Canterbury Tales General Prologue: Character Assignment

Purpose: In order for the class to get a better idea of who all the characters are, and to get a “picture” in our heads, each student will be assigned to report on one or two characters from the General Prologue to the class.

Components: For your assigned character, you must present the following, based on the description in the General Prologue.

1. Occupation and explanation if needed 2. Physical description 3. Intelligence/education 4. Emotions/personality 5. Background history 6. Definitions of any unknown vocabulary used to describe the character 7. Explanations of any allusions 8. A visual that you bring from a magazine, newspaper, internet, etc.,that depicts what you think the character might look like. It could be “medieval,” or a modern-day equivalent.

Your report needs to be typed and posted to the conference, but you will also present it orally. I would suggest about a page for each character. Plan to talk a few minutes about your character, supplementing what is written for us to read. Your effort on this will count as a quiz grade.

Due Date: Thursday, 1/6

Assignments:

Alec: Knight Lillian: Parson Allie: Squire Peter: Plowman Ben: Yeoman Ian: Reeve Charlie: Nun Chris: Miller Andrew: Monk, Manciple Simran: Friar Olivia: Pardoner Sarah Ann: Merchant, Cook Patrick: Cleric Joel: Sergeant-at-Law Bennett: Franklin Nathan: Wife of Bath Jenn: Doctor, Skipper Mr. Szott: Summoner (example handout in class) Class: Host