Geoffrey Chaucer “The Father of English Poetry”

The Canterbury

Tales

Knighthood/Nobility: Knight, SquireEducated people: Physician, Lawyer

Religious/Spiritual figures: Monk, Friar, Prioress, Summoner, Pardoner*Chaucer criticizes the corruption/

greed/materialism of religious figures*Chaucer praises the Parson

Toiling Agricultural classes: Middle class, merchants (cook, miller, reeve, wife of Bath, etc.)

Chaucer’s Three Major Social Groups

In Middle Ages, people had to dress according to social class

Wealthy men wore long tunicsWealthy women wore long, flowing

gowns (not designed for manual labor)

Knights (nobility) could wear fur and gold

Merchants COULD NOT wear furPoor- Clothes are old looking,

stained, ragged, tornClothing style = personality

Chaucer’s Medieval Dress Code

People wore layered outfits since homes were not warm and many spent time outdoors

Anyone below the rank of Knight could not wear fur

Women were forbidden from wearing silk head coverings

Members of the Holy Orders (nuns, priests, monks) wore habits that showed which order they belonged to

Medieval Dress Code

Activity: Working with a partner, describe THREE different social groups you notice around Lakeland.

1. Label the social group Ex: Athletes, Thug, Punk, Emo, Socialite, Scholar2. Describe how they dress and explain what the

clothing style says about the group’s personality, attitude, beliefs, regard for rules/authority, etc.

3. Give example of how a person from each social group could break the stereotype in a surprising wayEx: A “nerd” who loves designer labelsRemember, these are stereotypes, so not every person is expected to behave according to these “social norms” of

how they dress!

Social Dress Code:

To protect the weak and defenseless To fear God and follow rules of the ChurchTo serve his Lord with valor and strengthTo live by honor and for gloryTo help orphans and widowsTo fight for the welfare of allNever turn down a challenge from an equalAlways respect the honor of womenTo always speak the truthAlways protect a fellow knightTo show disdain for unfairness, rudeness, and

meanness

Knight’s Chivalric Code of Medieval England

The Knight is described as a character who is chivalrous, noble, and virtuous. What characteristics of “chivalry” do you think still exist in today’s society?

Describe some careers or groups of

people who embody “chivalry” in our society.

Do-Now: Write in Journal for 5 min

What characteristics does Chaucer seem to criticize most in the characters he describes in “The Prologue”?

What characteristics does Chaucer seem to praise?

Which character is your favorite so far and why?

Do-Now: Write for 5 min in Journal

1. Who does your character remind you of in everyday society? (It can be a group of people or one individual) Explain how/why.

2. Which character do you think is the most similar to your character so far in The Canterbury Tales?

3. Is you character someone YOU would befriend? Would you get along with your character?

Character Analysis:

If you had the opportunity to take a “pilgrimage” to a place that is sacred or special to you, where would it be and why? What would you expect to gain from journeying to this place? (Insight, knowledge, adventure, etc.) Explain.

Do-Now: Write for 5 min. in Journal

Which character do you like/enjoy the most? Explain why you relate to this character or enjoy Chaucer’s description of him/her.

What social group would this character fit into in today’s society if he/she went to Lakeland? Why?

Do-Now: Write for 5 min in Journals

a. Have you ever been betrayed after telling someone a secret? Can you ever trust other people? Explain.

Describe the impact of greed in “The Pardoner’s Tale” using examples from the text and your own analysis.

Greed: Pardoner’s Tale

Narratives that have both literal and deeper, symbolic meanings

Allegories tell a moral lesson, much like a fairy tale would

Can be found in poetry, novels, plays, and short stories

Exemplum: Serves as an example about preventing vices such as greed, selfishness, deception, etc.

Pardoner’s Tale is an allegory that acts as an exemplum about the sin of “greed”

The Allegory

ALLEGORIES SHARE THE FOLLOWING TRAITS:

1. Characters, events, and other things that come in threes

2. A test of characters’ morality

3. A mysterious guide who helps point the right way for a character

4. A just ending that rewards good or punishes evil

Archetypal Narrative Storytelling Form

Explain how the following traits were seen in “The Pardoner’s Tale” using examples from the reading.

1. Characters, events, and other things that come in threes

2. A test of characters’ morality3. A mysterious guide who helps point the right way for a character

4. A just ending that rewards good or punishes evil

Archetypal Story: The Pardoner’s Tale

What Allegories can you think of?

