Unit 3 Test

The Serjeant at the Law

- his speech gives him the appearance of being wise but Chaucer undercuts him saying he is not sure he is as wise as he seems - his fame, learning & high position had won him many a robe and fee - although there was no one that seemed to be as busy as he he was not actually as busy as he seemed -very knowledgable about court cases and decisions - despite all his money and worth he wears a simple coat, Chaucer does not think it is worth his time to describe his appearance except for his coat - emphasis on his personality and brains vs appearance (for the women on the pilgrimage and in the journey it is typically opposite) Chaucer the Canterbury tales

The wife of the miller in the reeve's tale

- illegitimate daughter of a priest and someone he had sex with, brags about her class standing and her education in the nunnery anyways not realizing that her position is undesirable and she should have some sense of shame - being mocked for being stupid and genetically unclean because her father was a priest who got some poor girl pregnant, yet she still brags about it -this doesn't make her seem like a real person, just a caricature of a silly woman - Has no name: objectifies her as a sex object -treated as property that can be compensated for stolen goods (the corn) - The mother is so stupid that she can't even tell she isn't with her husband

The Doctor

- learned in astronomy, nobody can talk of medicine and surgery like he can because of this: he watches the stars and uses his horoscope to cure them - he takes good care of his patients but sometimes tricks them into buying more than they need - has studied more medicine than the bible - dressed well, takes good care of himself Chaucer the Canterbury tales

The miller in the reeve's tale

- likes to fight - carries multiple weapons - enjoys wrestling - married the illegitimate daughter of a local cleric - nobody in town bothers to look at or woo his wife because they are so afraid of him - cheats his customers by "padding" their bags with less-expensive substances - when the person in charge of the local school gets sick he charges him even more for grinding his corn

The Friar

- member of an order who lives entirely by begging - can hear confessions, supposedly he was given a license by the pope - lady's man (questions members of the church and their morals) - pays not attention to the poor or the beggars because they can give him nothing: ironic since his order lives of begging - knows the taverns of the town and their barmaids well - courteous and pleasing wherever a profit might follow - earns his wage by doing more than begging: sleeping around, settling discussions for a small fee, etc. - despite his vow of poverty the donations he collects allow him to dress well and live richly Chaucer the Canterbury tales

The daughter in the reeve's tale

- primarily described by her rump and her breasts - basically raped by Alan - no name: objectifies her as a sex object -treated as property that can be compensated for stolen goods (the corn) - okay with what Alan does to her -even tells him where the stuff her father stole is, thus betraying her father. This is unrealistic, she has no semblance to any human being and is deprived of all her humanity to be a story telling prop and get a few cheap laughs

Summoner

- rosy face - hot and lecherous as a sparrow - covered in zits and carbuncles on his face that no medicines can cure - for a quart of wine he would allow any lad to keep a concubine - he can be paid off to keep a secret of an affair - has some men in the diocese under his thumb because he knows their secrets - has a thing with the pardoner - Chaucer thinks he's a joke

What is the Miller's tone toward Allison?

- she is associated with a motif of baby animals and nature - implies that how she's acting is a natural way for her to behave - the narration implies that the carpenter should've seen this coming because a codger should not expect to marry a young beautiful girl like Alison and expect something like this not to happen - she' just a kid. Puts blame on the sixty year old man who married her and was stupid enough to rent his house out to a young college student - a sex object - depicted as a lollypop - piece of candy with no nutritional value - even though she is a commoner, she is good enough to be wed to upper status people: she married below her - she exercises her own will in the story and makes her own sexual decisons - the miller admires her - stems from the fact she is married to a codger - gets away scot free, aka she's the only one who walks away without being hurt or humiliated. This shows a respect for women because she has more power than the woman in the knight's story - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Merchant

- sits high on his horse & brags about his increasing capital (profits) - expert at working in exchanges, no one knew he was in debt - despite the fact that he is tricky when it comes to money, Chaucer thinks he is overall an okay human being Chaucer the Canterbury tales

The squire

- sympathetic towards him - he is young and a lady's man - carved to serve his father - picture of youth: curly locks, singing and fluting, embroidered like a meadow and in bright colors such as red and white - no mention of why he is going on the trip, at the most it is probably because he lives to serve his father Chaucer the Canterbury tales

Yeoman

- sympathetic towards him - Chaucer doesn't think much of him: "he was a proper forester, I guess" - ridin solo - wears bright coat of green with peacock feathers at his belt - archer, knows woodcraft well Chaucer the Canterbury tales

The Reeve

- tells a fabliau (a dirty, humorous story popular among the lower class) - has a lot of money stored away that he breaks out to kiss up to his lord - a carpenter of first rate skill - good at hiding money/loans that he has yet to pay off - his story is a direct response to the miller's tale -dorky, old, out of style old guy telling a creepy story - he has anger issues - he hangs around the back of the group - he is bitter, miserable and lonely (not happy, free confused and lonely at the same time like Taylor Swift !!), this shows that there are successful people who have something wrong with them

