1. The Murder of St. Thomas Becket: 1. What was Becket’s position in the church? Who appointed him and what kind of power did he possess? 2. What was Henry II’s goal in appointing Becket to the position he did? 3. What did Becket do to anger the king? 4. Why did the knights kill Becket? What happened to them? 5. Based on the article, what made Thomas Becket worthy of sainthood? Why do you think people would embrace Becket and his tomb as a shrine?

2. Journal #1 - Stereotypes In The Canterbury Tales Chaucer uses stereotypes to describe his characters. He thought it was human nature to judge people by their looks, or station in life even if we’re not prejudiced. Explain a time when you or someone you know was affected by stereotyping. What happened? Why were you/they judged? How were you/they affected?

3. Introduction to The Canterbury Tales “More often in life the journey is more important than the destination.”

4. The Adventure Begins… It is April in England and a group of 29 people are on a pilgrimage It is April in England and a group of 29 people are on a pilgrimage Going to visit the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket – people often went on these journeys to signify a “new beginning” and an absolvement of their sins Going to visit the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket – people often went on these journeys to signify a “new beginning” and an absolvement of their sins They are meeting at the Tabard Inn and making a journey of roughly 80 miles by foot and horseback They are meeting at the Tabard Inn and making a journey of roughly 80 miles by foot and horseback

5. The Shrine of St. Thomas Becket

6. Why the stories? As a means of entertainment, the narrator (assumingly Chaucer) suggests they have a story-telling contest to help to pass the time As a means of entertainment, the narrator (assumingly Chaucer) suggests they have a story-telling contest to help to pass the time Each person on the pilgrimage then tells a story—some are true, some are fiction Each person on the pilgrimage then tells a story—some are true, some are fiction Different genres: romance, action, horror, crude comedies (fabliaux) Different genres: romance, action, horror, crude comedies (fabliaux)

7. Pilgrims on the Journey Chaucer uses common stereotypes in order to depict the characters – for the most part his descriptions were cynical and full of sarcasm Chaucer uses common stereotypes in order to depict the characters – for the most part his descriptions were cynical and full of sarcasm The genius of The Canterbury Tales is the development of each and every character and the fact that since it contains characters from each of the three common classes making it universal—the story of the “everyman” The genius of The Canterbury Tales is the development of each and every character and the fact that since it contains characters from each of the three common classes making it universal—the story of the “everyman” People in the 14 th century were obsessed with class, so that person’s station in life determined the kind of treatment and amount of respect they received. The class system was known as the “feudal system” in medieval times. People in the 14 th century were obsessed with class, so that person’s station in life determined the kind of treatment and amount of respect they received. The class system was known as the “feudal system” in medieval times.

8. The 14 th Century Class System The Aristocrats: the highest level, includes royalty, landowners & the wealthy The Aristocrats: the highest level, includes royalty, landowners & the wealthy The Clergy: religious people; included priests, bishops, abbots, parson and clerks of the church The Clergy: religious people; included priests, bishops, abbots, parson and clerks of the church The Peasants: the lowest class of people; the working class and servants The Peasants: the lowest class of people; the working class and servants

9. The Aristocracy Knight Knight Squire Squire Yeoman Yeoman Franklin Franklin Miller Miller Reeve Reeve

10. The Clergy Nun Nun Monk Monk Friar Friar Cleric Cleric Parson Parson Summoner Summoner Pardoner Pardoner

11. The Peasants Merchant Merchant Wife of Bath Wife of Bath Host Host Skipper Skipper Plowman Plowman

12. Vocabulary – Define the following: Sundry Sundry Martyr Martyr Chivalry Chivalry Squire Squire Yeoman Yeoman Sedately Sedately Friar Friar Personable Personable Secular Secular Malady Malady Pestilence Pestilence Sufficiency Sufficiency Tithes Tithes Relic Relic Prevarication Prevarication Wrath Wrath Fabliaux Fabliaux Vintage Vintage