Warm-Up Feudalism Game
Painting Page 138 Painting of Chaucer’s pilgrims Figures seen as universal types, not individuals What do you notice about the painting?
C-Tales: A Snapshot of an age Although the tales tell us quite a bit about the Middle Ages, it is important to remember that it is a work of fiction. Chaucer plays different roles: Chaucer as a man, a poet, and a pilgrim.
Read pg and prepare to answer the following: How do pilgrims feel about Inns? Why is the prologue unlike other literature? What are the levels of the stories?
The Prologue Many College and HS students are taught to memorize the prologue in Middle English. How long is the first sentence? What idea is introduced after the first sentence?
Literary Terms Frame Story The Speaker Can you think of a modern book or movie that has a frame story?
Comprehension Where is the speaker and why is he there?
REASONS TO GO Improve chances of SALVATION Healed by Saint’s relics Atone for sins
Compare and Contrast Lines Compare with Middle English on page 141. What rhyme schemes are preserved? Couplets Iambic Pentameter (dah DAH) unstressed, stressed
CHARACTERS Looks/ Dresses Picture Speaks and Acts Thinks and Feels Others Respond to Character What Speaker thinks about Character/ How Chaucer portrays character
The Knight Holy wars What qualities does the knight possess that are different from qualities of a veteran soldier? When prologue mentions clothing, it is using indirect characterization (sort of what we did in class). What does it say about him in lines 69-74?
Patterns Ideal knight sets up pattern of perfection that other characters will be measured against.
Squire How does he differ from the knight? Note: The Squire fought in a campaign against the French in Flanders—a humiliating defeat for the English Summarize the narrator's description of the squire.
Critics Squire’s clothes stress youth and frivolity. Not the man his father is, yet not to be laughed away. Chaucer likes the Squire and praises the young man’s accomplishments. What does the last couplet say about him?
Yeoman Originally Knight’s servant How is he portrayed?
Nuns A nun was a woman who lives in a convent & takes a vow of poverty, obedience, & chastity. She is married to Christ. As mother superior of a convent, a prioress is under oath not to leave her duties.
Comprehension Question Is the nun’s behavior appropriate for a nun?
Irony By St. Loy Saint known for his refusal to swear Eglantyne also ironic because it is the name of several romantic heroes. How else is she portrayed as a romantic figure?
Comprehension Question How does Chaucer feel about the nun?
Comprehension Question What details about her suggest that she is putting on airs? That she is trying to be more high class than she really is?
Criticism Prioress represents fundamental flaw in the system. Values were contaminated by secular beliefs. She is “class conscious”
Closing Write one thing that was interesting today in your notebooks.