Things to Think About

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT Physical Attributes Justification/Explanation Sex

Hair/eye color

Beyond the physical What is their relationship status

What is their education level

Where are they from

Where are they going

What is the purpose of the trip

Who are they going with

When are they traveling

What is their personality like

Are they conservative or liberal

What is their socioeconomic status

Other observations (at least 5-7)

Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 1 of 10 Read the selection carefully and fill each space with the correct word from the wordbank below. Unflattering Ransomed Twenty-six Squire French London Courtiers Soldiers Medieval Large Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400) was the earliest great poet and story-teller in English literature. He was born in ______, in Thames Street not far from the Tower of London. Living close to the docks and being the son of a prosperous wine merchant allowed for plenty of stimulation for Chaucer’s active imagination growing up.

In 1357, he went to be a page of the Countess of Ulster who was a daughter-in-law of King Edward III. He met ______and statesmen, ______and ambassadors, artists, musicians and craftsmen. When later he was promoted to ______, his wages rose to seven pence halfpenny a day and he was allowed a room, which he shared with a fellow squire. In 1359, he was sent abroad to fight the ______in what is now called the Hundred Years War. That winter he was taken prisoner near Rheims and the following year, when he was ______for 16£, he went home. King Edward III must have thought highly of him to pay this sum, which was a ______amount in those days.

In 1366, when he was aged approximately ______, Chaucer married Philippa de Roet, lady-in-waiting to the Queen and a sister of the King son’s third wife.

Love played little part in ______marriages as they were usually arranged by parents or friends. From the ______comments that Chaucer makes in his poems about marriage, it seems that this was not a particularly happy match.

Here are ten more sentences about the next stages in Chaucer’s life, but they are jumbled. Put them in the correct order. A. ____On his return to London in 1374, he was made Controller of Customs on wool, skins and hides, a post he held until 1386. B. ____From the east, he could see hills and unhedged fields. C. ____Unfortunately for Chaucer, at the end of 1386, he lost all his public offices because his patron, John of ____Gaunt, was sent to Spain. D. ____This visit brought him into contact with the finest art and literature in the world including the writers Petrarch and Boccaccio, the greatest writers of the day. E. ____In early 1386, as a poet, diplomat and man of business, he was made Justice of the Peace and a Knight of the Shire. F. ____In those days the countryside came right up to the city walls. G. ____The loss of his jobs was lucky for us, however, as it gave Chaucer time to start on his greatest work. The Canterbury Tales. H. ____With this job, the city of London gave him a house and from its west windows he could look out on to the crowded streets and see a hundred church spires. I. ____In 1373, he was sent to Italy for the first time, on the King’s business. J. ____Living in such a pleasant house was a happy time for him, especially as the job was so undemanding that he had plenty of time to write, including “The Parliament of Birds” and “Troilus and Criseyde.”

Chaucer never finished The Canterbury Tales in the way that he wanted. He died financially insecure and was buried in Westminster Abbey in the first of those tombs that are grouped together and known as Poets’ Corner.

PILGRIMAGE:

WHERE:

Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 2 of 10 Building a Canterbury Character ______Your Name Your character Direct Characterization: This is information you should find IN THE TEXT Physical Appearance Job description Traveling with… (props, people etc)

Indirect Characterization: These are things you will make inferences about or come up with yourself. They are not in black and white. Be creative but link it to the text. Personality What would their What 5 adj.s would Why are they making theme song be? you use to describe a trip to Canterbury? them?

Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 3 of 10 Here is where you should write a brief introduction of yourself that includes all of these categories. You should have an attention getter, an introduction of yourself (as the character), relate to the audience. Each of the categories can be considered a “Subtopic” and the things in the boxes are your “details.” YOU MAY ONLY WRITE BULLET POINTS ON THIS PAPER SO YOU DO NOT READ WHILE PRESENTING! Attention Getter:

Introduce yourself (as the character—use the physical appearance and clothing to help you here); use the adjectives that describe you and explain why; your job description should go here too:

Relate to the audience: (this would be a good place to say why you are going to Canterbury since you are all going on the same trip)

Conclude:

RUBRIC FOR INTRODUCTIONS IN CANTERBURY TALES Attention Grabber 1 2 3 Name of Character 1 2 Job Description 1 2 3 5 adjectives 1 2 3 4 5 Relate to Audience 1 2 Why they are making the trip 1 2 3 Who they are traveling with… 1 2 Conclusion 1 2 3 4 5 Eye contact 1 2 3 Articulation 1 2 Preparation 1 2 3 4 5 Creativity 1 2 3 4 5 TPE______/40TPP Extra Credit Physical Appearance; clothing and props 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 *Remember—you are the character, so you should SHOW the character’s personality by ACTING like they would!!—Extra credit will be given to those who “dress the part” on presentation day** Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 4 of 10 Here begins the Book Middle English Prologue EC assignment: Memorize of the Tales of Canterbury and recite by next Friday for EC coupon! (20 pts) When April with his showers sweet with fruit When April with his showers sweet with fruit The drought of March has pierced unto the root The drought of March has pierced unto the root And bathed each vein with liquor that has power And bathed each vein with liquor that has power To generate therein and sire the flower; To generate therein and sire the flower; When Zephyr also has, with his sweet breath, When Zephyr also has, with his sweet breath, Quickened again, in every holt and heath, Quickened again, in every holt and heath, The tender shoots and buds, and the young sun The tender shoots and buds, and the young sun Into the Ram one half his course has run, Into the Ram one half his course has run, And many little birds make melody And many little birds make melody That sleep through all the night with open eye That sleep through all the night with open eye (So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)- (So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)- Then do folk long to go on pilgrimage, Then do folk long to go on pilgrimage, And palmers to go seeking out strange strands, And palmers to go seeking out strange strands, To distant shrines well known in sundry lands. To distant shrines well known in sundry lands. And specially from every shire's end And specially from every shire's end Of England they to Canterbury wend, Of England they to Canterbury wend, The holy blessed martyr there to seek The holy blessed martyr there to seek Who helped them when they lay so ill and weal Who helped them when they lay so ill and weal Befell that, in that season, on a day In Southwark, at the Tabard, as I lay Ready to start upon my pilgrimage To Canterbury, full of devout homage, There came at nightfall to that hostelry Some nine and twenty in a company Of sundry persons who had chanced to fall In fellowship, and pilgrims were they all That toward Canterbury town would ride. The rooms and stables spacious were and wide, And well we there were eased, and of the best. And briefly, when the sun had gone to rest, So had I spoken with them, every one, That I was of their fellowship anon, And made agreement that we'd early rise To take the road, as you I will apprise. But none the less, whilst I have time and space, Before yet farther in this tale I pace, It seems to me accordant with reason To inform you of the state of every one Of all of these, as it appeared to me, And who they were, and what was their degree, And even how arrayed there at the inn;

Character Stereotype Symbols:

Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 5 of 10 For each of the introductions, make sure you record a symbol on the stick figure below. You should have one awesome representation of Chaucer’s society! Make sure you can justify each one!

The Canterbury Tales Study Guide

Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 6 of 10 Prologue Reflection 1. Why do you think Chaucer starts his catalogue of descriptions with the knight? 2. Note several ways in which Chaucer’s Prologue provides readers with social commentary. 3. Why does Chaucer apologize in the sentence starting with line 745? Read Lines 804-856 (Pg 117-119) 4. What is noteworthy about Chaucer’s description of the Host? 5. By what criteria will he judge the stories? 6. How do they determine the first storyteller? The Pardoner’s Tale Background (pg122-123) 7. Define allegory. 8. List the characteristics of archetypal narrative elements 9. What are pardons? 10. What important skill(s) does the Pardoner possess that Chaucer praises? Criticizes? 11. What do all his sermons illustrate and why? The pardoner’s prologue (page 124-125) Chaucer’s characterization of the Pardoner as a rapacious figure out for personal gain is a satire of the religious state of affairs in his era. Before the Reformation in the sixteenth century, religious abuses were fairly common. 12. What is the text on which the Pardoner always preaches? (lines 5-8) 13. What are the “antics” the Pardoner refers to in line 17 (re-read lines 14-15 for a clue). 14. How does the Pardoner defend himself and his brothers? (lines 32-40) 15. What vice does the Pardoner admit to having even though he preaches against it? (lines 41-46) 16. What previous vocabulary word does question # 4 describe? (look at line 25-29 for a hint) 17. How does the Pardoner characterize a “yokel mind”? (lines 55-56) 18. What does the Pardoner say he will always avoid no matter what? (lines 57-59) 19. List a few pleasures the Pardoner indulges in. (lines 66-71) 20. Why does the Pardoner choose to tell a “moral tale”? (lines 74-80) The pardoner’s tale (page 126-133) 21. What details at the beginning of the tale allow us to draw conclusions about the 3 main characters? (lines 81-83) 22. Who is in the coffin passing by? (lines 92-93) 23. How is Death personified? (lines 95-98) 24. What killed this person and a thousand others? (line 99) 25. How does the tavern-knave attempt to warn the rioters? (lines 100-104) 26. How do they respond? (lines 113-121) What condition are they in when the set out? (lines 125-127) 27. Describe the encounter with the old man. 28. What archetypal (look to page 122 o remind you of characteristics) role does the old man play? (lines 182-189) 29. What do the rioters find under the oak tree? (lines 190-194) 30. Why do they stop hunting for Death? (lines 194-196) 31. How do the rioters account for the treasure? (lines200-205) 32. Why can’t they take the treasure home? (lines 206-211) Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 7 of 10 33. What is the first rioter’s strategy for increasing his share? (lines 230-258) 34. What is the youngest rioter’s plan? (lines 259-274) 35. How does this tale preach against greed? 36. In addition to greed, what sins does the exemplum preach in lines 319-324. 37. How does the narrator feel about what transpires? 38. How is the Pardoner’s audience to avoid the rioters’ fate? (lines 329-339)

Wife of Bath’s Tale Anticipation guide Ask at least 3 female friends/parents/guardians the answer to the following question. It would be BEST if they were three different ages (child, teenager, adult, elderly).

