THE PARDONER| THE PROLOGUE TO THE CANTERBURY TALES GEOFFREY CHAUCER

All time English poetry for students and literature lovers| explanation and analysis | easy and simple paraphrasing
One of the most iconic poet in English literature is Geoffrey Chaucer was the outstanding English poet before Shakespeare and “the first finder of our language.” His The Canterbury Tales ranks as one of the greatest poetic works in English. He also contributed importantly in the second half of the 14th century to the management of public affairs as a courtier,

His seamless blend of the literal and figurative lends his work a timeless quality, securing his place in the pantheon of American poets.
#teaching poetry
#poem in English for students# English romantic poetry #poetry in English literature #romantic poetry in English literature# a short English poem# famous poem in english literature Perhaps the chief characteristics of Chaucer’s works are their variety in subject matter, genre, tone, and style and in the complexities presented concerning the human pursuit of a sensible existence.
Chaucer does not have any particular individual in
mind but casts the Knight as an idealistic
representative of his profession. • Although the institution of chivalry had become
decadent in the fourteenth century Chaucer
withholds his criticism and instead endows the Knight
with all the gentlemanly qualities that are in keeping
with his character.
The Knight's ascetic clothing thus stands to his credit
and highlights his integrity and honor.
Chaucer also describes the Knight's participation in
several battles and campaigns.
Scholars have pointed out that the majority of the
Knight's campaigns are religious in nature and are by
and large crusades against the heathens
Thus the Knight possesses all the traditional chivalric
virtues of politeness in speech, consideration for
others, righteousness, generosity, helpfulness, and
loyalty.
He also loves truth, honor, freedom, and courtesy.
Moreover he is not only brave and worthy but also
wise. Although the Knight rides on a good horse, he isn't
ostentatiously dressed himself.
He has come straight from his expedition and is still
wearing his armor.
His simple coarse sleeveless tunic made out of fustian
bears the stains of his armor.
This minute detail serves to impart a certain degree
of realism to the portrait and also serves to underline
the Knight's religious devotion and his eagerness to
go on the pilgrimage.
• His hood is fastened under his chin with an exquisite
gold love knot.
• His boots are supple and expensive. His bald head and face shine radiantly as if anointed
with oil.
• His large eyes roll in his head and gleam like a furnace
under a cauldron.
• He is healthy and well fed and loves to eat a plump
roasted swan.
• Chaucer ironically concludes that the Monk is
certainly a "fair prelat".
• Chaucer's subtle ironic portraiture of the 'manly'
Monk and repeated approbation of the Monk's
abilities only arouses the reader's derision
The Monk's weakness for good food and expensive
clothing and his love for hunting violate the monastic
vows of poverty and simplicity.
•He is riding a sleek berry brown horse on his way to
Canterbury.
• The bells attached to his horse's bridle tinkle
pleasantly with the wind.
• Chaucer ironically pronounces that the Monk is
perfectly suitable for the office of abbot.
•He does not care at all about the rules laid down by
St. Benedict and bears no guilt about the fact that he
rides out instead of devoting himself to his monastic
Chaucer ironically agrees with the Monk's point of
view and innocently asks why should the Monk make
himself mad by pouring over a book in a cloister. • The Monk's pleasure in hunting is a fitting object of
satire.
• In the Middle Ages Monks who took delight in
hunting were severely condemned by the reformers.
• In fact hunting itself was considered an immoral
activity
• Chaucer's Monk is a perfect hunter and one who
takes extreme interest and pleasure in tracking and
hunting wild rabbits.
• He thus keeps fine horses and well bred hunting
hounds in his stable.
• The Monk is a worshipper of materialism. • The sleeves of his coat are trimmed with the finest
gray fur in the land