The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Name ___________________________________

English 12 – Mr. McGuire

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The Prologue (pages 94-114)

1. Annotate and then paraphrase the opening lines to the Prologue.

Paraphrase:

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2. Where are the pilgrims traveling and for what reason? 3. How is the time of year in which they are traveling meaningful? Refer to “The Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales Character Chart for character analysis. 4. What point of view does the narrator use? How does this shape the information that is presented about the pilgrims? 5. What information does the narrator give about himself?

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The Pardoner’s Tale (pages 117-122)

1. What are the three rioters doing at the beginning of the tale? What do the opening lines imply about the character of the rioters? 2. How does the rioters’ treatment of the tavern-knave and the old man characterize the rioters? 3. When the rioters go in search of Death, what do they find under the oak tree? What symbolic association about greed might Chaucer be making? 4. “The Pardoner’s Tale” is a “cautionary tale” that’s purpose is to warn listeners of certain types of behavior. After reading this story, note the character’s defect or sin and then consider what happens to the character. From this, draw some conclusions about the lesson that the tale is trying to teach. Character’s Defect or Sin: What Happens: Lesson Learned:

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The Wife of Bath’s Tale (pages 125-138)

1. How has Christianity replaced paganism in King Arthur’s time? 2. What question does the knight have to answer in order to save his life? 3. How does the knight expect ultimately to free himself through faith? 4. What bargain does the old woman make with the knight? 5. What is the ironic connection between the answer to the queen’s question and the requirement that the old woman demands of the knight? 6. Summarize the ending of “The Wife of Bath’s Tale.” What is the moral of the story?