used for reporting in English and American Literature Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (English Literature) includes setting, characters, summary, Chaucer's Tale of Melibee, Wife of Bath's Tale,

1. The Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer

2. Setting
• April, the beginning of spring
• Tabard Inn
• Pilgrimage to Canterbury to receive
blessings of St. Thomas a Becket
(English martyr)

3. Characters
•The Host of the Tabard Inn (Harry Bailey)
•The Knight, his son and his Yeoman
•The Drunken Miller
•The Reeve (once a carpenter)
•Man (or Sergeant) of Law
•Roger, the Cook
•Wife of Bath (Alisoun)
•Hubert, The Friar
•The Summoner
•The Clerk
•The Merchant
•The Squire and his Yeoman
•Franklin
•The Shipman
•The Prioress (Madame Eglantine)
•The Physician
•The Pardoner
•The merry Monk
•Nun’s Priest
•The Second Nun
•The Canon and the Canon’s Yeoman
•The Manciple
•The Parson
•Chaucer (poet-pilgrim)

5. By now, the first day is rapidly passing, and the Host hurries the pilgrims to get on with their tales. He calls upon the Man of
Law for the next tale. The Man of Law proceeds to tell the tale of Constancy. The Host is very pleased with the tale and asks
the Parson to relate another one just as good. The Parson declines, however, and rebukes the Host for swearing and
ridiculing him (the Parson). The Shipman breaks in and tells a lively story to make up for so much moralizing.
The Knight drew the shortest straw, agreed to tell the story first. It was a noble story about knights and honor and love.
When the Knight finishes his story, the Host calls upon the Monk. The drunken Miller, however, insists that it is his turn, and
he proceeds to tell a story about a stupid carpenter. At the end of his story, everyone roars with laughter — except the
Reeve, who had once been a carpenter. To get back at the Miller, the Reeve tells a lowbrow story about a cheating miller. At
the end of The Reeve's Tale, the Cook, Roger, promises to tell a true story, but he doesn't complete his tale
Summary
The 29 pilgrims, excluding the poet-pilgrim gathered at the Tabard Inn to prepare for a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. Thomas a Becket. The
Host suggested that each member of the group will tell tales on the way to and from Canterbury to make the time pass more quickly. The
owner of the best story will have an elegant dinner at the end of the trip, the Host of the Tabard Inn will be the judge.

6. After the Merchant's tale, the Host requests another tale about love and turns to the Squire, who begins a tale of
supernatural events. Franklin interrupts him to compliment the Squire on his eloquence and gentility. The Host,
interested only get in getting the next story told, commands the Franklin to begin his tale, which he does. The Franklin
tells of a happy marriage.
The Merchant comments that he has no wife as patient and sweet as Griselda and tells of tale of a young
wife who cheats on her old husband.
The Host turns to the Clerk and asks for a lively tale. The Clerk tells a story about Griselda and her patience — a story
that depicts the exact opposite of The Wife of Bath's Tale.
When the Wife of Bath finishes her story, the Friar offers his own tale about a summoner. The Host, however, always the peacekeeper,
admonishes the Friar to let the Summoner alone. The Summoner interrupts and says the Friar can do as he likes and will be repaid with
a tale about a friar. The Friar's tale about a summoner makes the Summoner so angry that he tells an obscene story about the fate of
all friars and then continues with an obscene tale about one friar in particular.
Continuation
The Wife of Bath is the next to tell a story, and she begins by claiming that happy marriages occur only when a wife has
sovereignty over her husband.

