Canterbury Tales

2 Pages 533 Words

Pilgrim Personalities
Each character in “The Canterbury Tales” has their personality described in the prologue. Later in the book they each tell a story. The character’s personality, lifestyle, interests, intelligence, vocation, and attitudes toward life and people are reflected in their tale. Each pilgrim’s description in the prologue is directly related to the story that they tell.
The prioress is a religious well-mannered lady. She sang well at church and “she was all sentiment and tender heart” (page 6). The prioress sang her tale. It was a religious story about a Christian boy that was murdered in a Jewish neighborhood because he was singing Mary’s song. This tale describes the prioress well because it is a religious inspirational story of a martyr. She told a nice proper story that promoted her religion.
The miller is “a great stout fellow big in brawn and bone” (page 18). He steals grain, is a wrangler, and a buffoon. His story shows exactly the type of person that he is. It’s about trickery, very blunt, and entertaining. Alison is married but is in love with Nicholas. They trick Alison’s husband into believing there will be a flood that will wipe out the human race so that Alison and Nicholas can be together for one night.
The knight is “a most distinguished man” (page 4). He values truth, honor, generousness, and curiosity. He tells a story of Palamon and Arcite who fall in love with the same woman and fight to the death for her. It is a tale of love and adventure, exactly what a knight of this time was looking for. The knight is very educated. In his tale, he knows all about the Roman gods.
The pardoner’s “ wallet lay before him on his lap brimful of pardons come from Rome, all hot.” “And his flatteries and prevarication made monkeys of the priest and congregation” (page 21). This describes the pardoner because in his tale he preaches about gluttony and sin. H...