Analysis Of Cantebury Tales

Analysis of Prologue and Tales

In Geoffrey Chaucer's, The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer carefully examines many important virtues regarding human existence. These virtues include: hubris, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony and lust. With careful analysis of the characters, a theme becomes evident. Using this analysis, a universal idea can be drawn, as opposed to limited relevance to life during the Middle Ages.

The prologue begins set at the Tabern Inn, located in Southwark, England relatively close to London. Twenty-nine pilgrims accompany the narrator of the story. All of the characters represent the diversity of all society. Among them included are: a knight, a yeoman, a squire, a monk, a friar, a clerk a merchant, a parson, a plowman, a miller, a reeve, a summoner, a pardoner and a host. The leader of the group is Harry Bailey. He encourages everyone to ride together and to exchange stories for entertainment. Harry instructs each pilgrim to tell two stories on the trip, and whoever is the best storyteller will be served a meal for a prize at Bailey's tavern. Lots are drawn to determine who shall go first and the knight wins.

The knight is described in the prologue as displaying traits of fidelity, prowess, generosity, refinement, and having a good reputation. He also upholds an extremely impressive military career. Later in the tale, the knight stops the argument between the host and the pardoner. As idealistic as it may be, the knight is clearly sickened by conflict and unhappy situations. The knight is ideally the most noble of all the pilgrims.

The knight tells a story about a great conqueror named Theseus who ruled Athens and ends up struggling against another man for the hand of a woman. The tale is romantic and demonstrates the theme of courtly love. It also reiterates the harsh realities of the instability of life. Chaucer also uses this story to suggest an ideal form of government, essentially the idea that, "no man is an island," or the idea that a good government is accomplished with the help of an outside party that stops tyrannical behavior.

Between the actual description of the knight and the story that he tells, Chaucer is clearly trying to communicate his ideas. First, he glorifies the knight who is a personification of the virtues: fortitude, justice, and temperance. Also within the story, he criticizes tyranny, which is fueled by avarice, hubris, envy, and anger.

The manciple, miller and reed are all entrusted with others properties and all three abuse the trust. The Miller is brutal and angry and makes a habit of cheating his customers. The Manciple employs lawyers who teach others how to be tactful with their spending, which is ironic considering the demeanor of the manciple. Lastly, the reeve is an accomplished thief and is extremely dishonest. Yet again within these three characters, envy and avarice is personified.

The prioress is described as being extremely well mannered and proper in speaking, drinking and eating. The compassion she illustrates for her pets also personifies prudence and temperance.

The monk and the friar go incredibly against what they ideally should be. Neither the monk nor the friar perform a traditional version of their jobs, instead they tend to exploit them. The friar neglects his spiritual duties for his own profit, and the monk lives above his calling, like a lord. The narrator hints at the idea that the friar is lecherous and greedy. He also makes an insinuation that he has married many at his own fault, suggesting sexual