In April, with the beginning of spring, people
of varying social classes come from all over England to gather at the Tabard
Inn in preparation for a pilgrimage to Canterbury to receive the blessings of
St. Thomas à Becket, the English martyr. Chaucer himself is one of the
pilgrims. That evening, the Host of the Tabard Inn suggests that each member of
the group tell tales on the way to and from Canterbury in order to make the
time pass more pleasantly. The person who tells the best story will be awarded
an elegant dinner at the end of the trip. The Host decides to accompany the
party on its pilgrimage and appoints himself as the judge of the best tale.
Shortly after their departure the day, the
pilgrims draw straws. The Knight, who draws the shortest straw, agrees to tell
the first story — a noble story about knights and honor and love. When the
Knight finishes his story, the Host calls upon the Monk. The drunken Miller,
however, insists that it is his turn, and he proceeds to tell a story about a
stupid carpenter. At the end of his story, everyone roars with laughter —
except the Reeve, who had once been a carpenter. To get back at the Miller, the
Reeve tells a lowbrow story about a cheating miller. At the end of The
Reeve's Tale,the Cook, Roger, promises to tell a true story, but he doesn't
complete his tale.
By now, the first day is rapidly passing, and
the Host hurries the pilgrims to get on with their tales. Using the best
legalese that he knows, he calls upon the Man of Law for the next tale. The Man
of Law proceeds to tell the tale of Constancy. The Host is very pleased with
the tale and asks the Parson to relate another one just as good. The Parson
declines, however, and rebukes the Host for swearing and ridiculing him (the
Parson). The Shipman breaks in and tells a lively story to make up for so much
moralizing.
The Wife of Bath is the next to tell a story,
and she begins by claiming that happy marriages occur only when a wife has
sovereignty over her husband. When the Wife of Bath finishes her story, the
Friar offers his own tale about a summoner. The Host, however, always the
peacekeeper, admonishes the Friar to let the Summoner alone. The Summoner
interrupts and says the Friar can do as he likes and will be repaid with a tale
about a friar. Nevertheless, the Friar's tale about a summoner makes the
Summoner so angry that he tells an obscene story about the fate of all friars
and then continues with an obscene tale about one friar in particular.
After the Friar and Summoner finish their
insulting stories about each other, the Host turns to the Clerk and asks for a
lively tale. The Clerk tells a story about Griselda and her patience — a story
that depicts the exact opposite of The Wife of Bath's Tale. The
Merchant comments that he has no wife as patient and sweet as Griselda and
tells of tale of a young wife who cheats on her old husband. After the
Merchant's tale, the Host requests another tale about love and turns to the
Squire, who begins a tale of supernatural events. He does not finish, however,
because the Franklin interrupts him to compliment the Squire on his eloquence
and gentility. The Host, interested only get in getting the next story told,
commands the Franklin to begin his tale, which he does. The Franklin tells of a
happy marriage.
Then the Physician offers his tale of the
tragic woe of a father and daughter — a story that upsets the Host so much that
he requests a merry tale from the Pardoner. The Pardoner tells a tale in which
he proves that, even though he is not a moral man, he can tell a moral tale. At
the end of the tale, the Pardoner invites the pilgrims to buy relics and
pardons from him and suggests that the Host should begin because he is the most
sinful. This comment infuriates the Host; the Knight intercedes between the
Host and the Pardoner and restores peace.
The pilgrims then hear a story by the Prioress
about a young martyr. After the seriousness of this tale, the Host turns to
Chaucer and asks him for something to liven up the group. Chaucer begins a
story about Sir Topas but is soon interrupted by the Host, who exclaims that he
is tired of the jingling rhymes and wants Chaucer to tell a little something in
prose. Chaucer complies with the boring story of Melibee.
After the tale of Melibee, the Host turns to
the merry Monk and demands a story that he confidently expects to be a jovial
and happy tale. Instead, the Monk relates a series of tales in which tragedy
befalls everyone. The Knight joins in with the Host in proclaiming that the
Monk's tales are too much to bear and requests a merry tale. But the Monk
refuses, and the Host turns to the Nun's Priest and calls for a tale. Thus the
Nun's Priest relates the tale of the barnyard rooster, Chaunticleer, his lady,
and a fox. The Second Nun then offers a tale that befits her station — a retelling
of the events in the life of St. Cecilia.
Suddenly, two men approach the pilgrims. One is
a canon; the other his yeoman (servant). The Host welcomes them and asks
whether either has a tale to tell. The Canon's Yeoman answers that his master
has many strange tales filled with mirth and laughter, yet when he begins to
tell of their life and actions, the Canon slips away embarrassed and
frightened.
As the party nears Canterbury, the Host demands
a story from the Manciple, who tells of a white crow that can sing and talk.
Finally, the Host turns to the last of the group, the Parson, and bids him to
tell his tale. The Parson agrees and proceeds with a sermon. The Tales end with
Chaucer's retraction.
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