The Canterbury Tales
“The Squire”
Christoph Hohler
1. Short introduction
2. Important topics of the Canterbury Tales
3. Explanation of important terms
4. Translation of “the squire” (ll. 79 -100)
5. How is the squire presented?
1. Short introduction
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Written by Geoffrey Chaucer (1386-1400)
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About a group of pilgrims
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They met at the Tabard Inn in Southwark near London
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Journey to Canterbury to the grave of the martyr Saint Thomas
Becket
The host of the tavern decides that every pilgrim should tell two
tales on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back, in
order to entertain each other on the trip
In the “Prologue” the narrator describes each pilgrim
Different personalities, from different layers of society (e.g.
knight, nun, yeoman)
Could be interpreted as mirror of the medieval English society,
but fictional
The tone of the narrator is often satirical
2. Important topics and themes
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Christianity in general
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Because they are on pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral
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As some of the pilgrims belong to church orders, some tales
deal with religious issues
Physiognomy
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Many physical descriptions especially in the prologue
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In medieval times, physiognomy was believed to reveal
people’s character traits
Courtly love
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A medieval concept
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Love between people who belong to noble families
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They are not married
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Usually secret relationship
3. Explanation of important terms
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Squyer (l.79)
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One who attended a knight and bore his lance and
shield
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Usually the eldest son of a knight
Bachelor (l.80)
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A young aspirant to knighthood, who has to win his
spurs before he becomes a knight
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Flanders, Artois and Picardy (l. 86):
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Provinces in what is now Southern Belgium and
northern France
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Claimed by England in the hundred years war
(1337-1453)
►The squyer seems to have war experience
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Nightingale (l.98):
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A bird which sings at day and night
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Bird of love
► Metaphor for the squire´s lifestyle
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Juste (l.96)
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Joust: A combat between two mounted knights who
use lances
4. Translation...
With him ther was his sone, a yong squyer,
With him was his son, a young squire,
A lovyere , and a lusty bacheler,
a lover and a lusty bachelor.
With lokkes crulle, as they were leyd in presse.
His curly hair was fixed as it was done by a press.
Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse
I guess he was about 20 years old.
Of his stature he was of evene lengthe,
In terms of stature he was of an average height,
And wonderly deliver, and greet of strengthe
amazingly active and of great stength
80
...Translation...
And he had been sometyme in chivachye
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And he had been on expeditions (on horseback)
In Flaundres, in Artoys and Picardye,
to Flanders, Artois and Picardie
And born him wel, as in so litel space,
and he behaved well, considering the short time he served,
in hope to stonden in his lady grace,
in hope of gaining his lady’s favor.
Embrouded was he, as it were a mede
He was embroidered like a meadow
Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and rede
full of fresh flowers which were white and red
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...Translation...
Singinge he was, or floytinge
He sung or fluted and
He was as fresh as is the month of May.
he was fresh like the month of May
Short was his goune, with sleves longe and wyde
His robe was short with long and wide sleeves,
Wel coude he sitte on hors, and faire ryde.
He could sit well on a horse and ride.
He coude songes make and wel endyte,
He could compose songs and also words,
Juste and eek daunce, and wel purtreye and wryte
fight and dance and draw and write
.
95
...Translation
So hote he lovede, that by nightertale,
He sleep namore than doth a nightingale.
He was a passionate lover so that he did not sleep more than a nightingale at
night.
Curteys he was, lowly, and servisable,
He was courteous, humble and able
And carf biforn his fader at the table.
And carved in presence of his father at the table.
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5. How is the squire described in the prologue?
What image does the narrator create?
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“The squire”:
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Son of a knight, who is taught by
his father
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To ride, use weapons, and to
behave properly
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In order to become a knight
Appearance
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Strong
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Fashionable clothing and hair
The squire embodies features of a
typical romantic hero:
- He is courtly, but experienced in war
- Fights in order to gain his lady´s favor
- Has artistic abilities: plays the flute, sings, writes and draws