| Section |
Summary |
| Prologue |
Chaucer's Prologue begins with a description of springtime. The April rains drench the ground, and roots deep in the soi...
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| The Knight's Tale |
Theseus, Duke of Athens, was a mighty conqueror, even triumphing over the Amazons and taking the queen of the Ama...
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| The Miller's Tale |
Chaucer notes that the company, especially the "gentlefolk," enjoyed the Knight's tale. Harry Bailey then says it is the...
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| The Reeve's Prologue and Tale |
Everyone but Oswald the Reeve (who is a carpenter) thinks the Miller's tale is hilarious. The Reeve then says he is old ...
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| The Cook's Prologue and Tale |
The Cook finds the Reeve's tale funny and decides he will tell a tale of his own. Harry Bailey teases him a bit but agre...
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| The Man of Law's Prologue, Tale, and Epilogue |
Harry Bailey notes that it is now 10 o'clock in the morning and calls upon the Man of Law to tell his story, reminding h...
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| The Shipman's Tale |
There is no prologue to the Shipman's tale, but in the Epilogue of the Man of Law's tale, the Shipman objects to the Hos...
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| The Prioress's Prologue and Tale |
Harry Bailey now politely calls on the Prioress to tell her story, and she agrees. First she prays and dedicates her sto...
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| Chaucer's Tale of Sir Topaz |
The Prioress's tale has a sobering effect on the company, so Harry Bailey calls on Chaucer to tell a "tale of mirth." Th...
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| Chaucer's Tale of Melibee |
Melibee was a rich and mighty young man. One day, while Melibee is away from home, three burglars break into his home an...
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| The Monk's Tale |
Harry Bailey is impressed with Dame Prudence's patience, noting that his own wife is not a peace-loving person. He then ...
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| The Nun's Priest's Tale |
A poor widow keeps a few animals, including a rooster named Chanticleer—a fine specimen with a loud crow—and his seven h...
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| The Physician's Tale |
The Physician's tale occurs in different positions in various editions, reflecting uncertainty among scholars about Chau...
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| The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale |
Before he begins his story, the Pardoner describes his preaching methods. He says frankly that he puts on quite a show, ...
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| The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale |
Before the Wife of Bath tells her story, she explains that she has been married five times. To justify her many marriage...
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| The Friar's Prologue and Tale |
After hearing the Wife of Bath's tale, the Friar says their stories should steer clear of theological topics. He says he...
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| The Summoner's Prologue and Tale |
The Summoner, incensed by the Friar's disrespect, tells an unflattering story about all the friars in Hell who live insi...
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| The Clerk's Prologue and Tale |
Harry Bailey now calls on the Clerk to tell a story of adventure. The Clerk agrees.
In Saluzzo, a beautiful regi...
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| The Merchant's Prologue, Tale, and Epilogue |
Prompted by all the talk of husbands and wives, the Merchant chimes in, saying he is married to a horrible woman, nothin...
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| The Squire's Prologue and Tale |
Harry Bailey now calls on the Squire to tell a tale.
King Cambuskan was a man of many good qualities, honorable ...
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| The Franklin's Prologue and Tale |
The Franklin says he is going to tell a story of a noble Breton, and he apologizes in advance for his "untutored speech"...
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| The Second Nun's Prologue and Tale |
The Second Nun explains that she will tell a tale of Saint Cecilia. She prays to the Virgin Mary to "amend" her tale if ...
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| The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue and Tale |
After the Second Nun's tale, two strangers approach the company on very tired horses—a Canon and his Yeoman. (A canon is...
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| The Manciple's Prologue and Tale |
As the pilgrim company rides on, Harry Bailey notices that the Cook is asleep and says he should wake up and tell them a...
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| The Parson's Prologue and Tale |
After the Manciple is done telling his story, Harry Bailey calls upon the Parson. But the parson says he will tell no "f...
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| Chaucer's Retractions |
Chaucer begs readers' forgiveness if his work displeases and asks them to consider it the fault of his ability, not his ...
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