Profiteers
He 'keeps the gold he wins in pestilences,' = doesn't really care if people get better. Has a scam going with apothecary buddies. Doesn't read The Bible much.
Who is The Doctor (115)
He drags sinners to church, and has huge, nasty, pus-filled boils over his face. Drinks wine until everything 'gets hazy.' 'Children are afraid when he appears.'
Who is The Summoner (120)
He's mentioned along with members of the guildsmen. Makes clothes for a living. Carries a knife wrought of the finest silver.
Who is The Haberdasher (and Guildsmen) (114)
This portly character is based on Chaucer himself, so he's praised for being 'full of wisdom and tact,' and serves only the finest victuals.
Who is The Host (123)
He is technically a lawyer, but his job is to buy food for his college. He's illiterate but keeps this a secret, and uses the law to his own advantage, 'wiping the eyes' of others.
Who is The Manciple (119)
He's a landowner who 'lives for pleasure;' no one has a better stock of wine. He loves to eat well = is overweight, with a white beard.
Who is The Franklin (114)
The only reputable, respected clergyman Chaucer describes. He 'knows Christ's gospel,' and is 'a shepherd to his congregation.'
Who is The Parson (117)
The lowest class member of the pilgrims, who is honest, good, and true. 'He lives in peace and perfect charity.' He loves Christ and donates what money he makes to charity.
Who is The Plowman (118)
She has a big gap between her teeth, which indicated promiscuity during the Middle Ages. She's been married five times.
Who is The Wife of Bath (116)
He's wearing all green, like Robin Hood. His head is 'shaped like a nut' and his skin is brown from working in the sun all day.
Who is The Yeoman (107)
He makes money by selling fake religious artifacts, 'making monkeys of the congregation.' He has bulging eyeballs and a greasy rat tail with a goaty voice. Sells 'pardons', which are like 'get-out-of-Hell Free' cards.
Who is The Pardoner (111)
He plays a Medieval lute-like instrument called a Hurdy-Gurdy and offers to absolve people's sins if they pay him silver. 'Knows the taverns in every town.'
Who is The Friar (110)
His skin is 'choleric' = yellow! He has a closely shorn beard and skinny legs. His job is to take inventory of his lord's manor, and he overcharges the serfs and then short-changes the lord.
Who is The Reeve (119)
He is distinguished, 'modest as a maid,' and 'not gaily dressed.' He's been through many battles...
Who is The Knight (106)
He wears a dagger around his neck and makes his prisoners walk the plank on his ship. He steals wine from Bordeaux for kicks.
Who is The Skipper (115)
He's a salesman, who plays it off that he's rich even though he isn't. He's actually in a lot of debt.
Who is The Merchant (111)
He's not modest or poor as parishioners should be: he has swanky boots, fur coats, and fine horses. He loves to go hunting. He's 'fat and personable.'
Who is The Monk (109)
He can distinguish London Ale by flavor. He has a huge disgusting ulcer on his knee…doesn't it make you hungry?
Who is The Cook (115)
He's a young buck who is popular with the ladies. He's got curly yellow hair and is 'fresh as the month of May.'
Who is The Squire (107)
He's quiet, philosophizing, and morally virtuous. He's very well-read, but not very worldly.
Who is The Oxford Cleric (112)
He plays a Medieval lute-like instrument called a Hurdy-Gurdy and offers to absolve people's sins if they pay him silver. 'Knows the taverns in every town.'
Who is The Friar (110)
The author of Italy's Decameron, the frame story that inspired Chaucer to compose The Canterbury Tales
Who is Giovanni Boccaccio
He's a huge dude with a bushy red beard, a big wart on his nose, and has 'a mouth like a furnace door.' He steals grain by putting 'thumbing the scale.'
Who is The Miller (118)
She's way into manners, dainty, polite, and pretentious in that she tries to speak French. She has a high brow, stylish at the time. Her charm says 'Love Conquers All.'
Who is The Prioress (108)
He is a high-ranking lawyer, who 'memorizes every statute and law,' Nobody is as busy as he... (PRETENDS to be!)
Who is The Sergeant at Law (112)