Appearance: Modestly dressed; wears a stained tunic with smudges from his armor

Indirect Char: Noble, respectful, distinguished, wise, honorable

Praise of Char: He is an honorable Knight Character’s Actions:

Served nobly in 15 battles protecting EnglandRode in Prussia, Lithuania, North Africa ,

Anatolia, etc. Always killed his enemy in battle

The Knight

Appearance: Young (20), Curly hair, average stature, strong, agile. Wears fresh flowers and colorful attire, short gown with long sleeves

Actions/Deeds: Fiery, lover, valiantly served with cavalry in battle in Flanders, Artois & Picardy ; knows how to joust, dance, and write

Indir. Char: He is passionate, valiant, educated, courteous

Praise/Flaw: Praised for being a good Knight in training and his father’s helper

Squire

Appearance: Wore a coat and hood of green; peacock-feathered arrow, gaudy attire; wears his bow, a medal of St. Christopher, a hunting-horn, etc.

Actions/Deeds: Good at woodcraftIndir. Char: He is very ornate, gaudy,

very prepared for an attack since he is armed at all times

Praise/Flaw: He is a good forester and helper of the Knight

Yeoman(A free man who owns his own farm)

Appearance: Elegant nose, gray eyes, small mouth, wide forehead, graceful attire with trinkets and beads, golden brooch

Actions/Deeds: High ranking nun, smiles very coyly, sings sermons well, speaks daintily in French, good manners and very polite, friendly to others, charitable to animals

Indir. Char: Polite, courtly, proper, sympathetic and sensitive, loving, dainty

Praise/Flaw: Praises her kind heart and good nature, but she is also into social status. She likes material possessions.

Nun

Appearance: Manly, rides his horse with jingling bridle, wears fine furs, gold pin, fat, bald

Actions/Deeds: Loves to hunt, manly, doesn’t follow religious rules, likes to relax, friendly and jolly, rides a beautiful horse, likes to eat

Indir. Char: Modern, not strictly religious, sporty, rebellious, fun-loving, rich

Praise/Flaw: Praises his happy, relaxed demeanor.

Flaw: He is not serious enough for a Monk. He is too interested in sports and leisure rather than prayer

Monk(Supposed to live a chaste life with a vow of poverty and obedience)

Appearance: Keeps his hood filled with pins for curls, white neck, strong, twinkling eyes

Actions/Deeds: He is jolly and festive as a beggar; deals with rich people to make deals; carries gifts to give to women; gets money from rich and poor people to earn profit

Indir. Char: Sweet-talker, smooth, friendly to rich townsfolk; fixes marriages; he absolves people of sins for a gift; sneaky; wealthy

Praise/Flaw: Flaw- he is an opportunist and is money-hungry, selfish, and ruthless.

Praise- he is the best beggar in town and a good money-maker

Friar

Appearance: Beard, dressed well, wears a beaver’s hat and daintily buckled boots

Actions/Deeds: Acts like he is wealthy but is poor; brags of his deeds; negotiates well; loans, bargains, and exchanges currency

Indir. Char: Cares about appearances; has an ego; not frugal

Praise/Flaw: Flaw- he is not frugal and wastes his money for appearances

Praise- he is a good merchant

Merchant

Appearance: Skinny, hollow looking, serious, dressed modestly

Actions/Deeds: Studies diligently; reads Aristotle; doesn’t talk much; uses money to buy books

Indir. Char: Serious, frugal, anti-social; not given to worldly pleasures or fine things; respectful and quiet

Praise/Flaw: Praise- he is dignified and quiet; devoted to learning and gladly teaches others

Oxford Cleric

Appearance: Dresses in a homely coat with a silken belt

Actions/Deeds: Practices law; draws up deeds for property ownership; talks wisely; studies cases of crimes

Indir. Char: Rich; good talker; smart and knowledgeable

Praise/Flaw: Praise- he is smart and retains facts about law and crime

Flaw- he can be long-winded and boring

Sergeant of the Law

Appearance: White beard, happy-looking;

Actions/Deeds: Loves to eat and drink; pleasure-seeker; opens his home to all; served as a Parliamentary representative and Sheriff

Indir. Char: Lives life to the fullest, generous, friendly, rich, hard-working

Praise/Flaw: Praise- he is a model citizen and hard worker and is generous as a host

Franklin (rich landowner)

Appearance: Dress nicely and are trim and fresh; knives made of pure silver

Actions/Deeds: Act wisely, good workers, social climbers, respect their wives wishes to run for office

Indir. Char: Sophisticated, wise, opportunists

Praise/Flaw: Praise- dignified and hard workers

Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter (guild)

Appearance: Has an ulcer on his kneeActions/Deeds: Good cook- makes a

good, thick soup and tasty pieIndir. Char: Has a good reputation as a

cook; not in good healthPraise/Flaw: Praise- good cookFlaw- his bad knee

Cook

Appearance: Wears a woolen gown and a dagger on a lanyard; tan skin, beard

Actions/Deeds: Rides a farmer’s horse poorly; shows no mercy on prisoners fighting overseas

