EGolightly-The Host

In the general prologue, the Host made great hospitality to the travelers, giving them good food and wine. He is described to be good friends with his company, which include the Arcite, The Wife of Bath, Griselda, Theseus, Emily, Archdeacon, Friar, Yeoman, and a few other characters. The Host decides to go on a pilgrimage with these travelers to Canterbury, and decides to make the trip there interesting. He makes up a storytelling game, where on the way there, and on the way back each travel will tell two stories of their past adventures. That makes for four tales from each traveler. The Host pays for all their provisions, and is decided to be the judge of the stories. At the very beginning of the journey, everyone draws straws, and the knight draws the short straw first, and they all set off as he begins the first story. He wants to make a storytelling game, where on the way to Canterbury each tells of past adventures, 2 tales, and on the way back as well.

The Host’s specific occupation is being a host of Tabard Inn for the travelers His specific occupation tells us that this time period had hosts, kind of like high class hotel owners who converse with their customers. His social standing is upper middle class, as he is wealthy and provides food and other necessities and provisions for the travelers. His day to day life most likely consists of being merry and helping travelers on their pilgrimages. The Host also acts as a guide along the way to Canterbury, organizing the storytelling and acting as a judge to the other traveler's stories.

Harry Bailey is informed, merry, and charming. He is also pompous and emotional. These character traits are often seen in the characters of comedy genres. The first two lines of the prologue say he is impressive with large prominent eyes. The third line describes his personality, a good businessman, bold of speech, wise, and well mannered and merry.

The details about the host, Harry Bailey, infer that he is the guide along the way. He is the organizer of the group, and helps to complete it. He prepares food and drink, wakes them in the morning, "herds them like chickens", and organizes a competitive game to play on the long journey to Canterbury

Chaucer has a high opinion of the host, Chaucer admires the Host, and thinks of him as a very good friend. He describes the host in line 173 as being impressive, line 755 describes him as bold of speech, wise, and well mannered. and line 756 Chaucer describes him as lacking nothing at all to the qualities of a proper man. One of the old English word choices is “myrie” which means merry. All the words describing the host are positive words of praise.

General Prologue

Profession

Character Description

Analysis

Chaucer

References