5 Wits in Everyman

-Counselors for Everyman -loyal and helpfuk, unlike the initial characters - says there is no emperor, King, duke, etc that holds the power a priest has been given by God -says the priests holds the keys to redemption - the best thing Everyman can do is get the sacraments because they will bring him to salvation -Promise to not leave Everyman through "sweet nor sour" -Tells Everyman they will make the journey with him, but is the last to forsake him (because when you age/die your wits eventually leave you) -Everyman took 5 Wits to be his best friend **Everyman by Anonymous

God in Everyman

-Depicted as a disappointed father figure who put all his hopes in man, only to have everyman ignore God. -Does not approve of materialistic people -says humans are worse than beasts now -says Everyman must go on a pilgrimage -It is understood that God wants people to receive the sacraments because he gave priests the incredible power to perform them -does not accept excuses from Everyman -merciful -sacrificed a lot for Everyman -sends Death to Everyman to send a message/show Everyman his power

Beauty in Everyman

-Everyman leads Beauty -loyal and helpfuk, unlike the initial characters - does not want to smother in the grave -he says he is deaf and will not hear Everyman's cries or look back when he leaves -Tells Everyman he will stay until the end of the journey -Agrees to make the journey, but is the first to forsake Everyman in the end because Beauty does not last forever, and leaves with old age and death **Everyman by Anonymous

Discretion in Everyman

-Everyman leads Discretion -loyal and helpfuk, unlike the initial characters -gives virtuous monition -wherever strength goes he follows, so he leaves as well -Gives Everyman advice and deliberation -Promises to partake on the journey, but is the third to last to forsake Everyman, because as you get older and die you lose your Discretion **Everyman by Anonymous

Strength in Everyman

-Everyman leads him -loyal and helpfuk, unlike the initial characters -says Everyman is old enough to finish the journey on his own -says Everyman is a fool to complain that he is leaving and is waistline his time complaining as well and should just enter his grave already -Will stand by Everyman in distress and battle -Promises to come on the journey with him, but is the second to forsake him at the last minute because Strength only lasts so long on Earth **Everyman by Anonymous

Death in Everyman

-God's messenger; God sends him to show Everyman his power/send a message -Does not approve of materialistic people because he doesn't deal in materialistic things -Sent to take Everyman to his judgement; gives Everyman time to prove his true friends in life/try to find a companion to bring -Comes like a thief in the night, and without any warning - At god's service, ready to fulfill his commandments -will strike with a dart those who love riches and live like beasts -does not spare any man, no man dreads him **Everyman by Anonymous

What Is Chaucer's attitude toward the Wife of Bath?

-Grudging admiration: she is devious, and strong despite all pf her hardships -Impressed but wary of her -strangely entertained by her **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

What is significant about the Pardoner's role in The Wife of Bath's prologue?

-He encourages the wife to talk about her sexual relationships with her husbands so that he can learn what it is like to have a relationship with a woman, perhaps to fabricate stories to hide his relationship with the summoner -the pardoner says he's going to get married (but the Wife of Bath's talk intimidates him from actually getting married). This is probably true, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a relationship with the summoner. Men marry women during this time period, its a norm that he must do socially. He is a man who has lied all his life, and living honestly is not an option for him anymore, so he does not place any value on honesty **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

What does Everyman do when Death approaches him?

-He is completely taken off guard and so he asks for twelve more years/more time -He tries to bribe Death by offering him materialistic things -Asks if he might bring a companion **Everyman by Anonymous

How is Everyman's voyage a pilgrimage?

-His journey is a pilgrimage because it contains both the outward and inward journeys necessary to qualify a journey a a pilgrimage. Everyman's outward journey is the preparations he makes to meet with Death with his friends while he journeys to meet God and receive judgement. Evidence of this can be seen when Death tells Everyman that "before God thou shalt answer." Further proof of this is seen on the last page of the text, when Everyman encounters the Angel, an obviously holy figure come to assist Everyman as he completes his pilgrimage. Everyman's inward journey and sacred goal is to be ready to properly die. This is why he goes to Confrssion, does penance, helps Good-Deeds, etc. at the end of the text, so he can complete his inward journey. **Everyman by Anonymous

Knowledge in Everyman

-Tells Everyman he will journey with him, but then forsakes him in the end (because as you get older and die your knowledge will leave you) -sister to Good Deeds -brings Everyman to confession, the cleansing river -gives Everyman a garment of sorrow that represents contrition and is made with knowledge's own tears -When Knowledge comes into Everyman's life it symbolizes that Everyman has gained the knowledge of the truth of his ways -Inspires Everyman to take the sacraments **Everyman by Anonymous

The Emerging Middle Class

1) Mercantile Class - merchants, skilled laborers who can sell their work 2) Intellectual Class - learned, studied philosophy and Latin , very educated, often become ordained after they graduate from university, enter a religious order when you go to university *the Canterbury tales is largely about this class structure

What are the four sins that the Pardoner describes the youngsters from Flanders are doing and what does he say about them?

1) gluttony - the sin that first caused the fall of mankind in Eden 2) drunkenness - makes a man seem mad and witless 3) gambling - the temptation that rules men of power and wealth 4) swearing - the pardoner argues that it so offends God that he forbade swearing in the second commandment (placing it higher on the list than homicide)

In what wayS does the miller cheat the scholars? Why is this significant?

