KING ARTHUR Character List

Arthur Son of Uther Pendragon and Igrayne, Arthur is given to Merlin the magician, who later counsels him in all matters.
Sir Ector raises the boy until he pulls the sword, Excalibur, from the stone. He then becomes the mightiest king of his time.

Uther Pendragon The mightiest of all English kings. Uther is the father of King Arthur as well as three daughters.

Igrayne The wife of the Duke of Cornwall. Uther Pendragon seduces and later marries her. She is the mother of King
Arthur.

Merlin The magician who counsels King Arthur.

Lot A king married to one of Uther Pendragon's daughters. Arthur seduces Lot's wife, not knowing that she is Arthur's own
sister, and they are the parents of Mordred. King Lot is one of the eleven kings who are hostile to Arthur; he is slain by
Pellanor.

Mordred Arthur's son by his sister, Lot's wife. Merlin prophesies that Mordred will destroy Arthur; they kill each other in a
battle for the throne of England. Mordred is half-brother to Gawain, Gareth, Gaheris, and Aggravain.

Nantres A king married to one of Uther Pendragon's daughters. King Nantres is one of the eleven kings who are hostile to
Arthur.

Morgan le Fay Uther Pendragon's third daughter; she later marries King Uriens. She tries to kill Arthur so that her lover,
Accolon, can be king.

Accolon Morgan le Fay's lover.

Ector The knight who raised Arthur until the boy pulled the sword from the stone and claimed his right to the throne. Ector
goes on the Grail Quest but fails.

Kay Sir Ector's son. He is knighted by Arthur and later goes with Arthur on a pilgrimage to St. Michael's Mount.

Ban and Bors Two kings from overseas who are loyal to Arthur. Bors goes on the Grail Quest and assists Galahad.

Lionel Bors' brother. Bors chooses to save a maiden from rape instead of saving Lionel from a beating, and Lionel tries
unsuccessfully to kill Bors in revenge.

Lodegreaunce A king aided by Arthur, Ban, and Bors.

Gawain One of King Lot's sons, he is knighted by Arthur and sits at the Round Table. He is good friends with Launcelot,
who later kills him in a battle. He goes on the Grail Quest but fails.

Gareth Another of King Lot's sons and the most noble. He arrives at the court anonymously, but he proves himself in
battle, beating six thieves, two knights, the Black Knight, the Green Knight, Sir Persaunt of Inde, the Red Knight of the
Red Lands, and the Brown Knight without Pity. Launcelot kills Gareth at the failed execution of Guinevere, even though
Gareth was unarmed and against the execution.

Gaheris, Aggravain Two of King Lot's sons. Gaheris kills his own mother and is slain by Launcelot at Guinevere's failed
execution. Aggravain spreads the news of Launcelot's and Guinevere's affair and is later killed by Launcelot.

Pellanor Hunter of the Questing Beast.

Gryfflet A young squire whose father is killed by Sir Pellanor. He asks to be made a knight to avenge his father's death.
Percival Welsh son of Pellanor who, along with his brother, Lamerok, is among the most valiant knights at the Round
Table. He goes on the Grail Quest and assists Galahad. Percival later experiences religious conversion with the help of
his aunt and holy man; he embraces the New Law (faith, hope, belief, and baptism), renounces the Devil, and becomes a
hermit.

Lamerok Welsh son of Pellanor and brother of Percival; a highly regarded knight at the Round Table. Lamerok sends a
magical cup to King Mark to test whether Mark's wife, Isode, is loyal. Lamerok later falls in love with Lot's widow, who is
killed by her son Gaheris. Gaheris and Gawain later murder Lamerok.

Tor Bastard son of Pellanor who is dubbed a knight by King Arthur and later promoted to the Round Table.

Bagdemagus A minor knight who is angry when Tor is admitted to the Round Table. He leaves the court, intent on proving
his worth. He finds Merlin in the cave, but Merlin tells him to ride on.

Royns of North Wales A powerful king who vanquishes the eleven kings who are hostile to Arthur. He is killed by Balyn
and Balan.

Nero King Royns' brother, who is out to avenge his brother's death. An ally of King Lot's.

