The nobility in The Canterbury Tales is represented by the knight, which Chaucer describes as loving, “trouthe and honour, freedom and curteisye” (46). Since the knight is a worthy defender and protector of the people, the modern-day equivalent would be our country’s police officers and military.
- Nobility/Ruling Class – Knight and Squire.
- Clergy – Monk, Friar, Prioress, Parson, Summoner, Pardoner.
- Middle Class – Merchant, Doctor, Student, Wife of Bath.
- Peasants – Miller, Plowman, Skipper.
- Physical Characteristics, Clothing, and Accessories.
- Words, Experiences, and Personality Traits.
Chaucer’s description of the Pardoner suggests he’s part of the Middle Age’s emerging middle class. He is well-dressed and groomed; Chaucer even describes him as a bit of a dandy, a man overly concerned with his appearance.
The wealthiest class with the most respect is royalty, which is followed by the noble. Both royalty and noble had a few things in common, one being clothes made from fine materials with bright colors and fancy food covered in seasonings that were devoured by the rich and served by the poor (The Middle Ages, 2018).
The three Medieval estates were the Clergy (those who prayed), the Nobility (those who fought) and lastly the Peasantry (those who labored).
Is the Pardoner a noble?
– The narrator gives ironic compliments to the Pardoner: -“In church he was a noble ecclesiast” (714) The Pardoner is anything but noble.
Who is middle class in Canterbury Tales?
And Chaucer’s interest in middle class characters, such as a cook, carpenter, miller, lawyer, merchant, clerk, physician reflects the rise of the middle class in the fourteenth century (Collin 1).
working class man
The Skipper (or Shipman) in The Canterbury Tales stands out as a character because he is a straight-forward, working class man who lacks the hypocrisy of many other characters who have more wealth and status.
Who is the most noble character in Canterbury Tales?
The nobility in The Canterbury Tales is represented by the knight, which Chaucer describes as loving, “trouthe and honour, freedom and curteisye” (46). Since the knight is a worthy defender and protector of the people, the modern-day equivalent would be our country’s police officers and military.
the Knight
In The Canterbury Tales, the Knight has the highest social rank amongst the pilgrims, and he is introduced first by the narrator. He is also the first person to tell his story.
What is ironic about the Pardoner?
The Pardoner tells a story with the intention of teaching the company that greed is the root of all evil, yet he tries to swindle them and get contributions even after he admits they are fake. This is ironic because he should be practicing what he preaches, but he does the exact opposite.
What sins did the Pardoner commit?
The Pardoner’s gluttony and lechery, for example, lead to his greed because of the need to finance his luxurious lifestyle. The same for the rioters, who plan to use their new wealth to finance their gambling, drinking, and whoring.
What is the Pardoner known for?
The Pardoner is a swindler, a smooth-talking cleric who offers pardons for sin in exchange for money (known as “indulgences” in the Middle Ages). He admits his hypocrisy, but his love for money, food, and liquor stop him from ending his vices.
In conclusion, all the characters in The Canterbury Tales fall in one of the three social classes: nobility, clergy, and peasants, implying that England was structured during the feudal and medieval periods. The peasants belonged to the lowest class and lived under poor conditions.
How does Chaucer view the middle class?
In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer depicts this rising middle class of medieval England in a positive light by joining all the classes together during the pilgrimage, by describing the variety and utility of the middle class through details of different characters, and by stressing the value of education to the middle
Who is the most evil in Canterbury Tales?
the Pardoner
Thus, while the Pardoner is the most evil of the pilgrims, he is nevertheless the most intriguing. The most provocative thing about the Pardoner is his open revelation about his own hypocrisy and avarice.
Who was most ironical character in Canterbury Tales?
The two holy men are the most ironic characters described in the first part of the tales. The monk, who hunts and does not believe in the old rules of the saints, is a direct criticism of the Church in Chaucer’s times.
Was Geoffrey Chaucer a noble?
Although the Chaucers were not of noble birth, they were extremely well-to-do. The young Chaucer began his career by becoming a page to Elizabeth de Burgh, fourth Countess of Ulster. In 1359, Chaucer traveled with Lionel of Antwerp, Elizabeth’s husband, as part of the English army in the Hundred Years’ War.
The term upper class refers to a group of individuals who occupy the highest place and status in society. These people are considered the wealthiest, lying above the working and middle class in the social hierarchy.
What rank of people were found in the groups of the pilgrims?
The pilgrims of the highest rank are the Knight (a member of the lesser nobility, or gentry), his son the Squire, and the Monk and the Prioress, who hold monastic offices and came from upper-class families. Those of the lowest rank are the Manciple, the Cook, the Reeve, the Miller, and the Ploughman.
What is the moral of the Pardoner’s story?
Death is personified as a character, and he is symbolic that death is predictable and inevitable. The moral is about being greedy and corrupt. People should by wary of other’s greed.