1) he cheats them on how much corn he grinds them, he gives some of it to his wife and daughter 2) because the scholars spend all day chasing their horses in the field they must also pay the miller to stay the night This is significant because it questions social class standards and ideas. The miller is trying to make the point that the two scholars can study all they want yet they cannot fool him. This questions the social class system because if the scholars are not smarter than the classes below them then why should they be above them?

Name the two types of Chaucer

1. The author (first person to write down things people have been saying for a very long time) 2. The narrator/pilgrim

When was the Battle of Hastings

1066

The medieval era years (for the purposes of this class)

1066 - 1486

Who is the pardoner's tale about?

3 Youngsters from Flanders

The Franklin

*A Franklin is a landowner of free but noble birth - sanguine man -lived for please -beard as white as a daisy petal - Epicurus' only son (Ancient Greek philosopher) - bountiful; no one had a better stock of wine - Chaucer approved of/idealized him: he is a model of landed gentry Chaucer the Canterbury tales

Alan from the reeve's tale

- a student at the school that the miller is cheating the sick headmaster - convinces the headmaster to let him go with his friend John to watch the miller grind their corn the next time so he won't cheat them - sleeps with the miller's daughter when he stays the night, justifies it by saying that it is only fair since the miller cheated him that he get something in return -gets into the miller's bed when morning comes thinking it is his and john's bed; tells the miller he had sex with his daughter and a fight ensues

John from the reeve's tale

- a student at the school the miller is cheating the headmaster - convinced the headmaster to let him and Alan watch the miller grind their corn so he doesn't cheat the school next time - moved the baby's cradle next to his bed after Alan goes to sleep with the daughter so that he can trick her into sleeping with him

What is a morality play?

A dramatized allegory, depicting a battle for the human soul whose main character represents humanity

Romance

A fantastical narrative (can't possibly have happened in real life) in verse (most are in verse - poetry) or prose (normal writing) that usually features a heroic knight on a quest. It contains elements of chivalry and at least some element of heterosexual love (never a central thing, typically on the side) and the courtly love ideal (only talking about aristocrats).

Exemplum

An anecdote designed to teach a moral lesson (The pardoner's tale) (the moral lesson in the pardoner's tale is the love of money is the root of all evil)

Who is the author of Everyman?

Anonymous

List a few aspects of chivalry

Aspects of chivalry: - Physical strength - Bravery - Discipline - Sense of self sacrifice - Need to protect the weak (women, children, elderly, poor, powerless) - Loyal - Generous - Of noble bearing - posture, the way you looked and held yourself made it seem like you were of nobility - Conscious of being a representative of the upper class - Truthful - Respectful - Honorable - Obedient to authority - Can't refuse a challenge from an equal - Defender of the church - Pious - goes to church, follows the faith (catholic) - Perseveres - Despises monetary reward - it's for the glory, honor, and greater good of God - Merciful & epitome of civilized people - Fierce to his enemies, will fight to the death on the battle field (the crusades, fighting the infidels, fighting to protect the holy land) - Gentle - Gracious - Mannerly - Polite - Observe good manners **not all knights observed these habits, many of them were running around rampant! They were a killing machine on the field that could not become a gentle person off of it.

What is the significance of the end of the Wife of Bath's tale?

It ends with an old woman happily married to a young man. This seems to reflect her inner wishes: she wants to marry again, but is worried she won't find another husband because she is getting older, and these types of "happily ever afters" will only ever happen in stories. **The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Chanticleer's Dream

Chanticleer dreamt that he was roaming up and down the yard when he saw a beast that tried to seize him and would have killed him. The beast's color was a mix of yellow and red, his tail was stripped with sable fur. He had a small snout and glowing eyes. Chanticleer explains to his scornful wife that dreams should be listened to but after he is done explaining he brushes the dream off and begins to talk about how lovely pertelote is. He quotes a Latin saying which he says means that women are delight and bliss but is really a dig at women. Later when the fox appears The Nun's Priest says that he has nothing against women but Chanticleer thinks women and their counsel are to blame, just look at what happened to Adam and Eve.

What style of living comes with the French Revolution

Chivalry

Describe the concept of/basic plot idea of The Canterbury Tales

Concept: A pilgrimage to Canterbury. In Canterbury there is a big cathedral where St Thomas à Becket was murdered by indirect request of king Henry (he was venting to his knights and they took him seriously; miracles start happening here). The pilgrims will have a story telling contest on the way, they will each tell one story on the way there and one on the way back. The winner will have a huge dinner paid for by the host. The story stresses the importance/complexity of the human character.

After going to Confession, receiving penance, and receiving contrition, how does Everyman feel?

Everyman has no fear of the journey now that he has done these things and will be accompanied by Good Deeds to judgement. **Everyman by Anonymous

Give a one sentence explanation about what Everyman is about.

Everyman is about meeting death well and how to die properly.

How is Everyman representative of an "ordinary" person?

