illustration of a clergyman with Canterbury cathedral behind him

The Canterbury Tales

by Geoffrey Chaucer

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The following paper topics are designed to test your understanding of the work as a whole and to analyze important themes and literary devices. Following each question is a sample outline to help you get started.

  • Topic #1
    One of Chaucer's persistent themes throughout The Canterbury Tales is the relationships of husbands and wives. In a well-developed paper, present the different views of this relationship as they are reflected in the Tales.

    Outline
    I. Thesis Statement: One fine example of the diversity of The Canterbury Tales is its presentation of different views on the relationships of husbands and wives—both the traditional medieval (in which the woman is considered to be subject to her husband) and nontraditional (in which the wife controls her husband by any means possible).

    II. The Traditional View
    A. The Cleric's Tale
    B. The Franklin's Tale
    C. The Merchant's Tale

    III. The Nontraditional View
    A. The Wife of Bath's Tale
    B. The Shipman's Tale

    IV. The Problem of Unfaithful Wives
    A. The Miller's Tale
    B. The Merchant's Tale

    V. Commentary on marriage in the dialogue between the tales

  • Topic #2
    As the pilgrimage progresses, animosities develop between several pairs of characters. Discuss the feuds between the Miller and the Reeve; the Friar and the Summoner; and the Cook and the Host. In each explanation, include the origin of the rivalry or disagreement; the way tales are used as weapons in the dispute; what is added in the links of dialogue; and any hints from the General Prologue.

    Outline
    I. Thesis Statement: During the course of the pilgrimage, animosities develop between several pairs of characters. Of paticular note are the Miller and the Reeve; the Friar and the Summoner; and the Cook and the Host. These characters often use their tales as a "weapon" to express their feelings about each other and their dispute.

    II. The Miller and the Reeve
    A. Origin of the dispute
    B. Disputing through the dialogues
    C. Using the tales as weapons

    III. The Friar and the Summoner
    A. Origin of the dispute
    B. Disputing through the dialogues
    C. Using the tales as weapons

    IV. The Host and the Cook
    A. Origin of the dispute
    B. Disputing through the dialogues
    C. Using the tales as weapons

  • Topic #3
    Describe three of the literary genres represented in The Canterbury Tales. For each genre, select and describe an example from the Tales, showing how the particular tale displays the characteristics of that genre.

    Outline
    I. Thesis Statement: The romance, the fabliau, and the beast fable are just three of the literary genres employed by Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales. By examining one tale in each of these genres, the reader can gain an understanding of the characterstics of the three genres.

    II. The Romance, Represented by The Knight's Tale
    A. Noble characters
    B. Courtly language
    C. Pageantry
    D. Trial by combat

    III. The Fabliau, Represented by The Miller's Tale
    A. Common people
    B. Infidelity
    C. Tricks and deception

    IV. The Beast Fable, Represented by The Nun's Priest's Tale
    A. Animals personifying humans
    B. Moral lesson taught

  • Topic #4
    The Canterbury Tales is thought to give an accurate view of the way women were regarded in medieval England. Using the General Prologue, the tales themselves, and the dialogue among the pilgrims, explain the various attitudes towards women in Chaucer's day.

    Outline
    I. Thesis Statement: The Canterbury Tales is thought to provide an accurate representation of the various attitudes toward women in medieval women. The tales about women and love may be grouped in a way that several generalized views of women in Chaucer's day become clear.

    II. The Virtuous Woman
    A. General description
    B. Constance
    C. Griselda
    D. The Prioress

    III. The Inherent Sinfulness of Woman
    A. The Miller's Tale
    B. The Merchant's Tale
    C. The Shipman's Tale

    IV. The Domineering Woman
    A. The Wife of Bath (her prologue and tale)
    B. The Host's Wife

    V. Chaucer's Commentary following The Cleric's Tale

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