The Canterbury Tales J.L. Ilsley High School English 12 Eras and Ages

Geoffrey Chaucer ( ) Writer Writer Poet Poet Diplomat Diplomat Educator Educator Philosopher Philosopher Husband Husband Father Father Father of English Lit Father of English Lit

The Book One of the original works of English Literature One of the original works of English Literature Chaucer was the first to argue that there could be a literature in English, as opposed to Latin or Greek. Chaucer was the first to argue that there could be a literature in English, as opposed to Latin or Greek.

The Manuscript Published before the printing press Published before the printing press Hand-lettered Hand-lettered Illuminated Manuscript Illuminated Manuscript Stylized initial letters Stylized initial letters

The Story Pilgrimage to Canterbury Pilgrimage to Canterbury Knight, Miller, Nun, Monk, Merchant, Cook, Physician, Wife of Bath, etc. Knight, Miller, Nun, Monk, Merchant, Cook, Physician, Wife of Bath, etc. Stories while traveling Stories while traveling

The Language Written in “Middle English” Written in “Middle English” Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) with Latin and French thrown in Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) with Latin and French thrown in Wait till you hear it! Wait till you hear it! Wait till you hear it! Wait till you hear it!

And prively he caughte hire by the queynte,prively And seyde, "Ywis, but if ich have my wille, 170For deerne love of thee, lemman, I spille."deernelemmanspille And heeld hire harde by the haunchebones, And seyde, "Lemman, love me al atones,atones Or I wol dyen, also God me save!" And she sproong as a colt dooth in the trave,coltdooth 175And with hir heed she wryed faste awey,heed And seyde, "I wol nat kisse thee, by my fey! Why, lat be," quod she, "lat be, Nicholas,quod Or I wol crie 'out harrow' and 'allas!' Do wey youre handes, for youre curteisye!" 180This Nicholas gan mercy for to crye, And spak so faire, and profred him so faste, That she hir love hym graunted atte laste, Ans swoor hir ooth, by seint Thomas of Kent,ooth That she wol been at his comandement, 185Whan that she may hir leyser wel espie. "Myn housbonde is so ful of jalousie That but ye wayte wel and been privee,privee I woot right wel I nam but deed," quod she.wootI nam butdeedquod "Ye moste been ful deerne, as in this cas."deerne

190"Nay, therof care thee noght," quod Nicholas.quod "A clerk hadde litherly biset his whyle, But if he koude a carpenter bigyle."koude And thus they been accorded and ysworn To wayte a tyme, as I have told biforn. 195Whan Nicholas had doon thus everideel,everideel And thakked hire aboute the lendes weel, He kiste hire sweete and taketh his sawtrie,kistesawtrie And pleyeth faste, and maketh melodie.

The Miller’s Tale After the Knight’s Tale (which was chivalrous) After the Knight’s Tale (which was chivalrous) He was drunk He was drunk He was naughty He was naughty He was the comic relief He was the comic relief

The Story Young woman (Alison), rich older husband (John) Young woman (Alison), rich older husband (John) Pretty girl, loved by the young men in the community Pretty girl, loved by the young men in the community Seduced by Nicholas, but also loved by Absolom Seduced by Nicholas, but also loved by Absolom

The Miller’s Tale, Continued Nicholas dupes Alison’s husband by convincing him that there is going to be a Biblical flood; the husband hides in a tub on the roof. Nicholas dupes Alison’s husband by convincing him that there is going to be a Biblical flood; the husband hides in a tub on the roof. Absolom serenades Alison, but she isn’t interested. She and Nicholas are cruel to him. Absolom serenades Alison, but she isn’t interested. She and Nicholas are cruel to him.

In the end… Nicholas gets the girl, but also gets “hurt” Nicholas gets the girl, but also gets “hurt” Absolom gets his feelings hurt Absolom gets his feelings hurt John falls off the roof in his tub; neighbours think he’s nuts John falls off the roof in his tub; neighbours think he’s nuts Alison remains a ho Alison remains a ho

Let’s Read an Excerpt!

Questions for Reading – Copy and complete for Wednesday How is Alison described in “The Miller’s Tale”? (Include some of the animals and plants that Alison is compared to, and discuss her looks.) How is Alison described in “The Miller’s Tale”? (Include some of the animals and plants that Alison is compared to, and discuss her looks.) How does Absalom try to “woo” Alison? How does Absalom try to “woo” Alison? How does astrology feature in this story? Who makes predictions based on the stars? Who believes them? How does astrology feature in this story? Who makes predictions based on the stars? Who believes them? Cite a tricky line or passage from “The Miller’s Tale.” What strategies did you use to make meaning? Cite a tricky line or passage from “The Miller’s Tale.” What strategies did you use to make meaning? What is the theme of “The Miller’s Tale”? What is Chaucer saying about marriage, youth, or love? What is the theme of “The Miller’s Tale”? What is Chaucer saying about marriage, youth, or love?

Works Cited d=34099&id= d=34099&id= /nael/noa/audio.htm /nael/noa/audio.htm ucer/teachslf/milt-par.htm ucer/teachslf/milt-par.htm ucer/teachslf/milt-par.htm ucer/teachslf/milt-par.htm tro/chaucer/ct/milt/ tro/chaucer/ct/milt/