Everyman is representative of an "ordinary" person because he is not without sin, and he is afraid of Death. Even though he is the main character of this poem, his tendency to embody human nature (i.e. His desire for companionship and asking for more time/one more chance when it is too late) proves him to be more similar to an ordinary person, rather than a hero. **Everyman by Anonymous

What is John worried about when Alan goes to sleep with the daughter? What does this say about typical male characteristics and female stereotypes back then?

John is worried that he will look like a fool for not only being outsmarted by the miller but not having a story like Alan's to make up for it. This is important because it not only objectifies the women as nothing more than something to sleep with/a story to tell but basically says that it is manly for a man to rape a woman

What does the miller in the Reeve's tale think of the two scholars, Alan and John?

He believes that "the greatest scholar is not the wisest man" aka there are some things you can't learn in school, this is why he is still able to cheat them by untying their horses.

Messenger from Everyman

Narrates the first few lines of Everyman, explaining what the text will be about. Makes some religious references -says how transitory life can be -sin may be sweet in the beginning but causes your soul to weep in the end - fellowship, jollity, strength, pleasure & beauty will leave you -Everyman by Anonymous

Is the Canterbury tales an allegory?

No, but it has allegorical qualities

Contrast the beginning of the Reeve's tale to the end

The beginning of the reeve's tale is lighthearted but very quickly takes a sinister turn for the worst. At the end the audience is left wondering how something that started out fairly innocently could turn into such a dark tale.

What do the three youngsters find under the tree in the pardoner's tale instead of death? Why is this ironic?

They find 8 bushels of gold coins with no owner in sight. This is ironic because although they do not find death whom they thought was a person the gold coins ultimately are the cause of their death because they drive each of the youngsters mad with greed.

How do the scholars get back at the miller? Why is this significant?

They sleep with his wife and his daughter, beat him over the head, and escape with the cake and without paying. This is significant because although they could not outsmart the miller as planned they still manage to keep the social classes in order, proving that the miller is at the bottom where he belongs (this point allows the reeve to get back at the miller, emphasizing/insulting his stupidity and low ranking)

Why is the host insulted by the pardoner's tale?

the pardoner's story is preaching against tavern sins and the host owns a tavern (the pardoner talks about this because it's a common type of sin)

Beast Fable

uses animals to point out a moral lesson about people (allows people to laugh and make a point without being to preach-y) (perfectly suitable for children, on one level it's simple on another it's much more complicated)

Ecclesiastical courts

church courts to determine if someone should be excommunicated (formally kicked out of the church and are basically sentenced to go to hell)

What is the tone of the nun's priest's tale?

satirical, it will comically or satirically imitate the style of an epic. It treats a mundane topic in a heightened manner.

Indulgences

"Religious relics" or other items sold to the people. When they bought them they were forgiven from sin and their time in purgatory was erased. Basically scams.

Beast Fable

-A short, simple story designed to Tracy a moral lesson. Animals exhibit human frailties. - The nun's priest tale is an example of this - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

What does Everyman do with his riches before he dies?

He gives half of his riches to the poor - this shows development of character because he changes from materialistic to charitable **Everyman by Anonymous

What does the pardoner do after he has finished his tale?

He realizes he has relics in his bag and begins to solicit them to the pilgrims. However, nobody falls for his tricks because he has already told them they are all fakes.

How does the pardoner address himself

He recognizes his own hypocrisy and corruption and embraces it. He accuses himself of the very things he preaches against. His love of money is greater than his morals.

Fabliau

Humorous, bawdy story that was popular among the lower classes

Describe the Pardoner's tale: is it really a story?

The pardoner's tale is more like a sermon, he says that he's told it many times before and has it memorized aka this is what he preaches to get people to buy his indulgences

What is one of the main points of the poem that Everyman says outright?

"All things faileth, save God alone" **Everyman by Anonymous

Death in The Pardoner's tale

Death is a character in the pardoner's tale. He is not embodied by a physical person but is personified as one.

Why does Chaucer have the reeve treat women this way?

He's not just trying to get a few cheap laughs, there were women during this time period like this.

What are the seven deadly sins?

Pride, wrath, greed, gluttony, sloth, envy, lust

How does each youngster die in the pardoner's tale?

The youngest is murdered when he comes back with refreshments. The two older drink the poisoned wine.

Frame Story

When you have a story within a story (The Canterbury Tales is an example of this)

How does the two youngsters' plan to murder the third backfire?

While the third is in town getting refreshments he realizes he could be the richest man in town if he kills off the other two men. So he heads to the apothecary and buys poison, putting it into two bottles of wine.

The poor old widow in The Nun's Priest's Tale

...

What is a liturgical drama?

A type of literature having to do with the church doctrine. It is meant to be morally or spiritually instructed.

What is the answer to the question posed by the Queen in the Wife of Bath's tale?

A women wants the self-same sovereignty over her husband as over her lover, and master him; he must not be above her. **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

Who does Everyman have to call on to lead?

Discretion, Strength, and Beauty because they cannot be left on Earth **Everyman by Anonymous

What does Everyman realize about promises?

