ESPANSIONI DI TESTO

MODULE B - The Canterbury Tales (p. 77)

TASK
Read about three of the pilgrims described by G. Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales and
make notes about their physical features, character, social position and standard of living.
Highlight the words that justify your choice.

The Monk
[ … ] There was a Monk, leader of the fashions;
Inspecting farms and hunting were his passions,
A manly man, to be an Abbot able;
Many a dainty horse he had in stable.
His bridle, when he rode, a man might hear
Jingling in a whistling wind as clear,
Aye, and as loud as does the chapel bell
Where my lord Monk was Prior of the cell(1).
The rule of good St. Benet or St. Maur(2)
As old and strict he tended to ignore;
He let go by the things of yesterday
And followed the new world's more spacious way. [ … ]
Hunting a hare or riding at a fence
Was all his fun, he spared for no expense.
I saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand
With fine grey fur, the finest in the land,
And where his hood was fastened at his chin
He had a wrought gold cunningly fashioned pin;
Into a lover's knot (3) it seemed to pass.
His head was bald and shone as any glass,
So did his face, as if it had been greased. [ … ]

The Merchant
[ … ] There was a Merchant with a forking beard
And motley (4) dress; high on his horse he sat,
Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat(5)
And on his feet daintily buckled boots.
He told of his opinions and pursuits
In solemn tones, he harped on his increase
Of capital; there should be sea-police
(He thought) upon the Harwich-Holland ranges (6);
He was expert at dabbling (7) in exchanges.
This estimable Merchant so had set
His wits to work, none knew he was in debt,
He was so stately (8) in administration,
In loans and bargains and negotiation.
He was an excellent fellow all the same;
To tell the truth I do not know his name. [ … ]

The Franklin
[ … ] There was a Franklin (9) with him (10), it appeared;
White as a daisy-petal was his beard.
A sanguine man, high-coloured and benign,
He loved a morning sop (11) of cake and wine.
He lived for pleasure and had always done,
For he was Epicurus' very son,
In whose opinion sensual delight
Was the one true felicity in sight.
As noted as St Julian (12) was for bounty (13)
He made his household free to all the County.
His bread, his ale were finest of the fine
And no one had a better stock of wine.
His house was never short of bake-meat pies (14),
Of fish and flesh, and these in such supplies
It positively snowed with meat and drink
And all the dainties that a man could think. [ … ]
And in his hall a table stood arrayed
And ready all day long, with places laid.
As Justice(15) at the Sessions none stood higher;
He often had been Member of the Shire(16).
A dagger and a little purse of silk
Hung at his girdle, white as morning milk.
As Sheriff he checked audit (17), every entry.
He was a model among landed gentry. [ … ]

(From a modern translation of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, 1387.)

(1) Convent, monastery.
(2) St Benedict and St Maurice were the founders of two religious orders.
(3) A decorative knot used as an emblem of love.
(4) A varicoloured woollen fabric.
(5) A hat made of beaver (Castor fiber) fur.
(6) Sea routes between the two ports named, within an area in which the same rates were charged.
(7) Engaging.
(8) Dignified.
(9) A free, but not noble, landowner of considerable standing.
(10) The previously mentioned pilgrim.
(11) Dish consisting in soaked bread.
(12) St Julian was the patron saint of hospitality.
(13) Generosity, munificence.
(14) Pastry or pie.
(15) A magistrate.
(16) Representative of his district.
(17) He examined account books.

Answer the questions.
What do the three pilgrims above have in common?
Where do they differ?
What is Chaucer's attitude towards them?
Which reference can be found to the society of the time?