illustration of a clergyman with Canterbury cathedral behind him

The Canterbury Tales

by Geoffrey Chaucer

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General Prologue
1. Using Chaucer's Prologue to The Canterbury Tales, describe the rising middle class of fourteenth-century England. In the essay, include the variety of occupations, the degree of wealth, the level of education, and the beginnings of political power represented among the pilgrims.

2. Contrast a corrupt clergyman from the Prologue with the Parson.

3. Select three characters from the Prologue whom Chaucer seems to be satirizing (i.e., the Wife of Bath, the Summoner, the Prioress). Using some direct quotations, explain the satire.

The Knight's Tale
1. Explain the features of this tale which characterize it as a romance.

2. An "anachronism" is a literary "slip" in which the author inserts something into a work which could not have happened or which could not have existed at the time the work is set. Explain the anachronism in The Knight's Tale.

The Miller's Tale
1. Contrast The Knight's Tale with The Miller's Tale.

2. Fully describe the character Absalom.

The Reeve's Tale
1. Explain how The Miller's Tale and The Reeve's Tale might be said to reveal a situation that medieval men really deplored and dreaded.

2. What might surprise the modern reader about the language surrounding sexual activity in The Miller's and The Reeve's Tales?

The Man of Law's Tale
1. Describe what commentary about marriage seems to be made through this tale.

2. Name one element of the story that is drawn from each of the narrative types that Chaucer utilized for this tale.

The Shipman's Tale
1. Of the six tales told thus far, including the Cook's fragment, four have been fabliaux. What is the significance of the large number of fabliaux?

2. Discuss the two contrasting views of women that are represented in the tales so far.

The Prioress's Tale
1. Explain aspects of the story which may be offensive to modern readers.

2. What aspects of the story may reveal a hidden quality in the Prioress?

The Tale of Sir Thopas
1. Describe the Host as he has revealed himself so far in the dialogues.

2. Explain the humor, point by point, in the Tale of Sir Thopas.

The Monk's Tale
1. What does the Monk's decision to give a long moral recitation rather than tell a tale reveal about his character—especially in view of his outwardly patient response to the Host?

2. Taking one of the historical figures the Monk mentions in his recitation, discuss how that person specifically ties in to the Monk's theme (you cannot trust fame and fortune).

The Nun's Priest's Tale
1. By relating the theme of women to the Nun's Priest, explain why it is appropriate that he tell this tale.

2. Explain how The Nun's Priest's Tale fits the requirements for a beast fable.

The Wife of Bath's Tale
1. What clerical attitudes about women are attacked by the Wife of Bath?

2. What is ironic about her anger against these attitudes?

The Friar's Tale
1. In what ways can this tale be considered an example of a fabliau? What feature of the exemplum does it contain?

2. Why is it ironic that the Friar accuse the Summoner of avarice?

The Summoner's Tale
1. Explain which genre this tale fits and why.

2. What has happened to the friendly feud between the Summoner and the Friar?

The Cleric's Tale
1. Although she is exaggerated, Griselda is a model of the medieval clerical idea of woman. Based on the character, explain the clergy's ideal of the model wife.

2. Contrast Griselda with the Wife of Bath.

The Merchant's Tale
1. How does The Merchant's Tale resemble the fabliaux that preceed it?

2. Why would the Wife of Bath approve May's behavior?

The Squire's Tale (Fragment)
1. In what ways does Canace meet the standards for ideal womanhood?

2. Explain the exotic qualities of this story.

The Franklin's Tale
1. How does Dorigen fit into the medieval concept of womanhood?

2. Why would the Franklin, a member of the middle class, tell this story of the nobility?

The Physician's Tale
1. In what ways do Virginius and Virginia fulfill the romantic ideal?

2. What elements of the Republic of Rome are present in this tale?

The Pardoner's Tale
1. Explain in detail the moral lesson conveyed in The Pardoner's Tale.

2. Give a full character description of the pilgrim Pardoner.

The Second Nun's Tale
1. Compare and contrast St. Cecelia with Virginia and Dorigen.

2. Explain how Cecelia fulfills the medieval ideal of womanhood.

The Canon's Yeoman's Tale
1. Why would the medieval church forbid the practice of alchemy?

2. Discuss the kinds of dishonesty alchemy seems to require using both the Yeoman's confessions and the tale as sources.

The Manciple's Tale
1. What further commentary about marriage do the Manciple's private remarks and this tale give?

2. Explain the elements of myth in this tale.

The Parson's Tale
1. Explain how the Parson might justify telling a sermon when he had promised a merry tale.

2. Discuss in detail the way The Parson's Tale fits the description of him in the General Prologue.

Expert Q&A

What's a potential thesis statement for "The Pardoner's Tale"?

The pardoner is a priest who sells pardon letters, but he does not truly believe in them. He is greedy, and his tale shows that greed leads to sin.

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