Geoffrey Chaucer is known as the father of English poetry, particularly for his brilliant insight of human nature. In The Canterbury Tales, his illuminating views of character are clearly evident when he describes the pilgrims in his stories. Chaucer's characterization vividly reveals his insight into human nature. When Chaucer describes the Monk, he talks about the human nature of worldliness. He writes, "This same ... up nicely and talks about only his successes in order to present a false image of a good businessman, when he is actually failing and in debt. Through his characters in The Ca...

• Word Count: 316
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

Chaucer's General prologue and Wife of Bath's Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales are about a group of pilgrims that are traveling to Canterbury to pay homage to St. Thomas Becket, ex-Archbishop of Canterbury, current martyr. Chaucer's pilgrims assemble at the Tabard Inn where the host of the inn, suggests that each pilgrim tell 2 tales each way on the pilgrimage "That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye,In ... this viage shal telle tales tweye" (lines 791-792 General Prologue). There are 29 pilgrims, Pilgrim Chaucer and the Host. This ... assemblege of 31 pilgrims then would make for a tot...

• Word Count: 942
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School