Promises made without immediate pending consequences might be made, but will eventually fall through **Everyman by Anonymous

What does 5 Wits (and Everyman) say about priests?

That God has given incredible power to priests, so much that it is more than any angel in heaven. Thus, it is wise, almost necessary, for Everyman to seek out a priest and receive the sacraments because evidently that is God's will. **Everyman by Anonymous

What does the Canterbury Tales suggest about humans?

That perhaps humans are too messy to be categorized into perfect categories like so many people try to do **The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

What is the "garment of sorrow" that Everyman receives and what does it do for him?

The "garment of sorrow" is contrition, and it furthers his redeeming process. **Everyman by Anonymous

Why is the Canterbury Tales realistic? Why is it not?

The Canterbury Tales is realistic because the pilgrimage the characters are making was made often. It is unrealistic because such a large range of social classes would not have been represented on the same pilgrimage.

The Skipper

*captain of a ship or boat - rides the horse as best he can - used to riding the waves not an animal - Chaucer says he is certainly an excellent fellow but then undercuts him, pointing out that he's stolen many a draught of wine while the trader was sleeping - "the nicer rules of conscience he ignored" - merciless: when he wins a battle at sea his enemies walk the plank - very skilled sailor, no others compare Chaucer the Canterbury tales

The Parson

*member of the clergy - brother to the plowman - lacks material goods but is rich in holy thought - prefers giving to charity and the poor - never neglects calling on someone even in bad weather - motto: if a priest is rusted (corrupt) then whom are the people to follow and model themselves after - a priest should set the best example he can - he is the strongest in his faith of all the (religious) characters -never contemptuous of sinning men, he is able to preach to the, without sounding superior - idealized by Chaucer: there never was a better priest Chaucer the Canterbury tales

Mock Epic

- Comically or satirically imitates the form and style of the epic, often treating a trivial subject in a lofty way - The Nun's priest's tale is an example of this - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

What is the plan to trick John the Carpenter?

- Nicholas pretends to be sick/in despair, and so the carpenter comes upstairs to check on him and shake him out of it. Nicholas tells him he has found out through astrology that next Monday, a quarter of the way through the night, a flood twice as bad as Noah's is going to wipe out all of humanity. The only remedy is for the carpenter to gather three tubs, only they three can be saved, and store them with victuals for a day, which is how long the waters will last. Then he must hang them in the roof with an axe to cut them free when it's time. Finally he must break out the gable. Additionally they must not speak a word, they can only silently pray. Furthermore, the carpenter and his wife must be apart to prevent any sin before the flood. He gets all of this ready and they sneak into the tubs Monday nights. The carpenter prays and eventually falls asleep. Nicholas and Alison then sneak off. - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Nun's Priest's Tale

- Once there lived an old widow with two daughters who lived simply. They owned some livestock, one of which was a rooster named Chanticleer. Chanticleer was the best crower in all of the land and had seven wives, that were also his sisters, but his favorite was Lady Pertelote. One day he has a dream that terrifies him about a beast that almost seizes him. Lady Pertelote scorns him and says he's being a coward. She says you should not pay attention to dreams and Chanticleer's has been caused by indigestion. She tells him she will prescribe him some herbs to solve his problem and to not be afraid anymore. Chanticleer thanks her for her lore, but continues to argue dreams have significance. He gives her two tales of two pairs of men who did not listen to their dreams and suffered immensely. He then continues to give other cases and stories of men who did not listen to their dreams and suffered as well. Therefore, he assert that dreams do have siginficance. However, he doesn't want to fight anymore with his wife. He says looking at her lovely face calms him down, and he heads off to walk around. While he struts and crows. A fox lurks into the cabbage patch until midday. At midday, Chanticleer catches sight of him him and terror grips his heart. He starts to flee but the fox, Sir Russel, tells him to stay. He says he means him no harm and just came to hear him singing. He flatters him by talking about his father, and gets Chanticleer to close his eyes and sing with his neck out. The fox then attacks, slings Chanticleer over his neck, and heads into the woods. The other hens realize and begin to create a lot of racket. The widow and the daughters come out and chase after the fox. While Chanticleer is on the fox's back, he tells him he should yell back to the others about his victory. The fox agrees, and, as soon as he opens up his mouth, Chanticleer escapes up into the trees. The fox tries to trick him into coming back doen, saying Chanticleer must have misunderstood his intentions, and he must've been holding Chanticleer to hard. Chanticleer, how everyone, realizes his mistake in not listening to his own advice and will not be tricked again. The priest ends the tale by stating the moral is to be on your guard against the flatterers of the world. - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Miller's Tale