The Lady of the Lake The woman who gives Arthur his new sword, after he loses it in a fight with Pellanor. It belonged to
her lover, who was killed his own brother. She then takes the sword to Lady Lyle of Avilon, who misused it.

Lady Lyle of Avilon A woman who wears a sword and scabbard at all times; she searches for the best and hardiest man in
the kingdom to pull it out. Sir Balyn is that man.

Balyn He pulls out the Lady of Avilon's sword, and then beheads the Lady of the Lake, who killed his mother. This act
loses Arthur's respect for Balyn. He kills Launceor and Launceor's lady, and he kills Garlon. He is also called The Knight of
the Two Swords, and he both kills and is killed by his brother, Balan.

Balan Sir Balyn's brother.

Launceor of Ireland One of Arthur's knights; he sets out after Balyn to avenge the Lady of the Lake's death, but is killed by
him, instead.

Mark A relative of Launceor's who wants to avenge his death. Merlin tells King Mark that Launcelot du Lake and Tristam
(Mark's nephew) will one day fight the greatest battle ever fought between two knights. Mark's unchecked jealousy of
Tristam is his downfall.

Bodwyne Mark's brother and a noble fighter whom Mark murders him in a fit of jealousy. Bodwyne's child, Alexander,
grows up to be a knight who seeks revenge on Mark, but Mark is able to kill him first.

Garlon An invisible knight who kills other knights; Garlon lives with King Pellam, his brother. Balyn kills Garlon.

Pellam Garlon's brother; Pellam fights with Balyn to avenge Garlon's death. Having lost his sword, Balyn uses a spear to
fight, and when he does, Pellam's castle falls, killing everyone except Pellam and Balyn. Merlin later reveals that the spear
was used to kill Christ and predicts that Pellam will not be whole again until Galahad heals him in the Grail Quest. Pellam
is also called the Maimed King.

Guinevere Arthur's wife and Launcelot's lover. Guinevere encourages moral and chivalrous behavior from the knights, and
she dearly loves and is loved by both Arthur and Launcelot.

Laudegreaunce Guinevere's father, who gives Arthur the Round Table.

Laucelot du Lake Ban's son, who is considered the greatest knight in the world and remains devoted to Guinevere
throughout his life. Because of his deep friendship with Tristam, Launcelot gives Tristam his castle, Joyous Gard, so that
Tristam can live there with Isode in peace. Launcelot is later tricked into sleeping with Elayne, who bears his son,
Galahad, the celebrated knight who succeeds in the Grail Quest. As a result of his affair, Guinevere banishes Launcelot
from Camelot, and he goes half-mad with grief. Elayne arranges for his healing by the Grail, and Launcelot is welcomed
back to Camelot.

Elayne Pellas' daughter who bears Launcelot's son, Galahad.

Galahad Elayne's and Launcelot's son. Galahad fills the Sege Perilous, the seat at the Round Table that no man has been
worthy enough to fill. He also pulls the sword from the floating stone, thus gaining the title of the best knight in the world
but also accepting the sword's curse that it will later cause a grievous wound. Galahad is the knight who achieves the
Grail Quest.

Melias A knight who rides with Galahad.

Tristam (Tristan) Son of King Melyodas de Lyones and the sister of King Mark of Cornwall; his name means "sorrowful-
born." He kills Marhault to free his uncle from a debt owed to King Angwyssh of Ireland. He then falls in love with Isode
(Isolde), Angwyssh's daughter, for whom he fights Palomydes. Isode who later marries Tristam's uncle Mark, although he
and Isode remain lovers. Also known as The Knight with the Black Shield when sent into exile by Mark, Tristam fights and
beats many of Arthur's knights. Through a series of tricks and misunderstandings, he fights Launcelot beside the old tomb
of Lanceor, where Merlin earlier prophesied that the two greatest knights and greatest friends would duel. They
recognize each other and stop fighting; Lancelot takes Tristam back to Camelot, where he is made a knight at the Round
Table.

Palomydes Isode's suitor, whom Tristam defeats over and over. They are imprisoned together, along with Dynadin.
Palomydes later protects King Mark when no one else will, although he, too, soon becomes disgusted with Mark.
Palomydes avenges the death of the king of the Red City and eventually befriends Launcelot and Tristam.

