The Host - Faith Deaton

## The Host

### Who was he?

The Character that I have been assigned in regards to the Canterbury Tales is the Host. The Host is the character who is in charge of the inn that the character’s stay in. My character is important because this was the time period that people started traveling around and moving a lot more often. The Host was always there for his guests, making sure they were comfortable and getting whatever they might need. While the Host was an important character because of his occupation and his jolly characteristics, he was of a lower class and not viewed as important in societies standards back then. While Chaucer describes the Host as a large, jolly old man, but what he doesn’t say and what we all assume is that he is after a fun time with the other characters. He acts as the peacemaker and seeks to have fun. I feel that the Host would do well in today’s modern society as a host at a current hotel.

### Understanding The Host in Canterbury Tales

In the time period the Canterbury Tales was written, the way they spoke was different. When reading Canterbury Tales, one might have a hard time when reading it, so let’s break it down. The first few times the Host is mentioned in the prologue in the Canterbury Tales, in lines 747-827, Chaucer describes the Host as a good, cheery man. The next few times he’s mentioned, Chaucer mentions the presence that the Host carries with him. The Host acts as the leader of the group that stays behind the scenes, directing people to share and encouraging others to join. Chaucer also describes the Hist as a big man with big eyes. I almost think that Chaucer is giving us the idea that the Host is nice an innocent. After everything that Chaucer says about the Host, the big part to take away is that the Host is an impressive, jolly man.

### What the Author thinks about the Host

We know about the Host, and we know what Chaucer has written about him as well. But what was going on behind the scenes inside of Chaucer’s head as this story played out? What did he think of the Host? It seems like the Host is Chaucer’s “thinking” character. The “thinking character” is the character that helps us form opinions about the other characters, and the Host’s wrong opinions and interpretations on each of these character’s stories helps us think about what they could really mean. From what I have read, I assume that the Host is a naturally cheery person. I know when I am writing about a character with a cheery disposition, I usually appreciate having a character that always looks on the bright side, and I admire them because of that as well. I feel that Chaucer feels the same way about the Host. I also imagine Chaucer rubbing his hands together laughing to himself thinking, “It’s time, dear Host, to see if their tiny brains can comprehend this!”

## Works Cited

* Shmoop Editorial Team. “The Host in The Canterbury Tales: General Prologue & Frame Story.” Shmoop, Shmoop University, 11 Nov. 2008, www.shmoop.com/canterbury-tales-prologue/the-host.html.
* Study.com, Study.com, https://study.com/academy/lesson/harry-bailly-the-host-in-the-canterbury-tales-character-analysis-description.html
* Chaucer, Geoffery. “Canterbury Tales.” The Canterbury Tales