Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales The Summoner The Pardoner The Narrator The Host

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Characterization –Diction “His face on fire, like a cherubim, For he had carbuncles. His eyes were narrow, He was as hot and lecherous as a sparrow. Black, scabby brows he had, and a thin beard. Children were afraid when he appeared.” ( )

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Unattractive man Cherubim –An angel –In medieval art, angels’ faces were painted red

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Carbuncles –a painful local purulent inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues with multiple openings for the discharge of pus and usually necrosis and sloughing of dead tissue

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner “Garlic he loved, and onions too, and leeks, And drinking strong red wine till all was hazy. Then he would shout and jabber as if crazy, And wouldn’t speak a word except in Latin When he was drunk, such tags as he was pat in; He only had a few, say two or three, That he mugged up out of some decree; No wonder, for he heard them every day. And, as you know, a man can teach a jay To call out “Walter” better than the Pope.” ( )

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Glutton –Food caused him to smell –Drink intoxicated him Gets obnoxious and annoying

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Stupid –Just repeats words like a talking parrot

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner “He was a noble varlet and a kind one, You’d meet none better if you went to find one. Why, he’d allow-just for a quart of wine- Any good lad to keep a concubine A twelvemonth and dispense him altogether! And he had finches of his own to feather” ( )

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Sarcasm/Irony –Varlet scoundrel, knave –“noble varlet and a kind one” does not use the adjectives we would expect when referencing a scoundrel

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Concubine –a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married –The Summoner can be bribed (for a quart of wine) “For in his purse the punishment should be” (661) –“finches of his own to feather” guilty of the same sins

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner “Thus, as he pleased, the man could bring duress On any young fellow in the diocese. He knew their secrets, they did what he said.” ( ) –The Summoner can do whatever he wants because he knows the secrets of the men

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Purpose of the Diction –The Summoner is not a good person –Unattractive physical appearance matches his unattractive and intimidating personality

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Summoner Our Reaction to the Summoner –We do not like him –We do not trust him

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner Characterization –Diction “He and a gentle Pardoner rode together, A bird from Charing Cross of the same feather, Just back from the Court of Rome. He loudly sang “Come hither, love, come home!” The Summoner sang deep seconds to this song, No trumpet ever sounded half so strong.” ( )

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner Demonstrates a strong relationship with the Summoner –Immediately, we do not trust the Pardoner

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner “This Pardoner had hair as yellow as wax, Hanging down smoothly like a hand of flax. In driblets fell his locks behind his head Down to his shoulder which they overspread; Thinly they fell, like rat-tails, one by one.” ( )

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner Effeminate imagery –Mocks the Pardoner Animal imagery –Rat-tails Again, not complimentary Rat suggests an untrustworthy personality

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner “His wallet lay before him on his lap” (692) –Desires money

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner “I judge he was a gelding, or a mare.” (697) –Gelding a castrated animal; specifically : a castrated male horse –Mare a female horse or other equine animal

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner “For in his trunk he had a pillowcase Which he asserted was Our Lady’s Veil. He said he had a gobbet of the sail St. Peter had the time when he made bold To walk the waves, till Jesu Christ took hold. He had a cross of metal set with stones And, in a glass, a rubble of pigs’ bones. And with these relics, any time he found Some poor up-country parson to astound, On one short day, in money down he drew, More than the parson in a month or two, And by his flatteries and prevarication Made monkeys of the priest and congregation.” ( )

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner Sells fake relics Sells the fake relics to poor farmers –Taking advantage of the poor makes the Pardoner look even worse Embarrasses everyone involved with the Church

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner Purpose of the Diction –Allows the Pardoner to parallel the Summoner –Forces us to distrust the Pardoner –Forces us to dislike the Pardoner

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner Our Reaction to the Pardoner –We REALLY dislike him

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Narrator

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Narrator Purpose of Chaucer including this section –Describes how he will structure the tales –Begs for forgiveness for his bawdiness

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales The Host Purpose –Proposes the idea that everyone will tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back home –Award for the best story will be a free supper –Pilgrims draw straws to see who will tell the first story

Geschke/British Literature The Canterbury Tales Wrap Up Information It is generally accepted that Chaucer intended to portray 29 pilgrims, but descriptions of only 21 are given “The Knight’s Tale” most commonly follows the Prologue