Andret Tristram's cousin, who sides with Mark.

Nineve A maiden brought by Pellanore into court. Merlin falls in love with her, but she refuses him. She does, however,
learn much of his magical secrets and kills him by magically sealing him in a cave. She is also called the Damsel of the
Lake.

Pellas King Pellam's son. Nineve puts a spell on him, and they live happily together.

King Damas A cowardly king who seizes knights and tries to force them to fight against his brother.

Ywain Morgan le Fay's son; he keeps her from killing her husband, King Uriens. He and Gawain are close friends. Arthur
banishes Ywain from Camelot, but he later welcomes him back. On the Grail Quest, Gawain unintentionally kills Ywain.

Manessen Accolon's cousin, whom Morgan le Fay saves from an execution.

Marhault A man who is said to scorn all women. In a tournament with Gawain and Ywain, he is valiant.

Cador A knight at the Round Table who relishes honorable wars. He travels with Launcelot to take Roman prisoners to
Paris.

Gains A knight at Emperor Lucius' court who is beheaded by Gawain after mocking him.

Priamus A Saracen knight who fights Gawain and aids the knights as they fight the Roman soldiers.

Aunowre A sorceress who captures Arthur and tries to destroy him when he remains faithful to Guinevere.
Sir La Cote Male Tale (The Knight with the Ugly Coat) This man in a tattered coat saves Guinevere from a lion, and he is
knighted for his bravery.

Damsel Meledysaunt (Ugly-Talking) A young woman who constantly mocks others, she is scolded by Launcelot and, as a
result, changes her behavior. He renames her Damsel Beau-Pensaunt (Beautiful of Thought).

Dynadin A knight who is thrown in prison with Tristam and Palomydes.

Evelake (Mordrayns) A four-hundred-year-old wounded knight whose prays to remain alive until he sees the knight who
will achieve the Grail Quest. When he embraces Galahad, he dies.

Pinel A knight who tries to poison Gawain to avenge Lamerok's murder.

Lady of Astalot A maiden in love with Launcelot; he wears her token of love on his sleeve because he is trying to disguise
himself. She dies of grief when Launcelot leaves her.

Lavine The brother of the Lady of Astalot; he fights on Launcelot's side.

Urry A knight who is healed from his wounds by Launcelot; Urry pledges his devotion to Launcelot.

Melliagaunce A knight who lusts after Guinevere and kidnaps her. He is later killed by Launcelot.

Lucan and Bedivere The last two knights left standing with Arthur in his battle against Mordred.

Book Summary

Le Morte d'Arthur tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights at the Round Table. Arthur, who is son of King Uther
Pendragon but was raised by another family, takes his rightful place as king when, as a boy, he is able to pull the sword
called Excalibur from the stone. Although he rules wisely and is counseled by Merlin the magician, Arthur makes enemies
of other kings and is often at war.

When Arthur marries Genevere, her father gives Arthur the Round Table, at which 150 men can sit. Genevere, who is
often present at the convening of the Round Table, acts as a moral compass for the knights, rewarding knights who
behave well and chastising those who choose poorly. Malory specifically relates the stories of Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, and Sir
Pellanor as a means of introducing the concept of chivalry.

Arthur is nearly betrayed by his sister Morgan le Fay, but he is helped by Nineve, a sorceress who learned her magic
powers from Merlin before killing him. Arthur then fights the Romans when Emperor Lucius of Rome demands that Arthur
bow to him. Although the war requires several battles, Arthur and his knights win and return to Guinevere and the other
wives. Soon after, Launcelot establishes himself as the greatest knight in all the world by his virtue, loyalty, and bravery. At
the same time, Sir Gareth, Gawain's brother, proves valiant in his adventures.

