The knight- noble, experienced, modest, and gallant. The knight is dressed very humbly and is described as having traveled basically everywhere. Chaucer respects and fears the knight, for the warrior is aloof and noble. He does not fit in with the other upper class men who are described as idiots or evil beings.
Squire- young, merry, horny. The squire is dressed extravagantly, and knows the way of the court quite well. He is the antithesis of his father, he is in the business of war for love and fame against his fathers honor. The squire represents inexperience and I would not be surprised if he died.
Yeoman-again a man of experience (like a nut), he is surprisingly well dressed for a woodsman. He carries a massive bow, shield, and sword, and knows the ways of woodcraft. Chaucer is impressed with his garb, yet is wary of him. How can such a woodsman be so rich. He respects the mans hands-on experience yet believes there are some devious intentions within the yeoman.
Prioress-a woman who wants to be in courtly affairs rather than be a nun, she is described as overly loving and meek and a bit flirty. She cries at the death of a mouse or the beating of a dog, which is unfit for a nun. She also is described for her beauty. She is the first church related person and begins the trend... Chaucer hates them all. She wants to be in the court, is a nun, is overly caring. These things are used to show how the church is obsessed with more worldly goods than the spirituality it should be.
Monk-A man who neglects his duties to have a good time, he is a hunter, and often not in church. He has a lovers not for jewelry, similar to the prioress who had a "love unites all" pin. The monk keeps his horse in good condition and has many other animals which shows he is more practical than many of his fellow church men, he is also tan to support this. Out of all the church members this is Chaucer's favorite, for although he is neglecting his church duties he is lively. His robes are described as the color of rotten fruit to show how the church has spoiled a perfectly good man.
Friar-Evil, bad man, only focused on money and women. He impregnates and then marries of girls, he only deals with the rich but gets money from everyone. He lied about his permit from the pope. Chaucer hates him, hes fat lazy, a sly talker, and again not a good church member. Oh yeah he sleeps with young girls too. for what the author intends to do see the above two... church bad, the friar specifically brings out the sexual contrast between what the church is practicing and preaching (pun intended)
Merchant- The merchant thinks too highly of himself, he dresses much more elegantly than he can afford. He is also a pirate or someone in some illegal activity, why else bring up the police on a first date? He is looked upon more favorably than the church goers, yet he is still in the upper ranges of society... so he must be sneaky and crafty.
Clerk-he's poor, skinny, frail, smart, and pathetic. He cares only for his books and even starves his horse in order to pay for his education. He doesn't have a job because all he wants to do is read. Chaucer does not like him because Chaucer is rational, he likes men who work and earn a living as an honest man does. Furthermore this person probably talked about how much he loved and had and knew books. aka was really egocentric, i would have hated him too.
Sergeant at law- a fair and knowledgeable judge, the sergeant at law is accredited with never having made a judgment which could be questioned. He wears a homely coat and although is described in only 2 lines Chaucer says that is enough. Obviously this mans persona is much more important and powerful. Chaucer respects him possibly above all others for he is of a nobler class yet not obsessed with the material.
Franklin-the sheriff, he is concerned only with food. Is described as having virtually every type of food imaginable and loves to party, as his house is free for the county. Very courtly, he is described as the ideal of the gentry, whom Chaucer happens to despise.
haberdasher/carpenter/weaver/dyer/tapestry maker- men of a guild, described only physically. They carry incredibly fine materials and silver. yet there are two references to their feminine features, that they should be treated like a queen, and called madame. Chaucer must think the are sissies.
cook-an unclean cook with an ulcer on his knee, yet skilled in the arts of the culinary. the cook is described as being able to do anything in the kitchen yet he has an ulcer which could be used to show his uncleanliness or perhaps that he is one of the few good honest workers and has a deformity. This could fit into the disparity and difference between the rich and poor and the unfairness between them which appears to be present in this book.
shipman- a violent, unforgiving man, yet a brilliant navigator at sea. Chaucer is wary of this fellow, his weapon is described as "hanging free" and he is willing to put enemies to death rather than keep them as prisoners. Through this though Chaucer still respects him because he is a worker "tanned brown"
doctor of medicine-an excellent doctor, yet he is greedy. He is also described as never reading the bible, so why is he going on this pilgrimage? He appears to not believe in god for he is a man of science yet he looks to the stars to cure his patients.
wife of bath -a woman who sexes her husbands to death. She is finely dressed and courtly. She is described as knowing loves oldest dances and having been to Jerusalem three times. Chaucer feels that she is elegant and perhaps even attracted to her, yet he also points out her hidden large hips and gaped teeth.
parson-
plowman
miller
manciple
reeve
summoner
pardoner
host