Canterbury Tales Prologue Review

an honest worker--his brother, the parson, is one of the few pilgrims more virtuous

key term: devotee on a journey to a holy place like a shrine

key term: sacrifices something of high value, like life, for a principle or cause

literary term: holds human vice up to ridicule and scorn

literary term: narrative used to set the stage for smaller stories within

literary term: uses satire and cynicism to mock its characters

What was the popular time of year for medieval pilgrimages?

How many tales was each pilgrim supposed to tell?

What are the three types of people (classes) the author uses in his satire?

Who proposes the story telling contest?

What is the prize for the story telling contest?

a seamstress, loves to laugh and chat, a bit deaf, had five husbands and wore red hose and a hat as big as a shield

carries bow, arrows, sword and shield, a hunting horn and is dressed in green—traveled as a servant; St. Christopher is his guide

said to be discreet and wise, knowledgeable and a fine conveyancer, always on the go (but not quite as busy as he seems to be)

He summons sinners to church court; children are afraid of him due to his red pimply face and stinky breath; not so bright and enjoys fine red wine

steals wine from the trader, not very good at riding the farmer's horse (stolen)--always sends his prisoners home via the plank

Which social class does Chaucer show the most corruption; who does he poke the most fun at (a social group)?

a landowner and a public servant with a white beard who lives for pleasure--keeps his home full of good food and drink; has a temper with bad cooks

sounds like a goat, has no beard and bulging eyes--makes money selling pardons and showing fake holy relics like Mary's veil

a boastful and great stout fellow who loves to wrestle; he knows many filthy tavern stories and is a master at stealing grain

the youngest pilgrim; he can ride and fight, sing songs and recite poems; always looks his best for the ladies--both lusty and vain

took vows-- but spends hours with pretty girls, wealthy dames and barmaids; he says the sick and poor are beneath him

ignores the "old fashioned" Rules of Saint Benet and Maur--he loves to hunt and eat a fat swan roasted whole not study in the cloister

He cannot (or will not) find a job and spends borrowed money on books-- not on food for himself or his horse

practices what he preaches, poor in material goods, but rich in holy thoughts and deed-- cares for his flock and neglects none; travels with his brother

knows the humors and uses astronomy in his work--runs a scam with the apothecary to make some extra gold

How many tales did Chaucer intend to write?

feeds her little dogs bread, meat and milk-- she acts very dainty but has some girth, loves to speak french and imitate courtly grace

What is the name of the inn where the pilgrims meet?

Name the author of The Canterbury Tales.

What was the social class of the CT's author

Which was the only church in Medieval England?

Identify one of the many reasons people went on pilgrimage.

Name the king who wondered who could rid him of his former friend--the meddlesome priest

Why did Chaucer write in the "common vernacular" (not Latin or French)?

Name the martyr buried in the shrine at Canterbury

trusted manager of a nobleman's estate; has grown quite rich by being frugal; feared by those beneath him

Who are the only members of nobility on the pilgrimage?

father of the squire, lord of the Yeoman-- fights in crusades, honorable, humble, and true

How long did the walk to Canterbury take?

has a forked beard and beaver hat--he likes to talk about money and trade but is secretly in debt

works for the newly rich guildsmen--is an expert in his trade but has an oozing sore on his leg

watches the market when buying supplies-- illiterate but "street smart" and can trick his educated bosses

what we call the language the CT was written in

Why were "the tales" never finished?

In this time period-- why did Catholics buy pardons?

place where Thomas Becket was murdered by knights

a holy journey, a trip for religious purposes

the penalty for refusing to participate or accept the host's judgement

newly rich members of a guild, took care of their things--wives pushed them to success

What were the two things the host says he will judge the tales on?

What do we call the english Chaucer wrote in?

Why did Chaucer write in the common vernacular (not french or latin)?

Where are the pilgrims going?

Which three qualities does Chaucer say he will identify in of all the pilgrims?

How many pilgrims are there including Chaucer?

Which sin can you connect with the fact that the Squire "sleeps as little as a nightingale."

The Friar says that he is "allowed" to forgive sins (that was unlikely), but what did the sinner have to do for forgiveness?

Why is it ironic that the merchant is an expert with currency exchange?

How does the clerk pay back his friends?

Why might we say that the Woman from Bath (Wife of Bath) is guilty of lust?

Who has a read beard and plays the bagpipes as the pilgrims leave town.