Tristam (also known as Tristan), who is son of King Melyodas de Lyones and the sister of King Mark of Cornwall, is then
introduced, and his adventures unfold. He kills Sir Marhault to free his uncle from a debt owed to King Angwyssh of
Ireland, and then falls in love with Isode (also known as Isolde), Angwyssh's daughter. Isode marries Tristam's uncle Mark,
but Tristam and Isode remain lovers. Tristam is exiled by Mark, which means he can no longer use his true identity; thus,
he fights as The Knight with the Black Shield. Tristam duels and beats many of Arthur's knights, but is eventually thrown in
prison and becomes ill. He escapes and eventually meets and fights Launcelot in a duel predicted by Merlin. They
become the best of friends.

Launcelot, who is in love with and completely loyal to Guinevere, rides one day in search of adventure. He kills a dragon,
sees the Grail, and is tricked into lying with Pellas' daughter Elayne, with whom he has a son, Galahad. Guinevere, upon
hearing of the affair, has Launcelot banished from court; Launcelot then wanders from place to place in his grief. Elayne,
through her father, heals Launcelot through the Grail, and he eventually returns joyously to Camelot and the Round Table.

Launcelot introduces his son, Galahad, to the court, and Galahad takes the Sege Perilous, the seat at the Round Table
that no knight has been worthy enough to fill. Galahad also draws the sword from the floating stone, establishing him as
the best knight in the world, but also accepting the sword's curse that it will later cause a grievous wound.

Most of the knights then set out separately on Grail Quest. During the Quest, Launcelot, Percival, and Bors experience
deep religious conversion, while Ector and Gawain are told by a hermit that they are not pure enough to achieve the Grail
Quest. Galahad, Percival, and Bors meet up and continue the Grail Quest, but they are briefly parted. Launcelot and
Galahad continue to the Grail at Castle Corbenic, where Launcelot is shown to be unworthy of the Quest. When Sir
Evelake dies after his embrace with Galahad, Galahad is identified as the knight who will achieve the Grail Quest.
Galahad is made a king who dies shortly thereafter, while Percival becomes a hermit. Bors returns to King Arthur's court.

Launcelot also returns to the court and continues his love for Guinevere. After a series of trials, Guinevere is convinced of
Launcelot's love for her. Although Arthur knows of the affair and overlooks it, he is prompted by Aggravain and Mordred
(Arthur's son by Lot's wife) to take action; Guinevere is sentenced to be burned at the stake. Launcelot rescues her and
takes her to his castle, Joyous Gard, but in the battle, Launcelot kills Gareth and Gaheris, who are at the execution but
are unarmed. Launcelot returns Guinevere to Arthur, but Launcelot is banished, along with his followers. Gawain swears
vengeance for the death of his brothers and insists that Arthur attack Launcelot. Arthur agrees, but while Arthur and
Gawain are away, Mordred makes himself King of England, claims Guinevere as his wife, and attacks Arthur's army.
Gawain is mortally wounded and warns Arthur in a dream not to continue the battle. Through a misunderstanding,
however, the battle continues; Arthur kills Mordred but is mortally wounded by him, as Merlin has prophesied.

Launcelot and Guinevere both die of illness soon after, and Constantine becomes king. The Round Table is disbursed.

Summary and Analysis Sonnet 69

Summary

Although the youth's enemies praise his appearance, they all but slander him in their private meetings. Contrasting the
youth's outward beauty "Those parts of thee that the world's eye doth view" to his deeds, the poet, in a rare display
of independence, criticizes his young friend. His argument is well-founded: Because the youth associates with these
reckless and wasteful men who slander him behind his back, he must assume their vices. Recalling Sonnet 54, in which
the poet discusses the beauty and sweet odor of roses, the poet asks the youth why he no longer has the rose's sweet
smell. Surprisingly, his own answer is curt and unsympathetic: "But why thy odor matcheth not thy show, / The soil is this,
that thou dost common grow." Because the youth associates with disreputable persons, he is becoming disreputable
himself, more like a smelly weed than a rose.

CANTERBURY TALES Character List

The Pilgrims

The Narrator - The narrator makes it quite clear that he is also a character in his book. Although he is called Chaucer, we
should be wary of accepting his words and opinions as Chaucers own. In the General Prologue, the narrator presents
himself as a gregarious and nave character. Later on, the Host accuses him of being silent and sullen. Because the
narrator writes down his impressions of the pilgrims from memory, whom he does and does not like, and what he chooses
and chooses not to remember about the characters, tells us as much about the narrators own prejudices as it does about
the characters themselves.
The Knight - The first pilgrim Chaucer describes in the General Prologue, and the teller of the first tale. The Knight
represents the ideal of a medieval Christian man-at-arms. He has participated in no less than fifteen of the great crusades
of his era. Brave, experienced, and prudent, the narrator greatly admires him.
Read an in-depth analysis of The Knight.

