This thesis will examine how medieval medical theories about humours, complexions and food properties influence the characterisation of some pilgrims in the General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales...Show moreThis thesis will examine how medieval medical theories about humours, complexions and food properties influence the characterisation of some pilgrims in the General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales. It will be argued that Chaucer draws on his knowledge of medieval diet and humoral theory to describe and satirise a number of his characters in the General Prologue and, through them, the estates they belong to. The portraits of the Franklin, Monk and Summoner will be analysed using various primary sources about health in the Middle Ages.Show less
