The Nun's Priest's Tale : Characters
The Nun's Priest's Tale is a notable literary work by Geoffrey Chaucer. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Nun's Priest's Tale.
Characters
Character List with Features:
- Chaunticleer (Chauntecleer): Proud, noble, talented rooster with a beautiful red comb, black beak, and golden feathers. Best singer in the land, wise yet easily flattered, fond of debate and literary references. He has seven wives but loves his hen Pertelote.
- Pertelote: A hen of exceptional beauty, courtesy, wisdom, and gentleness, Chauntecleer’s beloved wife, known for her sharp mind and debate skills, dismissive of Chauntecleer’s dream fears, practical, and logical.
- Sir Russell (The Fox): Sly, cunning, deceptive. Skilled at flattery and trickery, he manipulates Chauntecleer with praise, embodying the danger of false flattery.
- The Widow: Humble, hardworking, modest, patient, living a simple life with two daughters in a small and simple cottage. (She owns three large sows, three cows, a sheep named Malle, and a noble rooster named Chaunticleer.)
Minor Characters
- The Widow’s Two Daughters: They help their mother with housework. They live a quiet, simple, moral life. They represent humble rural virtue and peace.
Other Farm Animals (Background Characters)
- Three Sows – The widow’s pigs, part of her small property.
- Three Cows – Also part of her humble farm life.
- A Sheep Named Malle (or Molly) – Mentioned to show the small, self-sufficient nature of the widow’s household.
Narrator
- The Nun’s Priest – The storyteller himself. He tells this tale to entertain the pilgrims. Through him, Chaucer shows wisdom, humour, and moral insight. The Host praises him at the end. He calls him strong, lively, and full of spirit. He mentions him as John/Sir John.