The Wife of Bath - Bath is an English town on the Avon River, not the name of this womans husband. Though she is a
seamstress by occupation, she seems to be a professional wife. She has been married five times and had many other
affairs in her youth, making her well practiced in the art of love. She presents herself as someone who loves marriage and
sex, but, from what we see of her, she also takes pleasure in rich attire, talking, and arguing. She is deaf in one ear and
has a gap between her front teeth, which was considered attractive in Chaucers time. She has traveled on pilgrimages to
Jerusalem three times and elsewhere in Europe as well.
Read an in-depth analysis of The Wife of Bath.

The Pardoner - Pardoners granted papal indulgencesreprieves from penance in exchange for charitable donations to
the Church. Many pardoners, including this one, collected profits for themselves. In fact, Chaucers Pardoner excels in
fraud, carrying a bag full of fake relicsfor example, he claims to have the veil of the Virgin Mary. The Pardoner has long,
greasy, yellow hair and is beardless. These characteristics were associated with shiftiness and gender ambiguity in
Chaucers time. The Pardoner also has a gift for singing and preaching whenever he finds himself inside a church.
Read an in-depth analysis of The Pardoner.

The Miller - Stout and brawny, the Miller has a wart on his nose and a big mouth, both literally and figuratively. He
threatens the Hosts notion of propriety when he drunkenly insists on telling the second tale. Indeed, the Miller seems to
enjoy overturning all conventions: he ruins the Hosts carefully planned storytelling order; he rips doors off hinges; and he
tells a tale that is somewhat blasphemous, ridiculing religious clerks, scholarly clerks, carpenters, and women.
The Prioress - Described as modest and quiet, this Prioress (a nun who is head of her convent) aspires to have exquisite
taste. Her table manners are dainty, she knows French (though not the French of the court), she dresses well, and she is
charitable and compassionate.

