The Canterbury Tales were written sometime between 1386 and 1400 by Geoffrey Chaucer. Chaucer came from a family that ascended from the merchant class to aristocracy within three generations. Although he wrote poetry he was never known for it. Instead, he was known for his official job in the courts. It is possible the poem is unfinished because the tales are supposed to recall the accounts of pilgrims coming to and leaving Canterbury, which would add up to ten, but there’s only twenty-four stories. During this timeframe, literature is expanding from just religious works to including more popular works. The Canterbury Tales entails one broad frame tale, with smaller tales that branch out from it. It is written in the English vernacular in iambic pentameter with many rhymed couplets. The story begins as any story typically does: by describing the setting. The April showers have signaled the beginning or spring in England as many make their pilgrimage to the city of Canterbury. Then the poem continues into the first story, the story of the knight. The knight is exactly what a knight should be: he is humble, noble, and honorable. The narrator describes him as very experienced at war and that he has remained loyal to his lord’s over the years. Next, Chaucer transitions into describing the squire. He is the son of the knight yet these two characters contrast each other in many ways. While the knight seems stern and traditional, his son is youthful and spends his time singing and dancing. Then there’s the Yemen, who carries around many weapons since he is an independent commoner who works as a knight’s servant. After the Yemen Chaucer introduces the Prioresse. Through vivid descriptions there is a sense that she is more concerned with what society thinks of her and how she appears rather than her religious duties as a nun. She is very idealistic and wears a broach that reads ‘love conquers all.’ Unlike the Prioresse, the monk does not care what society thinks of him as he spends most of his time hunting. The theme of corruption in the church continues as the Friar uses the church to his benefit, using people’s money to spoil himself. Then there is the merchant who sits a little too high on his horse than he should, especially considering he’s in debt. Also, low on money is the clerk, who is a philosophy student at Oxford. While the clerk is very arrogant, the Sergeant of the Law is very humble and quiet. All these characters are described very well in a way that allows readers very easily to understand the true nature of each character.