A Description of Pilgrims in The General Prologue

A Description of Pilgrims in The General Prologue

The General Prologue is one of Chaucer’s interesting artworks in The Canterbury Tales. This is a poem about a fictitious pilgrimage. Chaucer carefully details the description of each pilgrim and gives an integrated sketch of the character under description. These details about each character, such as facial features, clothes, preferred meals, what they say, and type of work, inform the reader about their social rank and the moral and spiritual conditions in such a society (Greenblatt 243). Therefore, it becomes imperative to analyze the clothing of these characters to understand what they mean or represent.

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The General Prologue has many characters, but this discussion will focus on Squier and Yeman (the Yeoman), who accompany the Knight. To begin with, Squier is the Knight’s son. His hair is locked and perfectly curled. His clothes are embroidered like a meadow full of fresh white and red flowers (Greenblatt 245). In addition, his gown is short, with long and wide sleeves. Squier’s attire aligns with his age, which is around twenty years old. Also, his sense of fashion is seemingly inspired by his artwork and literary ambitions: he can dance, draw, write, sing, and flute. Notably, Squier’s clothing represents a lover and a lively bachelor. He hopes to impress his lady with perfectly curled hair and embroidered clothes. Squier’s dress represents his nobility, artwork, freedom to choose what he wears or does, and loving and lively bachelorhood.

The Yeoman is the Knight’s servant. He is in a coat and a green hood. Under his belt is a bright and keen sheaf of peacock arrows that he carries properly (Greenblatt 246). He has an elegant bracer on his wrist, a mighty bow, a sword, a shield, and a dagger as sharp as a spear, and he carries a horn with a green shoulder strap. All these, especially the green hunting horn, suggest he is a forester. Also, his weaponry accessories represent his free will, loyalty, and readiness to guard his master. The Yeoman also wears a bright Christopher medal on his breast, implying that he is a Catholic and seeks protection in this pilgrimage.

Works Cited

Greenblatt, Stephen. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 9th ed., W. W. Norton & Company Ltd., 2012, pp. 243-263.

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A Description of Pilgrims in The General Prologue

In a 150-200 word post, respond to one of the following prompts:
In “The General Prologue,” Geoffrey Chaucer introduces various characters traveling together on this pilgrimage. While Chaucer gives an overview of the characters’ personalities, he also devotes special attention to several characters’ clothing. Pick at least one of the characters in “The General Prologue” and discuss their clothing.
The Knight in “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” comes to learn that what women want above all else is to “Women desire to have sovereignty” over their husbands. How does the theme of her tale connect with the life story that she gives us in her prologue?
Many texts during the Middle Ages were visionary and contemplative. Authors also often blended autobiographical details with religious experiences. What did you find interesting about the writings of either Julian of Norwich or Margery Kempe?