English 201
C. Knight
An Outline of Chaucer's "General Prologue"
(The function of this outline is to suggest that the "General Prologue" has a general structure that may not be noticeable when readers concentrate on the sequence of individual portraits. The outline is also a useful aid in finding particular sections of the poem.)I. A Prologue to the "Prologue" (lines 1-42)
II. The Military Group
1. The Knight (lines 43-78)
2. The Squire (lines 79-100)
3. The Yeoman (lines 101-117)
III. The Religious Group
4. The Prioress (lines 118-162)
5. Others--The Second Nun, Three (?) Priests (lines
163-164)
6. The Monk (lines 165-207)
7. The Friar (lines 208-271)
IV. Wealth and Knowledge
8. The Merchant (lines 272-286)
9. The Clerk (lines 287-310)
10. The Sergeant of Law [King's lawyer] (lines
311-332)
11. The Franklin [landowner] (lines 333-362)
V. Guildsmen
12. Five Guildsmen [the haberdasher, the carpenter, the
weaver, the dyer, the tapestry-maker] (lines 363-380)
13. Their cook (lines 381-389)
VI. Substantial Citizens
14. The Shipman (lines 390-412)
15. The Doctor (lines 413-446)
16. The Wife of Bath (lines 447-478)
VII. Idealized Portraits
17. The Parson (lines 479-530)
18. The Plowman (lines 531-543)
IX. The Rest
19. The Miller (lines 546-568)
20. The Manciple [collegiate servant] (lines 569-588)
21. The Reeve [servant on an estate] (lines 589-624)
22. The Summoner [summoned people to ecclesiastical
court] (lines 625-670)
23. The Pardoner [sold papal indulgences] (lines
671-716)
X. Epilogue to the "Prologue"
A. Chaucer's Apology (lines 717-748)
B. The Host [Harry Bailly] and his proposal (lines
749-823)
C. The Pilgrimage begins (lines 824-860)