Explanation:
In lines 169-560 of the General Prologue of the Caterbury Tales (CT), Chaucer tells of some of the fellow pilgrim that are with him on his way to Caterbury. These pilgrims include the Monk, the Friar, the Merchant, the Clerk, the Man of Law, the Franklin, the Cook, the Shipman, the Physican, the Wife of Bath, the Parson, the Plowman, and the Miller. Each of these figure symbolize a different sterotypical person in the Medieval period, however, Chaucer fully develops these characters in these line and gives his audience a clear picture of who they are.
The begin, the Monk, unlike typical monks of his time is greatly fond of hunting. He loves hunting so much that he has decked out one of his horses with jewerly and fancy bells. For a monk who is suppose to swear off the finer things of life, the Monk in CT lavishes in these things. Moreover, the Monk loves new traditions and is okay with getting rid of older customs; he doesn't like studying in dusty monastries but love riding his horse across the countryside. He also love eating and his plumb and happy looking.
The Friar is described as very devote. He is loved by everyone in his parish as he has married many of them and is also welcoming for hearing peoples confessions. However, he isn't above taking a little money for his confessors if they were willing. He loves to sing and play instruments. He typically follows where the money is and is welcome to take up any ecclessiastical job if people are willing to pay him for it. The Friar wears expensive clothing and clean (not typical of Medieval friars who were know for not bathing and wearing old and dirty clothing in service of God).
Briefly, Chaucer mentions the Merchant who is a wealth trader of goods. He knows all about the trade routes in England and Chaucer calls him a man with debt who is fair in his dealings with others.
The Clerk is a scholar who is young and devoted to his learning. He is skinny, like he has no money for food and has been reading all day. His horse is also small and inexpensive. He spends all his money on books. He is a every moral man and doesn't say much to anyone else.
The Man of Law is very dedicated to his work. He is very judicial and owns many landholdings. He keeps diligent records of all of his doings. He knows the law by heart and can quickly write up any legal document.
The Franklin is known for his love of fine food. Everyone knows him as the most hospitable person in his county. He loves fine wine and bread, pies and meat, etc. He schedules his mealtimes around the seasons and he will, on occassion, get angry with his cook if the food he is served is not up to standard. He also has a dinning table in his house and invites many worthy guest to eat with him.
Next is the Cook, who (all you need to know) has a large wound on his leg which never heals. He cooks this soupy, meat special stews. The sore of his leg is referenced right before Chaucer tells of the Cooks special "white pudding" - its implied that the cook takes the pus from his wound and makes pudding out of it. So gross.
The Shipman is envisioned like a Medieval pirate. He has weathered any condition on sea and orders his men around his ship. He has brought French wine with him on the pilgrimage and already seems to be drunk.
The Physican is really into astrology and he can chart any of the planet and star movements in the sky. He knows the cause of any sickness and how to remedy it. Chaucer names all of the great minds that the Physican has studied and they range from mathematicans to philosophers, however he doesn't know much about the Bible.
The Wife of Bath is dresses in fine red clothing and she is described as death in one ear. The WoB had five husband but is now single. She has been to the Holy Land many times and had traveled arcoss Europe. The WoB give great love advice and is willing to hear anyone who needs her wisdom. She is described as knowing "the old dance" of love.
The Parson is a great many of the faith. He has few possession and, what he does have, he most likely give out to his parishioners. He is loving to those who are members of his parish and is slow to cast judgement or sin upon them. He is gentle and his directs the members of his parish (his sheep) with gentliness and kindness.
The Plowman is a good laborer. He loves God and his neighbor equally. He will even do work for free if he knows if it will please others and God. He always pays his tithe to the church.
Finally, Chaucer describes the Miller. The Miller is a very muscular man who loves wrestling and will always win a fight. He also breaks down doors that he enters. His most defining feature is his wart on his nose. Everything about him is large; his nose, his mouth, his nostrils. He also cheats people out of their money and taking a little of something and comanding that they pay him more. He brought his bagpipes with him on the trip.
