Casting Canterbury Tales

Derek Frauendorfer

Ms. Morrell

English IV

2 November 2012

Casting Canterbury Tales

            I believe Jack Black could play the role of the Friar very well.  “There was a Friar, a wanton one and merry”.  Throughout the movie: School of Rock, Jack Black preaches loose (wanton) and fun behavior to the children and expresses the behavior without flaw.  The Friar is also described with a “gay and sturdy voice, for he sang well and played the hurdy-gurdy”.  Not only did Jack Black prove he can sing in School of Rock, but he also proved he could play the “hurdy-gurdy” (string-instrument).  Between his behavior and his skill set, Jack Black would make a perfect Friar.

            I believe Elijah Wood would play the role of the Squire very well.  Elijah Wood and the Squire both have “locks as curly as if they had been pressed”.  They both also have “wonderful agility and strength”, which Elijah proved he had throughout his endeavors as a hobbit in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  It also says the Squire “was some twenty years of age”, which can easily be portrayed by Elijah Wood because he always looks young in whatever role he plays.  Elijah Wood and the Squire could both “sit a horse and ride”.  This can also be proven with various scenes in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  Between his appearances and his abilities, Elijah Wood would make a perfect Squire. 

            I believe Chris Evans would make a great knight.  Although Chris Evans’s list of movies where he plays noble characters is short, I believe there is enough evidence that he can play a knight within the Captain America and the Avengers movies.  The Prologue to Canterbury Tales says that the knight had “chivalry, Truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy”, all of which Chris Evans showed he could portray well in Captain America.  The Prologue also speaks of the Knight being a very powerful adversary in battle.  He “always killed his man”.  Chris Evans showed he can do great fight scenes in The Avengers and he also has a strong enough body to portray a strong knight.  Between his appearances and his ability to play an honorable character, Chris Evans would make a perfect knight.

 

(All quotes were taken directly from the Prologue to Canterbury Tales)