“The Canterbury Tales Prologue” Exam PPT 1

Language & Rhyme Scheme First 18 lines in Middle English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOMU The meter and rhyme scheme have been preserved in the Modern English version. Look for details that will help you to get to know the characters and understand their beliefs, ideas, and position.  

Literary Analysis: Characterization 1.) In these lines, what does the narrator suggest about the pilgrims’ motives for going to Canterbury?

Answer They want to visit the saint’s shrine and ask for his help and healing.

Reading Strategy 2.) What does Chaucer say he will do in lines 35-42? How, or in what manner, will he do it?

Answer Chaucer says that, before he tells more of the story, he is going to describe the people who are going along with him on the pilgrimage.   He will include their social position, how they are dressed, their professions, and whatever else he can determine from what he has seen so far.

Reading Check #3.) Who have gathered at the Tabard?

Answer Pilgrims on their way to Canterbury are gathered at The Tabard in Southwark.

The Knight “Most distinguished man” followed “chivalry” “Truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy” “He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight.” modest, humble attire Served the king well in religious wars Most socially prominent person on the journey nobility – role model for the other pilgrims

The Knight When Chaucer describes the Knight as the epitome of chivalry, he is talking about an ideal from the past. By the 1380’s, when Chaucer began The Canterbury Tales, feudalism and chivalry had nearly disappeared from England.

Literary Analysis: Characterization #4.) What do lines 54-65 indirectly suggest about the Knight’s character?

Margin Questions #4 Answer He is brave, loves action and adventure, really believes in the ideals of chivalry – and must be an excellent fighter to have survived so many battles.

The Squire Son of the Knight “lover and a cadet” “a lad of fire” curly, well-groomed hair twenty years old performed valiantly in battle to win the favor of a lady ostentatious clothing – “embroidered like a meadow bright” part of the nobility

Critical Viewing #5.) Compare this portrait with Chaucer’s description of the Yeoman. What details did the artist choose to change or omit?

Margin Q #5 Answer The yeoman’s arrows are slung over his shoulder rather than hanging at his belt as in Chaucer’s description. The author has chosen to omit the arm brace, the medal of St. Christopher, and the hunting horn. Only the lining in his coat in the picture is green, not the entire coat. There are objects in the painting that were not mentioned in the text – purse and feathered cap

Yeoman nobleman’s attendant to the Knight and Squire considered part of nobility “wore a coat and hood of green” “His head was like a nut, his face was brown.” rustic w/a medal of St. Christopher around his neck “proper forester”

Reading Check #6.) What is the relationship among the Knight, the Squire, and the Yeoman?

Margin Q #6 - Answer The Knight’s son is the Squire, and the Squire’s servant is the Yeoman.

Nun “Prioress” “simple and coy” “known as Madam Eglantyne” “spoke daintily in French” very feminine, concerned about her appearance, pretty, ladylike “Her veil was gathered in a seemly way,” Amorous – wears a bracelet “Love conquers all.” part of the high clergy Hugely ironic, considering her vocation

Reading Strategy #7.) What two basic qualities does the sentence in lines 141-145 attribute to the Nun?

Answer On the one hand, the Nun is friendly and entertaining, on the other hand, she is working very hard at pretending to be elegant.

Literary Analysis #8.) What can you infer about the Prioress based on this detailed description of her jewelry?

Answers The jewelry indicates wealth. The jewelry indicates a degree of worldliness.

Monk (Art) - Massive and richly robed - Expression of self-satisfaction Wealth is apparent: - fur-trimmed robe - Gold brooch - Elaborate sword

Monk Likes hunting Owns a stable full of horses Ignores the rules by which monks are supposed to live Owns greyhounds Spares for no expense Sleeves are garnished with fur Fastens his cloak with a gold pin Head is bald and shiny fat

#9. ) What Can You Infer about the Monk’s Style of Living #9.) What Can You Infer about the Monk’s Style of Living? List Three details Supporting Your Conclusion

ANSWER The monk is large so he eats well His fur trimmed clothing and fine purse indicates a degree of wealth Spurs and sword suggest he rides and possibly hunts or engages in sport Huge gold cross hanging from his belt reminds everyone that he is a member of religious order and also great wealth

10.) What is the Monk’s Main Interest?

ANSWER Hunting!

Identify key elements of the description of the monk: Social Commentary Writing that provides insights into society, its values, and its customs Social Commentary helps us understand the motives and lives of the individuals who lived in that society Identify key elements of the description of the monk: He loves to hunt Rides a horse well Likes to eat “liked a fat swan best” Ignores any doctrine he doesn’t like

11.) What do the details about the Monk’s habits and tastes indirectly suggest about religious institutions of the time?

ANSWER Religious institutions of the time provided a comfortable lifestyle for some without requiring special devotion from them

Literary Analysis: Characterization 12.) In lines 244-254, is Chaucer using direct characterization or indirect characterization? Explain

ANSWER Chaucer is using indirect characterization: He describes who the Friar knew and where he spent his time

FRIAR Unlike Monks whose work lay within a monastery, friars were itinerant clergymen whose begging supported schools, hospitals, the poor, and other church-related institutions – or was supposed to. The Friar exemplifies the corruption to which many of these people had sunk by Chaucer’s time

FRIAR A Limiter (a friar given begging rights for a certain limited area) Claims to be qualified to hear confessions (for a fee) Sings wells Plays the hurdy-gurdy Does not associate with lepers and the poor Associates with wealthy as well as innkeepers and barmaids Takes money from a widow with no shoes Arbitrates disputes for money Plays the harp Named Hubert

13. ) What is the main thought in the sentence in lines 259-263 13.) What is the main thought in the sentence in lines 259-263? What Question about this main idea (who, what where, why, when, or how) do the other parts of the sentence help answer?

ANSWER Who – both the Friar (SUBJECT) and the widow What – the farthing (money) Why – because he wants an income How – he is such a skillful begger Main idea is that he gets money even from the poor to supplement his own income

FRIAR The Friar’s job was supposed to include helping the poor, and the teachings of Christianity include protecting widows and helping the poor With this in mind, what can you deduce about the Friar’s beliefs? …

ANSWER It is evident that the Friar cares nothing about what he is supposed to be doing or what he says he believes. He is in it for the money!

14.) How does the Friar earn his living?

ANSWER The Friar earns his living by skillful begging

MERCHANT Forked beard Dressed in motley Wears a beaver hat Wears daintily buckled boots Expert in currency exchange Is in debt

OXFORD CLERIC A student of religion Has a skinny horse Does not have yet a job in the church and is too unworldly to find secular employment Prefers reading of Aristotle’s philosophy over pursuits Has not yet discovered the philosopher’s stone for making gold Takes money from friends to buy books and repays them by praying for them His only care is study Speech is filled with moral virtues Likes to learn and teach

15.) What Can you Infer from this Picture about the Oxford Cleric’s Style of Living? List Three Details Supporting Your Answer.

ANSWER The student likes to read and lives rather frugally These characteristics are suggested by: He is reading His hose are patched at the knees He lacks the more luxurious purses, swords, and adornment seen in the pictures of other pilgrims

#16.) What are the Cleric’s interest?

ANSWER He enjoys reading, learning, teaching, praying, & books on philosophy

THE SERGEANT AT THE LAW Justice of Assize Knows of every case and crime recorded since King William’s time Wears a homely coat and a silken belt