- Some time ago there lived an old carpenter named John in Oxford who housed a poor young student named Nicholas and had a new eighteen year old wife named Alison. One day, while the carpenter was away, Nicholas made a grab at Alison saying he had to have his will of her otherwise he would die of secret love. She quickly defends herself and only promises to love him after he pleads his case. They agree to wait for a chance to trick the carpenter so they can sneak off to be together. Alison then heads off to church where we learn that Absalon, the parish clerk, is in love with her. He becomes so in love that he begins to go and sing under her window during the night. Alison denies him however because she is in love with gallant Nicholas. Nicholas can't wait any longer to be with her and so he makes a plan to trick the carpenter. He acts sick/in despair and the carpenter comes up to see what's wrong and shake him out of it. Nicholas tells the carpenter that by his astrology he has found out that a flood twice as terrible as Noah's is going to wipe out humanity. The carpenter immediately begins to fret for Alison's life. Nicholas tells him there is a solution and has the carpenter go about it. Then the Monday night when they are all in their tubs, Alison and Nicholas sneak off while the carpenter has fallen asleep praying. While Alison is with anicholas, Absalon comes to her window and tells her how terribly lovesick he is. She denies him and tells him to go to hell. Absalon is greatly saddened and agrees to go away in exchange for a kiss. Alison agrees, but in reality plans to trick him. She sticks her hole out the window and Absalon kisses it's. However he steps back when he thinks he's kissing a lady with a beatd. Alison laughs, and Absalon walks away puzzling to himself. Suddenly he realizes and becomes enrage do, swearing he'll get revenge. He goes to his friend Gervase, the smith, early in the morning and he allows him to borrow a hot coulter. Absalon goes back to Alison's window and calls out again. Nicholas is up using the bathroom and decides to mess with him this time. He sticks his buttocks out the window and lets fly a fart. Absalon, although almost blinded, is still able to smoke him in the middle of the rump. Nicholas cries out for wayer. When the carpenter hears this, he thinks the flood has come and cuts his topr. He crashes down, breaks his arm and faints. Nicholas and Alison call murder to the town and they come running to find the carpenter on the ground. When he comes to he tries to explain himself, but Alison and Nicholas refute what he says, calling him crazy. The whole town laughs at his lunacy and treats his suffering as a joke. So the only one who gets away without being humiliated or hurt is Alison. - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

What happened thanks to the Battle of Hastings?

- The language, literature, culture, etc changed - Everyone is united under one monarch: William The Conquerer - However, the rulers are speaking medieval French but the conquerees are speaking old English so the two languages collide and a new language develops: Middle English (the English we speak)

The Nun's Priest

- The nun is the boss of his entourage - He comes along because the group needs someone to hear confession, give mass, etc - he tells his story to cheer the group up after the Monk has been telling a very tragic tale - tells a tale classified as a beast fable: a short, simple story designed to teach a moral lesson. Animals exhibit human frailties - the tale is also similar to a mock epic: comically or satirically imitates the form and style of the epic, often treating a trivial subject in a lofty way - tells a tale about Chanticleer the rooster who believes in dreams, but does not take his own advice when he encounters a fox - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Tale of two comrades in The Nun's Priest's Tale

- Two comrades on a pilgrimage reach a village that is so crowded that they cannot find a place to lodge them both, so they split up. One finds refuge in a stall, while the other finds lodging elsewhere. The comrade not lodged in the stall has a dream twice where his comrade cried out that he will be murdered that night if the other does not come to his rescue. He dismisses it both times. In his third dream, his comrade comes again and tells him he has been slain for his money and his body has been hidden in a dung cart. The next morning the comrade goes to the stall to meet up with his friend, but cannot find him. He calls around, and becomes suspicious when the innkeeper tells him comrade left a little after dawn. He looks around and encounters a dung cart that was described to him in his dream. He then begins to call out there has been a murder. The town and sheriff come and the carter and innkeeper eventually confess and are hanged. -Chanticleer tells this story defensively to Lady Pertelote to prove dreams should be dreaded and acknowledged. - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Oxford Cleric

- a student at Oxford - his horse is thin and he has less than the other pilgrims -unworldly, prefers his books over everything else -takes his friends' money to buy books and study more, and in return he prays for them and thanks them for paying for his studies - formal, respectful, man of few words - would happily share his knowledge if asked Chaucer the Canterbury tales

The story of two men who started out to cross the sea in The Nun's Priest's Tale

- Two men started out to cross the sea for merchandise, but, because the winds were contrary, they waited. Soon the wind suited them and they planned to set sail early the next morning. Just before dawn, one man had a dream where a man stood by his bedside and said that if he and his comrade set sail the next day, they both would be drowned. He woke and told his friend about his dream, and begged to wait a day to set sail. His friend, how everyone, laughs at him and says dreams should be disregarded. Therefore, his friend sets sail the next day, and the dreamer stays behind. Before half the trip was covered, there was a rip in the ship and all hands on board drowned. - Chanticleer tells this to his Lady Pertelote to prove dreams should be dreaded and acknowledged - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Cuckold

- a husband who has a wife that cheats on him - he becomes a laughing stock of society because he cannot keep his wife under control or happy - society doesn't seem him as much of a man at all for these reasons - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Nicholas the Gallant