The Monk - Most monks of the Middle Ages lived in monasteries according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, which
demanded that they devote their lives to work and prayer. This Monk cares little for the Rule; his devotion is to hunting
and eating. He is large, loud, and well clad in hunting boots and furs.
The Friar - Roaming priests with no ties to a monastery, friars were a great object of criticism in Chaucers time. Always
ready to befriend young women or rich men who might need his services, the friar actively administers the sacraments in
his town, especially those of marriage and confession. However, Chaucers worldly Friar has taken to accepting bribes.
The Summoner - The Summoner brings persons accused of violating Church law to ecclesiastical court. This Summoner
is a lecherous man whose face is scarred by leprosy. He gets drunk frequently, is irritable, and is not particularly qualified
for his position. He spouts the few words of Latin he knows in an attempt to sound educated.
The Host - The leader of the group, the Host is large, loud, and merry, although he possesses a quick temper. He
mediates among the pilgrims and facilitates the flow of the tales. His title of host may be a pun, suggesting both an
innkeeper and the Eucharist, or Holy Host.
The Parson - The only devout churchman in the company, the Parson lives in poverty, but is rich in holy thoughts and
deeds. The pastor of a sizable town, he preaches the Gospel and makes sure to practice what he preaches. He is
everything that the Monk, the Friar, and the Pardoner are not.
The Squire - The Knights son and apprentice. The Squire is curly-haired, youthfully handsome, and loves dancing and
courting.
The Clerk - The Clerk is a poor student of philosophy. Having spent his money on books and learning rather than on fine
clothes, he is threadbare and wan. He speaks little, but when he does, his words are wise and full of moral virtue.
The Man of Law - A successful lawyer commissioned by the king. He upholds justice in matters large and small and
knows every statute of Englands law by heart.
The Manciple - A manciple was in charge of getting provisions for a college or court. Despite his lack of education, this
Manciple is smarter than the thirty lawyers he feeds.
The Merchant - The Merchant trades in furs and other cloths, mostly from Flanders. He is part of a powerful and wealthy
class in Chaucers society.
The Shipman - Brown-skinned from years of sailing, the Shipman has seen every bay and river in England, and exotic
ports in Spain and Carthage as well. He is a bit of a rascal, known for stealing wine while the ships captain sleeps.
The Physician - The Physician is one of the best in his profession, for he knows the cause of every malady and can cure
most of them. Though the Physician keeps himself in perfect physical health, the narrator calls into question the
Physicians spiritual health: he rarely consults the Bible and has an unhealthy love of financial gain.
The Franklin - The word franklin means free man. In Chaucers society, a franklin was neither a vassal serving a lord
nor a member of the nobility. This particular franklin is a connoisseur of food and wine, so much so that his table remains
laid and ready for food all day.
The Reeve - A reeve was similar to a steward of a manor, and this reeve performs his job shrewdlyhis lord never loses
so much as a ram to the other employees, and the vassals under his command are kept in line. However, he steals from
his master.
The Plowman - The Plowman is the Parsons brother and is equally good-hearted. A member of the peasant class, he
pays his tithes to the Church and leads a good Christian life.
The Guildsmen - Listed together, the five Guildsmen appear as a unit. English guilds were a combination of labor unions
and social fraternities: craftsmen of similar occupations joined together to increase their bargaining power and live
communally. All five Guildsmen are clad in the livery of their brotherhood.
The Cook - The Cook works for the Guildsmen. Chaucer gives little detail about him, although he mentions a crusty sore
on the Cooks leg.
The Yeoman - The servant who accompanies the Knight and the Squire. The narrator mentions that his dress and
weapons suggest he may be a forester.
The Second Nun - The Second Nun is not described in the General Prologue, but she tells a saints life for her tale.
The Nuns Priest - Like the Second Nun, the Nuns Priest is not described in the General Prologue. His story of
Chanticleer, however, is well crafted and suggests that he is a witty, self-effacing preacher.
Characters from the Five Tales Analyzed in This SparkNote

THE KNIGHTS TALE

Theseus - A great conqueror and the duke of Athens in the Knights Tale. The most powerful ruler in the story, he is often
called upon to make the final judgment, but he listens to others pleas for help.
Palamon - Palamon is one of the two imprisoned Theban soldier heroes in the Knights Tale. Brave, strong, and sworn to
everlasting friendship with his cousin Arcite, Palamon falls in love with the fair maiden Emelye, which brings him into
conflict with Arcite. Though he loses the tournament against Arcite, he gets Emelye in the end.
Arcite - The sworn brother to Palamon, Arcite, imprisoned with Palamon in the tower in the Knights Tale, falls equally
head over heels in love with Emelye. He gets released from the tower early and wins Emelyes hand in a tournament, but
then dies when a divinely fated earthquake causes his horse to throw him.
Emelye - Emelye is the sister to Hippolyta, Theseuss domesticated Amazon queen in the Knights Tale. Fair-haired and
glowing, we first see Emelye as Palamon does, through a window. Although she is the object of both Palamons and
Arcites desire, she would rather spend her life unmarried and childless. Nevertheless, when Arcite wins the tournament,
she readily pledges herself to him.
Egeus - Theseuss father. Egeus gives Theseus the advice that helps him convince Palamon and Emelye to end their
mourning of Arcite and get married.

THE MILLERS TALE

Nicholas - In the Millers Tale, Nicholas is a poor astronomy student who boards with an elderly carpenter, John, and the
carpenters too-young wife, Alisoun. Nicholas dupes John and sleeps with Alisoun right under Johns nose, but Absolon,
the foppish parish clerk, gets Nicholas in the end.
Alisoun - Alisoun is the sexy young woman married to the carpenter in the Millers Tale. She is bright and sweet like a
small bird, and dresses in a tantalizing styleher clothes are embroidered inside and outside, and she laces her boots
high. She willingly goes to bed with Nicholas, but she has only harsh words and obscenities for Absolon.
Absolon - The local parish clerk in the Millers Tale, Absolon is a little bit foolish and more than a little bit vain. He wears
red stockings underneath his floor-length church gown, and his leather shoes are decorated like the fanciful stained-glass
windows in a cathedral. He curls his hair, uses breath fresheners, and fancies Alisoun.
John - The dim-witted carpenter to whom Alisoun is married and with whom Nicholas boards. John is jealous and
possessive of his wife. He constantly berates Nicholas for looking into Gods pryvetee, but when Nicholas offers John
the chance to share his knowledge, John quickly accepts. He gullibly believes Nicholass pronouncement that a second
flood is coming, which allows Nicholas to sleep with Johns wife.
THE WIFE OF BATHS PROLOGUE AND TALE

