1 The Canterbury Tales Prologue Review What is Chaucer's main reason for writing about the pilgrimage in the Prologue? To create a setting for telling

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The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales Prologue ReviewPrologue Review

What is Chaucer's main reason for writing about the pilgrimage in the Prologue?

To create a setting for telling stories about Medieval England.

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What was the purpose of the trip?

Take a pilgrimage to Canterbury to visit the shrine of St. Thomas

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Where do they meet? Where are they going?

They meet in Southwark (suburb of London) at the Tabard Inn.

They are going to Canterbury.

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In the Prologue, what does the narrator think of the Monk?

His love of comfort and hunting shows that he is selfish.

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•What is the Wife’s attitude toward other women in church?

She is proud and demands attention over other women in the church

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According to the Prologue, how many tales will each pilgrim tell on the journey?

Two on the trip there and two on the return trip back to London.

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•How would you describe Chaucer’s tone in the Prologue?

Critical and judgmental

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•Who seems to rally or lead the group?

The Host, Harry Bailey

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•What seems to motivate the Friar the most when attempting to “help others”?

What he can get from them . . . Gifts, money, etc…

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Which best describes Chaucer's attitude toward the Nun and all her dainty/mannerly behavior?

He takes amusement in observing her . . . Similar to “making fun of” someone.

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•What did the Friar base his penance on?

Extortion / bribery – easy penance could be bought with money and / or gifts.

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•How does Chaucer describe the Pardoner’s hair and what might that mean?

Like rats’ tails . . . . He’s a rat!

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•What good and bad does Chaucer see in the Franklin?

While he is very generous and giving, he seems a bit obsessed with food.

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•What did the Student do with money received from friends?

He’d spend it on books

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•How did he repay them?

He’d pray for them.

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•How does Chaucer see the Plowman?

He was a hard-working, virtuous, Christian farmer.

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•How does he see the Miller?

Crude, rude buffoon who steals grain.

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•Why does he present the Miller after the Plowman?

He accentuates each character’s personality traits because they are direct opposites.

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•What is an odd physical trait about the skipper?

He had a dagger hanging from a lanyard hidden inside his coat.

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•Who wore a St. Christopher’s medal? What does it mean?

Yeoman – patron Saint of travelers . . . . He traveled a lot as an attendant to the Knight (who fought in the Crusades).

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•What law / belief did the doctor practice in diagnosing patient treatments?

Law of the “four humors” – hot/cold & wet/dry

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•Who lived by a strict code of conduct?

Knight – code of chivalry

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• What was gross about the cook?

He made the best creamy chicken . . . Oh yea, he had a puss-oozing ulcer on his knee . . .

. . . .coincidence?

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•What was the Squire most concerned with?

His looks and impressing the ladies.

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•Who was the most honorable church-figure?

Parson . . . Holy-minded, selfless, puts his parishioners first on his priority list.

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• What was gross physical quality did the Summoner possess?

Carbuncles on his face (puss filled) . . . implied STD (lecherous)

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1 The Canterbury Tales Prologue Review What is Chaucer's main reason for writing about the pilgrimage in the Prologue? To create a setting for telling