The Canterbury Tales · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

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Chapter 1
The Prologue
As the Manciple finishes his tale, the sun is low and the Host notes that only one tale remains. He calls upon the Parson to tell a story, but the Parson refuses to tell a fable, insisting on a moral and virtuous tale in prose. The company agrees, and the Host urges him to be brief and fruitful before the sun sets.
Chapter 2
The Knight's Tale
Theseus proposes a tournament to settle the love rivalry between Palamon and Arcite for Emily, with each to bring a hundred knights to fight; he builds a grand theatre with temples to Venus, Mars, and Diana. The cousins argue over who loved Emily first, and after Perithous secures Arcite's release from prison on condition of exile, both lament their fates—Arcite for losing sight of Emily, Palamon for remaining imprisoned.
Chapter 3
The Miller's Tale
A bawdy and comedic tale of a foolish old carpenter, his young wife Alison, and two clerks—Nicholas and Absolon—who compete for her affections, leading to slapstick humiliation and a broken arm.
Chapter 4
The Prologue
As the Manciple finishes his tale, the sun is low and the Host notes that only one tale remains. He calls upon the Parson to tell a story, but the Parson refuses to tell a fable, insisting on a moral and virtuous tale in prose. The company agrees, and the Host urges him to be brief and fruitful before the sun sets.
Chapter 5
The Parson's Tale
The Parson delivers a lengthy sermon on penitence, beginning with a call to seek the old paths of righteousness. He defines penitence as the bewailing of sin with a purpose to amend, and describes its three actions (baptism after sin, avoidance of deadly sin after baptism, and daily repentance for venial sins) and its three species (solemn, common, and privy). He identifies three necessary components of perfect penitence: contrition of heart, confession of mouth, and satisfaction. The Parson then enumerates the seven deadly sins—pride, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lechery—along with their remedies, such as humility, love, patience, fortitude, compassion, abstinence, and chastity. He concludes with detailed guidance on making a true and profitable confession, emphasizing sorrowful bitterness, promptness, and thoroughness.

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The Prologue

The Knight's Tale

The Miller's Tale

The Prologue

The Parson's Tale