Chaucer and the Middle Ages Text book pg. 113-117 Title: Middle Ages Write 5 interesting facts (things you do NOT already know) Walk and Talk: Roam the room, talk to your classmates, look at their facts, and add 5 more facts to your list (copy!) What makes these facts interesting/important?

The Canterbury Tales ~Geoffrey Chaucer~

St. Thomas a’ Becket Born – 1118 (date unknown) Died - Dec. 29th 1170 The Archbishop of Canterbury (England) Becket disagreed with King Henry II and was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral There have been several miracles in this cathedral

St. Thomas a’ Becket After all the miracles, a shrine was put up in the cathedral Becket was canonized a saint People set out on a pilgrimage, to Canterbury Cathedral to pay homage to the shire of St. Thomas a’ Becket. Some believed that shrine had healing powers

Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales 1387 Chaucer wrote a free-verse poem about a pilgrimage to St. Thomas a’ Becket’s shrine. The Canterbury Tales

To Know: Chaucer uses characters to represent “everyman” from every walk of life (social status) Characterization Direct = author TELLS readers Indirect = author SHOWS readers Chaucer is the “Father of Modern English” because he wrote in the vernacular = everyday language Frame story = a story within a story Iambic Pentameter = 10 syllables per line Rhyme Scheme = rhyme pattern Chaucer uses aa, bb, cc, dd, ….

Canterbury Tales Setting: April, The Tabard Inn “Prologue”- 29 pilgrims, the narrator, and the inn host are introduced.

Canterbury, United Kingdom

The Prologue The 29 are spending the night at the Tabard Inn. The Narrator says he will describe and repeat everything he hears no matter how offensive. The Host proposes that each pilgrim tell 2 tales on the way there and back. The best tale will win dinner at the Inn

The Prologue The pilgrims are made up of all 3 divisions of class in medieval society: Feudal class The Church Merchant class

The Prologue Chaucer’s characterization was unlike anything ever written before. He creates a human encyclopedia by describing physical, social mannerisms, beliefs, and morals of each character.

The Characters After the pilgrims are introduced in the prologue each character tells his or her own tale.

Themes Marriage-Chaucer was obsessed with relationships between men & women Beast tales- Several character either acted like animals or were compared to and described with animal characteristics.

The Poems Originally Chaucer set out to write approximately 120 tales but ended up with the 22 we have today.

Code of Chivalry Have a strong sense of right and wrong Be compassionate to the unfortunate and weak Be discreet Be merciful Be truthful Be clean and pure of purpose Always be ready to defend a lady’s honor and fight for the church Be sincerely religious Be conscientious in administering justice Keep vows and promises

Agree or Disagree??? For each of the following statements, you will do the following: Write the statement Agree or Disagree One sentence WHY After we have gone through several statements, there will be an activity that involves discussion.

Agree or Disagree? EXPLAIN Society should socially accept that it’s a man’s world.

Agree or Disagree? EXPLAIN Marriage is the key to a happy life.

Agree or Disagree? EXPLAIN Women and men cannot truly understand each other.

Agree or Disagree? EXPLAIN People can be fully redeemed from sins committed.

Agree or Disagree? EXPLAIN Money is the world’s source of sin.

Agree or Disagree? EXPLAIN Men want wives who will do everything they say.

Agree or Disagree? EXPLAIN A good relationship must have a leader.

Agree or Disagree? EXPLAIN All people judge people before they get to know them.

Mark the TWO that you feel MOST passionate about Get into small groups (4-5) Each person has time to share his/her two statements Everyone has time to respond Each group selects one to present to class in one minute or less

Agree or Disagree? Now, we will go back through the statements, and you will meet with classmates who share your opinion. In your groups, you will have two minutes with your peers to discuss WHY and come up with a brief argument supporting your claim. One person will then share the group’s consensus in 30 seconds. There will NOT be a rebuttal from the other group. All opinion will be respected.

Disagreeing /Offering a Suggestion I don’t agree with you because Disagreeing /Offering a Suggestion I don’t agree with you because . . . Maybe we could . . . I got a different answer than you. What if we . . . I see it another way. Here’s something we might try. Expressing Polite Disagreement & Providing Reasons: I don’t entirely agree with _____ that . . . My opinion/experience/perspective is different than _____’s. My idea is slightly different than _____’s.

Time to read! What is a prologue? What might I expect to learn in the prologue? The Prologue is in the Holt Reader We will practice annotating it---we will note what we learn, why it is important, and elements of the author’s style.

*There will be 22 characters to go on your chart Pilgrim Examples of Direct Characterization Examples of Indirect Characterization and what they reveal Summary of Character Example of poetic structure, author’s style, or figurative language

Example: Character (Narrator or Pilgrim) Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization Summary of Character Knight, pg.122 - a distinguished man -honored -fought nobly for his king -true and gentle knight -fights bravely and loyally -“sovereign in all eyes” = respected -modest as a maid = humble -fine horses but not gaily dressed = doesn’t care about appearances The knight is a truly GOOD guy who is chivalric.

Pilgrims for Chart Knight, 122 Yeoman, 123 Nun, 124 Monk, 125 Friar, 126 Merchant, 128 Oxford Cleric, 129 Lawyer, 129 Franklin, 130 Guildsmen, 131 Cook, 131 Skipper, 131 Doctor, 132 Wife of Bath, 133 Parson, 134 Plowman, 135 Miller, 135 Manciple, 136 Reeve, 137 Summoner, 138 Pardoner, 139 Host, 141

Pilgrim Poster: Identify your partner and pilgrim Read your pilgrim’s introduction Take notes (complete chart for your pilgrim) Get poster paper You will be the EXPERT who knows your pilgrim, so include the following on the poster you make to introduce him/her: Name At least SIX examples of characterization with each example labeled as direct (DC) or indirect (IC) An illustration (draw your pilgrim or something that represents him/her) A summary of your pilgrim An example of the author’s style, poetic structure, or figurative language AND its significance Partners will show poster to class and give a brief pilgrim introduction Posters will be displayed on a Gallery Walk so everyone can take notes on each pilgrim