Geoffrey Chaucer — The Canterbury Tales Character Profile

About Geoffrey Chaucer

The poet and narrator figure, played by Pasolini. He observes the pilgrims, listens to their stories, and records them in his book. Unlike the original author, this version embraces the ribald and sexual nature of the tales without moral retraction.

Character Facts

Played by

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Appears in

The Canterbury Tales (1972)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (8)

• Geoffrey Chaucer — Narrative Author — Devil (Franco Citti)

  Chaucer incorporates the devil as a supernatural agent of justice in his recorded tales.

• Geoffrey Chaucer — Social Fellow Traveler — The Pardoner (Derek Deadman)

  Chaucer and the Pardoner share the same social space as part of the pilgrim group.

• Geoffrey Chaucer — Narrative Author — Friar (Nicholas Smith)

  Chaucer documents the friar's corruption and divine punishment as the concluding story.

• Geoffrey Chaucer — Narrative Author — Perkin (Ninetto Davoli)

  Chaucer frames Perkin's chaotic life as a comedic tale within the larger collection.

• Geoffrey Chaucer — Narrative Author — May (Josephine Chaplin)

  Chaucer chronicles May's cunning survival tactics and romantic pursuits.

• Geoffrey Chaucer — Narrative Author — Sir January (Hugh Griffith)

  Chaucer serves as the literary creator documenting Sir January's tragicomic tale.

• Geoffrey Chaucer — Narrative Biographer — The Cook (J.P. Van Dyne)

  Chaucer documents the stories attributed to the Cook, framing Perkin's adventures.

• Geoffrey Chaucer — Narrative Observer — Pilgrim (Orla Pederson)

  Chaucer acts as the chronicler and silent observer of the pilgrims' journey and stories.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of The Canterbury Tales

More characters from The Canterbury Tales

• Sir January (Hugh Griffith)
• The Wife from Bath (Laura Betti)
• Perkin (Ninetto Davoli)
• Devil (Franco Citti)
• The Pardoner (Derek Deadman)
• May (Josephine Chaplin)
• Host of the Tabard (George Bethell Datch)
• Friar (Nicholas Smith)
• The Cook (J.P. Van Dyne)
• Old Man (Alan Webb)
• The Carpenter (Michael Balfour)
• Greedy Friar (John Francis Lane)