Canterbury Characters
Had five husbands.
Who is the Wife of Bath?
A long, serious, poetic narrative about a significant event, often featuring a hero.
What is an epic poem?
He is able to defeat Grendel by ripping his arm off; he is able to defeat Grendel's mother by holding his breath an insane length of time; he is known for this great strength in battle as well as sport competition.
Who is Beowulf?
This comes to symbolize honor by the end of the story.
What is the green girdle?
The pilgrimage to Canterbury takes place during this time of year.
What is spring?
Squire’s servant.
Who is the Yeoman?
A brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events.
What is an epic hero?
Big in size, and had the strength of many. But he was not brave at all; he is described as a "large figure with the strength to pick up the weight of a grown man and consume him whole."
Who is Grendel?
The Green Knight was also known by this name.
What is Bertilak?
People who inhabited Great Britain from the 5th century. They included people from Germanic tribes who migrated to the island from continental Europe, and their descendants; as well as indigenous British groups.
Who are the Anglo-Saxons?
Loved to learn for the sake of learning.
Who is the Clerk?
This aged term defined the language spoken during the time period.
What is Old (Old English)?
This character is given no name.
Who is Grendel's Mother?
To travel to the Green Chapel, Gawain mounted this steed.
Who is Gringolet?
A tale of high adventure that can be a religious crusade, a conquest for the knight’s liege and lord or the rescue of a captive lady or any combination of God, a goodly king and a pretty girl.
What is a medieval romance/quest/adventure narrative?
Christ-like, patient, giving, holy, virtuous.
Who is the Parson?
The Anglo-saxon period ended when the Normans invaded in this year.
What is 1066?
The character who takes over for Beowulf after he dies.
Who is Wiglaf?
This woman wants to challenge Arthur’s rule and sets up the test against the knight.
Who is Morgan Le Faye?
This historic figure, who became known as a martyr, is who is being honored by the Canterbury pilgrimage.
Who is Sir Thomas Becket?
Sells false relics, bulging eyes, long yellow hair.
Who is the Pardoner?
This word describes the Anglo-Saxon idea of fate.
What is Wyrd?
He is jealous of Beowulf and feels inferior to Beowulf. He doubts Beowulf's power to defeat Grendel, claiming that it is luck that has been helping Beowulf in his previous encounters.
Who is Unferth?
The name of the symbol on Sir Gawain's shield.
What is the pentagle?
1.Birth of a great hero is shrouded in mystery 2.He is reared away from his true home in ignorance of his real parents 3.For a time his true identity is unknown 4.After meeting an extraordinary challenge, he claims his right 5.His triumph benefits his nation or group
What are characteristics of the Hero?