The Nun's Priest's Tale Characters
C
Chaunticleer
Protagonist
Also known as: Chauntecleer
Proud
Noble
Talented singer
Wise yet easily flattered
Chaunticleer is a proud and noble rooster renowned as the best singer in the land, distinguished by his red comb, black beak, and golden feathers. He is wise and learned, fond of debate and literary references, yet dangerously susceptible to flattery. He has seven wives but reserves his deepest affection for his beloved hen Pertelote.
P
Pertelote
Supporting
Beautiful
Courteous
Wise
Gentle
Pertelote is Chaunticleer's beloved wife and a hen of exceptional beauty, courtesy, wisdom, and gentleness. She is known for her sharp debating skills and practical, logical outlook. She dismisses her husband's dream fears with reason and common sense, representing a grounded and rational perspective.
SR
Sir Russell
Antagonist
Also known as: The Fox
Sly
Cunning
Deceptive
Flattering
Sir Russell is a cunning and deceptive fox who serves as the primary antagonist of the tale. He manipulates Chaunticleer through skillful flattery and false praise, exploiting the rooster's vanity to achieve his predatory ends. He embodies the moral danger of insincere flattery and trickery.
TW
The Widow
Supporting
Humble
Hardworking
Modest
Patient
The Widow is a humble and hardworking woman living a modest, simple life in a small cottage with her two daughters. She owns a small farm consisting of three sows, three cows, a sheep named Malle, and the rooster Chaunticleer. She represents virtuous, unpretentious rural life and patient contentment with little.
TW
The Widow's Two Daughters
Minor
Helpful
Quiet
Simple
Virtuous
The Widow's two daughters assist their mother with housework and share her quiet, simple, and moral way of life. They represent humble rural virtue and domestic peace, serving as background figures who reinforce the modest setting of the tale.
TS
Three Sows
Symbolic
Part of humble farm life
The three sows are among the widow's modest livestock and form part of her small, self-sufficient property. They serve a symbolic and atmospheric role, reinforcing the humble and simple nature of the widow's rural household.
TC
Three Cows
Symbolic
Part of humble farm life
The three cows belong to the widow and contribute to the picture of her modest, self-sufficient farm life. Like the other animals, they serve primarily to establish the humble rural setting of the tale.
M
Malle
Symbolic
Also known as: Molly
Part of humble household
Malle is the widow's sheep, mentioned by name to emphasise the small and self-sufficient nature of her household. The naming of the sheep adds a personal, intimate quality to the widow's modest rural existence.
TN
The Nun's Priest
Narrator
Also known as: John, Sir John
Wise
Humorous
Morally insightful
Lively
The Nun's Priest is the narrator and storyteller of the tale, recounting it to entertain the group of pilgrims. Through his voice, Chaucer conveys wisdom, humour, and moral insight. He is praised by the Host at the tale's conclusion, who describes him as strong, lively, and full of spirit.