetting the lord and believing in a little peace of fabric. However, if he has been to the Pagan world that had magic, then will his faith be bestowed in god as much if he knows there are other forms? This is a very interesting idea because the idea of magic was made out to be fake because the green girdle was a sham. However just because the magic in that was fake doesnt mean there is no magic. Bertilac himself says that morgana changed him into the green giant through magic. So is there actually magic, and does it have as much power as god?

5) In your opinion who is really in control?

I believe that when you equip a very large man with a very large axe, they gain control over pretty much everybody. I also believe that when you equip that man with an evil woman with magical powers, the make a pretty good team in terms of being in charge. I know that you are supposed to look into this deeply but his is really what i feel. If you go and look at all the warriors who are very large and have a huge weapon along with magical ability. You'll realize that they destroy everybody which normally means there in control. The magic that is associated with Bertylac and the Green Giant makes them seem to be almost like god. The crone and Bertylac test Gawain faith almost as if they are God themselves. 

Sir Gawain Fit 3 Continued

2) What is your impression of Gawain during this section? How do you think he behaves? Does he uphold his honor while not dishonoring the lady and the lord? 
Gawain is a very honorable night who has excellent will power and self control. I am impressed as most men would likely be unable to control themselves when dealing with a women so beautifully contrasted to the ugliest of woman. Gawain plays his role perfectly and balances on the edge as he is able to keep from going against his code my being to frisky with the Lady but does just enough to please her with his kiss. I do not believe he loses even loses his honor when he accepts the girdle. His faith does falter a little but it is a flaw that humans posses and needs to be gotten over. My impression of Gawain is very, very, very, poor and I don't really like him because he is a baby and doesn't know when to get down on himself or when to get over it. He is all heart broken when he realizes the green girdle doesn't save him. However i believe if he were truly a hero he would have been upset and down on himself right after he had taken it and before his fight. WOuld he not be mad at himself if the girdle did protect him?

3) What is the climax of the book?

After Gawain is teased by the Green Giant the first two times the third strike come and nicks Gawain on the neck. Gawain jumps back and starts to prepare for the battle that isn't about to come. "He lifts the weighty weapon, lets it fall straight" page 82 line 2309 This is the climax because it is the point where we find out if the girdle works or not and if Gawain is going to die. Too bad it was only a trick...

4) What does the girdle symbolize? 

The girdle represents Gawain's over obsessive love for his life on earth. Even though he chooses to believe in God and his powers to save him he chooses to except the girdle. The girdle is a symbol of human nature and its tendency to take advantages of sometimes unrealistic or fake ideals that will hopefully save us. This confuses me though because the book never says that Gawain isn't going to die and get his head chopped off. So why would he be relying in god to save him? Or is he supposed to be sure enough that he's going to heaven so that he isn't scared of dying?

5) There are a few allusions to Christ, Mary and faith (or failure of faith) can you pick a couple out and discuss why they are there? 

pg 74 line 2059 "I will certainly, God Willing, return with a great gift" This is a interesting place to put this line. Gawain has just put on his armor and wrapped the girdle around him tightly. However, he still says that his fate is in Gods hands. You would think that if he were to truly believe this at this time and that his fate was really "God willed" he would not be wearing the girdle. This is another reason why I don't like Gawain, if he is going to get all sad and pouty about being a poor christian then he should realize he is doing it now, rather than just when his pagan qualities are proven fake. 

Right before this the arming of night seen is described. Unlike the first time Gawain sets off in his armor there is a less Christian vibe to it. The first time he describes his shield and its picture of Marry and it's pentangle , "he was found without fault in his five senses." However, in the second arming more attention is paid to his armor and its protecting qualities than its symbolism of faith. Instead of Gawain looking to his shield for protection both physically and spiritually he puts both of those into his girdle that is tied around him. This lack of God and faith is used to show Gawain's falter in belief and to help us see the change the castle has caused him.

Sir Gawain Fit 3 #1

1) Compare each of the hunting scenes with the bedroom scenes in the castle. Explain how the hunting scenes symbolize what is going on in the bedroom and explore how the differ animals hunted relate to the different tactics used by the lady each day.

Bertilaks first hunt is for female deer. His hunting method involves blowing horns and releasing dogs to scare up the dear and trap them near the hunters. This type of hunting requires very little skill and is more of a hail marry than anything. Bertilaks is basically just going out hoping for the best and getting what he can without putting forth any real technique or picking out the animals he wishes to kill. The first time the Lady goes after Gawain she does relatively the same thing. She walks in and makes it clear she is there because she likes Gawain. Much like Bertilak who goes in guns blazing making a huge racket "bugle-sounds echoed around the wood" the Lady goes in without using any real technique except for throwing herself at Gawain. "...the door is shut firm and fastened with a hasp...my mind and body are only for your pleasure." Both in the hunt and in the bedroom no real plan or technique is used to capture their prey. Both Gawain and the deer are blocked from escaping and then the Lady and Bertilak start shooting wildly hoping to come out with what they want but not really taking the time or care to see what it is they are shooting at.

The Boar is a very tough beast that requires a bit more tactic than deer. When Bertilak goes after the boar he must track it down and then throw volleys of arrows at it but the arrows are of no use as they wont penetrate the rough hide. Gawain, much like the boar, takes a plan to bring down. The Lady goes after him and tries to persuade him by flattering him. Much like the boar Gawain is described as having the muscle to force anybody he wants to have fun with him, which is seen in the boar when it destroys dogs and men during the hunt. The hunt of Gawain and the boar are comparable as it took more strategy to take down the boar but the boar was able to withstand the attacks because of its thick hide, or in Gawain's case his chivalry.

The fox and the lady are compared in the third hunt/bedroom seen. The fox is a trickster and a graceful animal while the tactics used by the lady are much the same and she is even described as wearing a fine fur robe. The fox is able to evade the hunters by slipping back and forth and back tracking making the capture of the fox being much more difficult than killing deer or boars with sheer force and power. Like the fox the Lady plays games with Gawain by using her good looks and charm to evoke his boyish hormones in an attempt to seduce him. However both the fox and the Lady's charm fail as the fox is skinned and the Lady gives up after she doesn't get any.