WHAT DO WOMEN WANT MOST?

1. (AGE OF FEMALE______) ANSWER:

The wife of bath’s tale (page 137-155) In creating the Wife of Bath, Chaucer drew upon a centuries-old tradition of anti-feminist writings that was particularly nurtured by the medieval church. In their conviction that the rational, intellectual, spiritual, and, therefore, higher side of human nature predominated in men, whereas the irrational, material, earthly, and, therefore, lower side of human nature predominated in women, St. Paul and the early Church fathers exalted celibacy and virginity above marriage. This pilgrim demonstrates the conflict between bookish male “auctoritee” (authority)—or knowledge of books—with female “experience”—or knowledge of the world.

1. What is the setting for the Wife’s tale? (lines 1-8)

2. How does she contrast the setting of the tale with her own time period?( lines 1-26)

3. How does she account for the change? (lines 10; 23-26)

4. With which act of violence does the Wife’s tale begin? (lines 30-34)

5. How does the king respond? (lines 35-39)

6. What is the queen’s plan for the knight’s fate? (lines 45-58)

7. How long does the queen allow the knight to seek an answer to her question? (line 55)

8. List some of the answers the knight receives when he polls the people he encounters. (lines 71-87)

9. What seems to be the Wife of Bath’s personal opinion? (lines 89-94)

10. In what way does the Wife criticize her own gender? (lines 95-97)

11. What is the story within the story of the Wife’s tale (lines 98-128) Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 8 of 10 12. Why does the Wife pause her original tale to talk about King Midas?

13. What does the knight see on his way home from the quest? (lines 135-150)

14. According to the knight, what do women most want? (lines 183-188)

15. What is the old woman’s request in exchange for the answer? (lines 200-203)

16. How does the old woman rebuke the knight’s behavior on their wedding night? (lines 233-243; lines 254-263)

17. For what four reasons does the knight find the old woman objectionable? (lines 244-249)

18. What do the woman’s debating techniques suggest about her?

19. What does gentility have in common with fire? (lines 285-322)

20. What makes poverty an occasion for dancing?(lines 339-340)

21. What final choice does the woman offer to the knight? (lines 365-373)

22. What is his response? (lines 374-381)

23. What is the Wife of Bath’s opinion on the story’s end? (lines 403-410)

In Class Writing Assignment: On a separate page, draft your allegory. Make sure that each character’s personality reflects the moral of the allegory and the narrator reflects a stereotype from our culture. Give them colorful names, attributes, and events. Use the Wife of Bath’s Tale and the Pardoner’s Tale as examples. Your allegory should have

I. A Prologue that reflects the stereotype of the storyteller who is introducing the story in a unique way II. An exposition that sets the story, characters and situations up III. A narrative hook that signals the beginning of the action and makes the reader want to keep reading IV. Rising action (at least 2 events) that lead up to the Climax V. A Climax with a denouement (turning point) for the main character VI. Falling action that leads to the resolution (at least 2 events) VII. A resolution that signals there is a close and relates the storyteller’s opinion of the story and the sums up the moral/theme.

All-in-all your short story should be NO LESS than one page front and back, but given that it is a minimum and only AVERAGE work, you should always aim for higher if you expect to get more than an AVERAGE grade. Please see the rubric on the back of the assignment sheet for any questions you might have.

*IF you turn in the PLAN with your assignment today you will receive EXTRA CREDIT. When you are finished, you may turn in your story and work on your VOCABULARY which is due TOMORROW or review for your TEST, which is FRIDAY. Whichever task you choose does not require TALKING so you should not DISTURB others around you who are still writing diligently.

Total Points Possible: 45 points

Rubric (content) 24 points Requirements (3 pts each) 21 points Staple in this order: I. The writing assignment II. The plan (if you have it) III. The rubric w/assignment

Planning for your In Class writing assignment: I. Choose one of the modern stereotypes that we discussed in class on the first day of this unit and write it in this blank ______II. Briefly describe what type of story the character would tell; use the Wife of Bath and the Pardoner as exemplars ______Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 9 of 10 ______III. Choose a Moral or Theme for your tale and write it in the Bubble below, followed by the characters and qualities you wish them to express.

IV. Realize that you may plan all you want (even create an outline---highly recommended) of your allegory, but you MUST write the whole thing TOMORROW during class. Other than the plan, the rest of the allegory must be drafted tomorrow.

Carmichael English IV: Social Commentary and Rituals: Canterbury Packet Page 10 of 10