Discussion Questions

  1.  Why would spring time awaken a desire in the pilgrims to go on a spiritual journey?
  2. What can we discern about the character Chaucer from evidence in the General Prologue?
  3. What are the characteristics of the Knight that prompt Chaucer to say that he is “worthy”?
  4. What is the most impressive quality of the Squire?
  5. Besides taking good care of her dogs, what else does Chaucer find to praise in the character of the Prioress?
  6. What behavior of the Monk is inconsistent with what we might expect of a religious person?
  7. Why is the friar so generous to the young women of the town, even paying for their weddings?
  8. What is the most surprising detail about the Merchant?
  9. How would the Clerk repay people who contributed to his studies?
  10. Exactly how busy was the Lawyer?
  11. Why does Chaucer say that the Franklin was “Epicurus owene sone”?
  12. Is Chaucer the pilgrim hungry to eat the food prepared by the Cook?
  13. How competent was the Shipman at his trade?
  14. How competent was the Doctor at his profession?
  15. Why does the Wife of Bath like to go on pilgrimages?
  16. How is the Parson different from the other members of the First Estate that Chaucer has described?
  17. Why would Chaucer say that the Miller had a “thombe of gold”?
  18. How does the Reeve merit getting an old coat from his master?
  19. Why are children afraid of the Sommoner?
  20. What relics does the Pardoner use to bamboozle simple people into giving him money?