Canterbury Tales

Page 86 - Geoffrey Chaucer (Author Information)

1. What year is it believed that Chaucer was born? What year did he die?

2. How many tales did Chaucer intend to write for The Canterbury Tales? How many were completed?

3. Where are the characters traveling to in The Canterbury Tales?\

4. What is Chaucer considered?

5. Where was Chaucer buried?

Page 86 - Background for Understanding

6. What are pilgrimages?

7. What did people usually visit on pilgrimages? For what reason?

8. Where is Canterbury located? What happened there?

Page 87 - Grammar and Style

9. What is the "past tense"?

10. What does Chaucer use the "past perfect tense" to indicate?

Page 87 - Literary Focus

11. What is characterization?

12. What is the difference between direct and indirect characterization? Explain.

The Canterbury Tales

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13. Within what month does the poem begin?

14. According to the footnote, when did the pilgrimage begin?

15.  In “The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales,” Chaucer describes “Zephyrus” (the west wind) as having “sweet breath.” How is this description an example of personification? Explain.(L.11-12.5)

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16. What is a martyr? Who is the martyr whose grave the pilgrims are on their way to visit?

17. Is the narrator part of the pilgrimage? How do you know? Explain.

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18. Why is the Knight first in the General Prologue and first to tell a tale? Based on the social standing of the Knight, why do you think the author had the Knight tell his story first? Explain.  Describe some of the values the Knight has sworn to uphold?

19. How many battles has the knight been in?

20. Who is traveling alongside the knight?

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21. How is the Yeoman described? How are his clothes described? Provide examples from the text.

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22. How is the Nun described? Cite specific examples of how well mannered she is from the text.

23. The Nun is described as being "solicitous." What is the meaning of this term?

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24. Look at the picture of the Monk on page 93. What can you infer from this picture about the Monk's style of living? List three details supporting your conclusion. (Infer)

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25. Although holy men are not supposed to hunt, the monk hunts anyway. What does this say about his dedication to the teachings of the church?

26. How is the Monk's physical appearance described?

27. Which character is introduced after the Monk?

28. The Friar is said to be a "Limiter." According to the footnotes, what is a "Limiter"?

29. Besides begging, how else does the Friar make money? What is term for this act?

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30. Which lines let you know that the Friar enjoys drinking alcohol? How is this an example of indirect characterization?

31. Read line 247. How is this an example of direct characterization?

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32. Read lines 277-278. Is this a simile or metaphor? How do you know? What is being compared? Explain.

33. Which character is introduced after the Friar?

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34. According to line 290, what does nobody know about the Merchant?

35. What does the Oxford Cleric spend all his time and money on?

36. Which character is introduced after the Oxford Cleric?

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37. Who is the Franklin?

38. What does the Franklin believe is the most important goal in life? What types of things help him achieve this goal?

39. Which 5 characters are introduced after the Franklin?

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40. What are some of the culinary skills the Cook possesses?

41. What does the Skipper do with prisoners he captures from other ships? (According to line 410)

42. Who is introduced after the Skipper?

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43. Look at the picture on page 100. What does the Wife of Bath's body language convey about her character?

Page 101

44. How does the Wife of Bath dress?

45. Irony is the difference between appearance and reality. The following line, “And thries hadde she been at Jerusalem.” from “The Wife of Bath” signifies the religious nature of the wife. However, her morality is somewhat questionable. Why is her morality questionable? How does this create an ironic situation? Explain. (RL.11-12.1)

46. Who is introduced after the Wife of Bath? 

47. Who does the Parson differ from most of the other religious figures already introduced? Which lines provide examples of his commendable behavior?

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48. Read lines 523 and 524. Is this an example of a simile or a metaphor? How do you know? What is being compared explain.

49. Who is introduced next? How is his behavior similar to that of the Parson? Provide examples from the text.

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50. How is the Miller's physical appearance described?

51. According to lines 583 and 584, what instrument does the Miller play?

52. Who is introduced after the Miller?

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53. How is the Summoner's face described?

54. Lines 652 to 654 let us know that the Summoner most likely had horrible breath. What clues let us know this? Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? Why?

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55. Read line 664. What is the question that the Summoner asks himself?

56. Who rides alongside the Summoner?

57. What color is the Pardoner's hair?

58. Read line 704. Is this an example of a metaphor or a simile? How do you know? What is being compared? 

59. How is the Pardoner's facial hair described in line 709?

60. Look at the picture on page 106. How well does this picture of the Pardoner match the author's description of him. (Assess)

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61. What types of things does the Pardoner carry around with him? Are they real? What does he use these things to do?

62. What makes the Pardoner so offensive? Describe the Pardoner’s job. Why would this be a job that people may look down on? 

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63. What is the name of the hostelry (hotel) that the pilgrims are staying at? What is the name of the hotel close beside it? (Lines 738 and 739)

64. Read line 769. By using context clues, what do you think the term "victuals" refers to? What is served alongside the victuals? (Line 770)

65. What adjectives would you use to describe the Host?

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66. Read lines 811 and 812. What does the Host tell each of the pilgrims they must do in order to make the trip more enjoyable?

67. What does the Host say he will purchase for the pilgrim who tells the best story?

68. Read lines 825 and 826. What does the host say will happen to anyone who does not obey his rules?

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69. How do the pilgrims decide who will tell their story first?

70. Imagine you are making a modern version of The Canterbury Tales. Who would the characters be? Who would be playing them? Where would they be traveling to? Explain.