Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales: "The Prologue" Comprehension Questions

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1. Chaucer says that people long to go on pilgrimages and palmers long to seek the stranger strands when the spring comes. People long to go on pilgrimages during this time because the start of the pilgrimage falls on the first day of the first sign of the zodiac. Palmers, those who have gone to the Holy Land and thus wear two crossed palm leaves, wish to continue their religious experiences and travel to far-off saints. Thomas Becket was especially popular with pilgrims because he was a martyr who had been killed in his own cathedral by Henry II’s knights. Henry himself went on a pilgrimage to Canterbury to mourn the loss. Miracles were said to have been performed at his tomb site, causing Becket to be referred as a saint.

2.
a. The Prologue takes place at The Tabard in Southwark, a suburb of London at the time. The next day the pilgrims depart and are on their way to Canterbury.

b. People have gathered at this place because they are a fellowship and they are departing the next morning to go on a pilgrimage to Thomas Becket’s tomb. In addition, the rooms and stables of the inn were wide, the finest victuals were served, the wine was good, and the host was entertaining.

Some background information on the Middle Ages:

• The Battle of Hastings 1066 - transition from Old English to Middle English
• Geoffrey Chaucer 1343-1400
• Hundred Years' War promotes English language
• Anglo-Saxons' invasion starts English
• Printing press in 1454
• Black Death - 1.5 million died
• Alfred the Great
• War of the Roses - Peasant Revolt
• Chaucer - individualism - all classes- flaws -> 7 deadly sins
• Enjambment, when a thought does not end at the end of the line