Indir. Char: Ruthless, uncompassionate

Praise/Flaw: Praise- he is wise and never loses to an enemy; Flaw- he is heartless

Skipper

Appearance: Wears blood-red garments and fine silk taffeta

Actions/Deeds: Knowledgeable in astronomy, surgery, medicine; uses stars/astronomy to cure illnesses; prescribes medicines to cure the humors; loves gold

Indir. Char: Good doctor; knowledgeable; not religious; somewhat corrupt; wealthy, but stingy with money

Praise/Flaw: He uses stars and voodoo to cure patients, but doesn’t look at their condition; He is sinful and loves gold

Doctor

Appearance: Gap-toothed, large hips, and partially deafwears nice fabric garments wears a kerchief on her headnice shoes bold and attractive looking; red face

Actions/Deeds: Makes cloth skillfully; had 5 husbands; has travelled to Jerusalem, Rome, and other pilgrimages; dances; gives advice on love

Indir. Char: Adventurer, bold, saucy, loves men, friendly, talkative

Praise/Flaw: Praise- she is fun-loving and boldFlaw: Hot-tempered; married many times

Wife of Bath

Appearance: Poor looking, Actions/Deeds: Preaches God’s gospel; kind-

hearted; very giving to parishioners; doesn’t like taking money from others; visits people in need; never judges people for their sins; a shepherd who watches over his flock

Indir. Char: Religious; good person; not materialistic and cares little for money; honest; good role model of piety and devotion

Praise/Flaw: Praise- he is the best parson/priest around. He is a perfect example of a virtuous, religious man

Parson

Appearance: Wears a loose jacket, not dressed well; dirty from working the land

Actions/Deeds: Helps his brother, the Parson and is a good worker; follows the Gospel; loves God and others; helps the poor

Indir. Char: Honest and virtuousPraise/Flaw: Praise- he is a good man

who follows his religious beliefs and serves as a good example for others

Plowman

Appearance: Heavy; stocky man; strong and brawny; red beard; nose has a wart; wide nostrils; wears a sword and buckler; big mouth

Actions/Deeds: He steals grain; likes to show off his strength- breaking down door hinges; wrestles well; tells stories of his corruption; plays bagpipes often

Indir. Char: He is a trouble-maker; prone to fighting; show-off; tough guy

Praise/Flaw: Flaw- he is corrupt and mischievous

Miller

Appearance: (he’s not wealthy)Actions/Deeds: In charge of

buying/storing books and provisions for Court of Law; can’t read, but is not foolish; good decision-maker; frugal with money

Indir. Char: Very meticulous; careful; frugal; wise; good decision-maker

Praise/Flaw: Praise- he knows more than the educated people

Manciple

Appearance: Old, sickly, thin; short hair and beard; looks like a priest; thin legs

Actions/Deeds: Runs his master’s land; Stores grain neatly; judges crops/grain from rainfall; better bargainer than his lord; knowledgeable about farming

Indir. Char: Good farmer; hard-worker; smart and can’t be outwitted by others; serious/tough

Praise/Flaw: Praise- good worker and smart

Reeve

Appearance: Red-faced; face has boils; narrow eyes; thin beard; scary looking; wears a medallion and head wreath

Actions/Deeds: Lecherous, dirty man; loves to get drunk; talks in Latin when drunk; loud; likes garlic and wine; brings people to court for sins, but lets people pay him wine to absolve them of sleeping with concubines/girlfriends (sinful!)

Indir. Char: Immoral; doesn’t follow rules of order or law; indulgent/lavish; obnoxious

Praise/Flaw: Flaw- he is corrupt and dishonestPraise- he is easy-going and nice to people

Summoner

Appearance: Long hair as yellow as wax; bulging eyes; doesn’t wear a hood; wears a holy relic on his cap; no facial hair

Actions/Deeds: Rides with Summoner; just visited Rome; absolves people of sins for a fee; carries around false versions of Our Lady’s veil and a goblet of St. Peter’s and religious relics

Indir. Char: He is a liar; sneaky; loves moneyPraise/Flaw: Flaw-he is corrupt and a liarPraise- he acts like a nobleman and tells good

stories

Pardoner

Appearance: Bright eyes; heavy set; Actions/Deeds: Serves fine food and

wine; speaks boldly; talks of sport and funny things

Indir. Char: Friendly; warm to others; bold and blunt; merry; likes to be entertained; good leader

Praise/Flaw: Praise- he is a good host; likes to be amused and merry

Host