The First Three Husbands - The Wife of Bath says that her first three husbands were good because they were rich and
old. She could order them around, use sex to get what she wanted, and trick them into believing lies.
The Fourth Husband - The Wife of Bath says comparatively little about her fourth husband. She loved him, but he was a
reveler who had a mistress. She had fun singing and dancing with him, but tried her best to make him jealous. She fell in
love with her fifth husband, Jankyn, while she was still married to her fourth.
Jankyn - The Wife of Baths fifth husband, Jankyn, was a twenty-year-old former student, with whom the Wife was madly
in love. His stories of wicked wives frustrated her so much that one night she ripped a page out of his book, only to
receive a deafening smack on her ear in return.
The Knight - Arthurs young knight rapes a maiden, and, to avoid the punishment of death, he is sent by the queen on a
quest to learn about submission to women. Once he does so, and shows that he has learned his lesson by letting his old
ugly wife make a decision, she rewards him by becoming beautiful and submissive.
Read an in-depth analysis of The Knight.

The Old Woman - The old woman supplies the young knight with the answer to his question, in exchange for his promise
to do whatever she wants. When she tells him he must marry her, the knight begrudgingly agrees, and when he allows her
to choose whether she would like to be beautiful and unfaithful or ugly and faithful, she rewards him by becoming both
beautiful and faithful.
Arthurs Queen - Arthurs queen, presumably Guinevere, is interesting because she wields most of the power. When
Arthurs knight rapes a maiden, he turns the knight over to his queen allows her to decide what to do with him.
THE PARDONERS TALE

The Three Rioters - These are the three protagonists of the Pardoners Tale. All three indulge in and represent the vices
against which the Pardoner has railed in his Prologue: Gluttony, Drunkeness, Gambling, and Swearing. These traits define
the three and eventually lead to their downfall. The Rioters at first appear like personified vices, but it is their belief that a
personified conceptin this case, Deathis a real person that becomes the root cause of their undoing.
The Old Man - In the Pardoners Tale, the three Rioters encounter a very old man whose body is completely covered
except for his face. Before the old man tells the Rioters where they can find Death, one of the Rioters rashly demands
why the old man is still alive. The old man answers that he is doomed to walk the earth for eternity. He has been
interpreted as Death itself, or as Cain, punished for fratricide by walking the earth forever; or as the Wandering Jew, a
man who refused to let Christ rest at his house when Christ proceeded to his crucifixion, and who was therefore doomed
to roam the world, through the ages, never finding rest.
THE NUNS PRIESTS TALE

Chanticleer - The heroic rooster of the Nuns Priests Tale, Chanticleer has seven hen-wives and is the most handsome
cock in the barnyard. One day, he has a prophetic dream of a fox that will carry him away. Chanticleer is also a bit vain
about his clear and accurate crowing voice, and he unwittingly allows a fox to flatter him out of his liberty.
Pertelote - Chanticleers favorite wife in the Nuns Priests Tale. She is his equal in looks, manners, and talent. When
Chanticleer dreams of the fox, he awakens her in the middle of the night, begging for an interpretation, but Pertelote will
have none of it, calling him foolish. When the fox takes him away, she mourns him in classical Greek fashion, burning
herself and wailing.
The Fox - The orange fox, interpreted by some as an allegorical figure for the devil, catches Chanticleer the rooster
through flattery. Eventually, Chanticleer outwits the fox by encouraging him to boast of his deceit to his pursuers. When
the fox opens his mouth, Chanticleer escapes.