- a poor student at Oxford who lodges with John the carpenter. - has made some studies in art, but all his interest has been turned to astrology and geomancy - the intent of his character could be to make fun of Oxford students, or it could just be what the miller thinks of Oxford students - making love in secret is his talent - meek and girlish looks - makes a grab at Alison, the carpenter's new wife, because he is dying of secret love. She defends herself and he has to plead his cause. Non the end she promises to love him. - he and Alison agree to wait to find a chance to trick the carpenter - fakes sick and in despair so that the carpenter has to come up and shake him out of it. Nicholas tells the carpenter he has found out by astrology that humanity is going to be drowned out by a flood twice as bad as Noah's next Monday. He tells the carpenter there is a way to fix it. The carpenter falls for his trick and he is able to go sleep with Alison. - when Absalon comes back to their door, Nicholas sticks his buttocks and all out the window and let's fly a supes loud fart. Absalon is nearly blinded but is still able to smoke Nocholas in the middle of the rump. This is Nocholas's punishment in the story. -Nicholas cries out for water, which makes the carpenter think the flood has come. -He and Alison convince the town at the end that the carpenter is crazy - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Alison

- a popular name chosen to depict a lovely girl. Most likely named after the girl in the poem "Alysoun" who was a brunette with dark eyes and the writer loved her so much he was lovesick. - exercises her own will in this story- the miller admires this - Allison gets away scot free. She's not hurt or humiliated. This shows more respect for women. She holds more power than the girl in the knight's story. - eighteen years old and the new wife of the carpenter - the carpenter is jealous and very protective of her - wild, has a lecherous eye, young - slender, sweet complexion, lovely - Nicholas makes a grab at her but she quickly defends herself. Eventually she agrees to love him. - her and Nicholas agree to wait for a chance to trick the carpenter - Absalon, the parish clerk, becomes enchanted with her - sneaks off with Nicholas while the carpenter thinks a flood is coming - denies love to Absalon when he comes to her window while she is with Nicholas. She finally promises him a kiss to make him go away. However, instead of kissing him, she puts her hole out the window and Absalon unknowingly kisses that. She laughs and he moves back, crying out he has felt a beard. As he walks away he realizes the truth. - convinces the town the carpenter is crazy when they all come to see him lying on the ground because he fell with the tub. - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

John the carpenter

- a rich, elderly man who lived in Oxford - carpenter by trade, he houses a poor student from Oxford known as Nicholas the Gallant - has a new eighteen year old wife, Alison, who he loves more than life - incredibly jealous and protective of her - is tricked by Nicholas and his wife into believing that a flood is coming that will drown out humanity. Nicholas has him go off and prepare by gathering three tubs and provisions for them. He frets for the life of his wife. He gets into the tub when the time comes and eventually falls asleep, making him seem weak and foolish. Alison and Nicholas go off together while he sleeps. When he hears Nicholas cry for water he hacks the rope thinking the flood has come. He hits the floor and faints. He breaks his arm, and when he comes to, Nicholas and Alison refute what he says, deeming his crazy. The whole town is led to believe he's crazy and make fun of him. - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Don Russel/ Sir Russel Fox

- a sly, coal-ripped fox who has been lurking round the grove for three long years - lurks in a bed of cabbage until the middle of the day to attack - when Chanticleer catches sight of him, he is terrified and tries to run away. He tricks Chanticleer into staying by saying he means him no harm. The only reason he is there is to hear Chanticleer sing. - flatters Chanticleer by talking about how great a singer Chanticleer's father was - attacks Chanticleer when his neck is out and his eyes are closed, swings him over his back, and heads off into the woods - Chanticleer tricks him into opening his mouth to brag and escapes into a tree - cannot trick Chanticleer again to get him to come back down, saying Chanticleer must think he means him harm - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Gervase

- a smith and friends with Absalon - jokes to Absalon that only a girl could have coaxed him up this early - answers his door early in the morning to Absalon and allows him to take a hot coulter - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Absalon

- a young parish clerk who serves the church - golden curls and ruddy face - plays the fiddle, guitar and sings in a high falsetto - is in desperately in love with Alison to the point of being lovesick and will sing under her window - when Alison is with Nicholas he comes to her window and sings to her. Alison denies him. He says he'll leave if he's given a kiss. She agrees, but she kisses her nether eye instead of her. He thinks he's kissed a lady with a beard, but as he says this aloud, he realizes the truth and becomes enraged. - he swears he'll get revenge and aligns himself with the devil - he goes to his friend Gervase, the smith, and borrows a hot coulter. He then goes back to Alison's window and calls out again. This time Nicholas decides to trick him and sticks his buttocks out. He rips a big one, and although Absalon is nearly blinded, he still emotes Nicholas in the middle of the rump. - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Courtly love

- about romantic love - outside of marriage (can't have it inside of marriage) - modeled on a feudal relationship, when the knight is totally devoted to his lord. - He is totally devoted to his lady, like Eleanor, the woman is probably older than the male - the woman is married to the king but is everything the knight could ever want - the woman may not even converse with the man or know he exists yet she inspires him and drives him to be a good knight - Not like a Rom Com or a story of falling in and out of love, there may be a woman in it but if so the knight may only be doing what he is doing for the favor of a lady - A woman being placed on a pedestal comes from this idea: The lady is above him in all aspects, beauty, power, age, etc - It causes some pain because they can never connect with their lady (love sickness) - Sets up a scenario for adultery, the love & feelings are encouraged but not actions - The women simultaneously become a disease and a cure