7. the Host turns to the Nun's Priest and calls for a tale. Thus the Nun's Priest relates the tale of the barnyard rooster,
Chaunticleer, his lady, and a fox. The Second Nun then offers a tale that befits her station — a retelling of the events in
the life of St. Cecilia.
The Host turns to the merry Monk and demands a story that he confidently expects to be a jovial and happy tale.
Instead, the Monk relates a series of tales in which tragedy befalls everyone.
The Prioress tells the story about a young martyr. After the seriousness of this tale, the Host turns to Chaucer and asks him for
something to liven up the group. Chaucer begins a story about Sir Topas but is soon interrupted by the Host, who exclaims that he is
tired of the jingling rhymes and wants Chaucer to tell a little something in prose. Chaucer complies with the boring story of Melibee.
The Pardoner tells a tale in which he proves that, even though he is not a moral man, he can tell a moral tale. At the end of the tale, the
Pardoner invites the pilgrims to buy relics and pardons from him and suggests that the Host should begin because he is the most sinful.
This comment infuriates the Host; the Knight intercedes between the Host and the Pardoner and restores peace.
Continuation
Then the Physician offers his tale of the tragic woe of a father and daughter — a story that upsets the Host so much that he requests a
merry tale from the Pardoner.

8. As the party nears Canterbury, the Host demands a story from the Manciple, who tells of a white crow that can sing and talk. Finally,
the Host turns to the last of the group, the Parson, and bids him to tell his tale. The Parson agrees and proceeds with a sermon. The
Tales end with Chaucer's retraction.
Continuation
Suddenly, two men approach the pilgrims. One is a canon; the other his yeoman (servant). The Host welcomes them and asks whether
either has a tale to tell. The Canon's Yeoman answers that his master has many strange tales filled with mirth and laughter, yet when he
begins to tell of their life and actions, the Canon slips away embarrassed and frightened.

9. Summary
When Melibee and his wife are away, three burglars break into their
home and grievously injure their daughter, Sophia. Melibee decides to
avenge himself, but his wife, Dame Prudence, talks him into getting
advice and then convinces him that, of all the advice he has gotten, her
own advice is the best.
The three burglars are found and brought before Dame Prudence, who
suggests a peaceful settlement. Her husband, Melibee, decides to let
them off with a fine, but Dame Prudence vetoes this. Melibee then
forgives the burglars, rebukes them, and extols his own magnanimity.
We never know what happens to Sophia.
Chaucer’s Tale of Melibee

10. •Melibee (husband)
•Dame Prudence
(wife)
•Sophia (their
daughter
•Three burglars
Chaucer’s
Tale of
Melibee

11. Summary
A lusty young knight in King Arthur's court rapes a beautiful young maiden. The people are repulsed by
the knight's behavior and demand justice. Although the law demands that the knight be beheaded, the
queen and ladies of the court beg to be allowed to determine the knight's fate. The queen then gives the
knight a year to discover what women most desire.
The year passes quickly. As the knight rides dejectedly back to the court knowing that he will lose his life,
he suddenly sees 24 young maidens dancing and singing. As he approaches them, the maidens disappear,
and the only living creature is a foul old woman, who approaches him and asks what he seeks. The knight
explains his quest, and the old woman promises him the right answer if he will do what she demands for
saving his life. The knight agrees. When the queen bids the knight to speak, he responds correctly that
women most desire sovereignty over their husbands.
Having supplied him with the right answer, the old crone demands that she be his wife and his love. The
knight, in agony, agrees. On their wedding night, the knight pays no attention to the foul woman next to
him. When she questions him, he confesses that her age, ugliness, and low breeding are repulsive to him.
The old hag reminds him that true gentility is not a matter of appearances but of virtue. She tells him
that her looks can be viewed as an asset. If she were beautiful, many men would be after her; in her
present state, however, he can be assured that he has a virtuous wife. She offers him a choice: an old ugly
hag such as she, but still a loyal, true, and virtuous wife, or a beautiful woman with whom he must take
his chances. The knight says the choice is hers. And because she has "won the mastery," she tells him,
"'Kiss me . . . and you shall find me both . . . fair and faithful as a wife." Indeed, she had become a lovely
young woman, and they lived happily ever after.
Wife of Bath’s Tale

12. •Lusty young knight
•Young maiden
(raped by the knight)
•King and Queen
•crone
•Three burglars
The Wife
of Bath’s
Tale