Extra Reading: Canterbury Tales Prolog

For the extra reading this week, I read:
The General Prolog, Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, retold by Tony Kline
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This is the very beginning of the Canterbury Tales when everything is laid out. It is told that Chaucer, the narrator, meets up with twenty-nine pilgrims on their way to Canterbury and they accept him into the group. Then, the pilgrim are introduced extensively. The first to be mentioned is the knight, who is traveling with his son, a squire. There are also clergy members such as a monk, nuns, and priests.
Some of these, Chaucer seems to esteem, others, he chastises, particularly members of the clergy who live lavishly.

Once they are introduced, it is proposed they have a storytelling competition to pass the time on their journey. They will tell two stories on the way there and two on the way back. The winner will get a free meal when they return to their starting place. Lastly, the knight is chosen as the first storyteller.

Here is a picture of the cathedral in Canterbury, where they are heading:

Photo Credit: wikimedia

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Week 3 Wikipedia Trail

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