The haberdasher, dyer, carpenter, weaver, and a carpet-maker

- all in the ranks of lively, impressive gild fraternity - dressed spotlessly - smart enough to be a member of the municipal courts - they had capital and revenue that their wives declared were deserved by them - they're on the pilgrimage for the social aspects more than the religious, it's more to be able to say they did it and be seen doing it Chaucer the Canterbury tales

Geoffrey Chaucer

- author of the Canterbury Tales - poet of the Middle Ages - middle class, son of a wine merchant - travels to Ireland and brings back things that change the way the English thought about literature - very observant of people & their behavior - "invented the English language" (not true but is commonly said) - dies in the middle of writing the Canterbury Tales - uses the vernacular

Plowman

- brother of the parson - honest worker - lives in peace and charity - loves God with all his heart and mind - helps the poor for the love of Christ - never takes a penny for doing so - pays his tithes in full when they are due - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

What is Chaucer's attitude towards The Pardoner?

- disdainful - detests him - his masculinity/sexuality are called into question - ridicules and admonishes him - suggests he and the summoner are romantically involved, by doing this he points out a bit of church hypocrisy because here are two church officials not practicing what they're preaching

Asceticism

- eat as much as you need to survive - involves a denial of sensual pleasures or satisfaction or comfort - can involve self harm for the good of the soul - famous for self sacrifice and self denial - practiced by Thomas á Becket

The Monk

- enjoys hunting, kills animals for sport - takes care of the monastery's outside world business - does live as the typical monks did in the past, prefers to liver a more modern life where he can hunt and roam free - Chaucer agrees with the monks stance on life: why should the monk drive himself crazy studying and doing manual labor? - spares no expenses, likes to live richly - has a gold pin fashioned into a lovers knot - he's got that James dean daydream look in his eyes if you know what I mean Chaucer the Canterbury tales

Manciple

- from the Inner Temple - watches the market precisely and so he ends up doing rather nicely - illiterate and still beats out a lot of learned men - has more than thirty masters and can "wipe the eye" of a lot of the learned men they produce for legal cases - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Host

- gives great welcome and serves great victuals -fit to be Marshall in a hall - bold, wise in his tact, does not lack a manly attribute, merry-hearted - has never seen such a spry looking group - suggests a means of enjoyment to the group: each member shall tell two stories to Canterbury and two stories on the way back. The member with the best story shall be given a dinner at the tavern paid by all. And to keep them all bright and merry he shall tag along as a guide and judge. Those who don't obey shall pay for what the group spends upon the way. Everyone agrees delightedly. - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

What does the Reeve have to say about old age?

- growing old is like rotting on the inside - the only "live coals" left are lies, boasting, greed, and rage - your body changes but your inner feelings/desires do not - he says that he himself is old and useless, just an empty cask waiting for death

The Knight

- has always followed chivalry - idealized - characterized by his religious motives - part of the top tier of society, of course he is basically perfect because he represents the top of the totem pole vs people at the bottom like the reeve - he also rides at the front of the pilgrims because he is of the top tier - first to tell the story because the host admires him - is on the pilgrimage to thank god for his success - his not flashily dressed, what's his smudged armor and stained tunic: humble - he would rather hear stories of me starting in poverty and rising to riches than the other way around because he is afraid of falling into poverty like in the nun's priest's prologue/tale - ironically, the knight aka the solider of the group has a disliking to conflict or unhappiness and is the character always breaking up anything that characterizes these descriptions Chaucer the Canterbury tales

Chanticleer

- the cock in the nun's priest's tale - the best crower in all the land - has seven wives, who are his sisters and paramours - roosters are known to be monogynous, which makes a point about human nature that men may have a hard time being faithful to one woman - his favorite wife is Lady Pertelote - has a dream about a beast that tries to seize him, and this terrifies him - his wife scorns him for believing in dreams, so he tells her multiple tales on why everyone should take account of dreams - while he is singing he encounters a fox, and is tricked into staying rather than fleeing. The fox flatters him, and Chanticleer agrees to close his eyes and sing for the fox. The fox attacks, flings him over his back, and heads off. Chanticleer is able to escape into a tree by telling the fox he should yell out about the pride of his accomplishment. Chanticleer learns his lesson and will not be fooled again. He realizes he should've followed his own advice from the beginning - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Cook (part of the haberdasher, dyer, carpenter, weaver and carpet maker's entourage)

- the entourage brought him along to make their meals - skilled in his work - has an ulcer on his knee - Chaucer doesn't seem to have much of an opinion towards him, he appreciates his skill and brushes off a poor physical trait of his because his ability to make a good dessert makes up for it Chaucer the Canterbury tales

Lady Pertelote

- the loveliest of all Chanticleer's wives (has the loveliest dyes on her throat) - courteous, discreet, debonair & companionable - controls Chanticleer, has his heart in her hands - says women would rather have a seemingly fearless husband than a "coward" who shares his fears - says dreams are vanity/error, they have no significant meaning in real life - decides she knows what's best to cure him and tries to make him eat a variety of herbs

Summary of the pardoner's tale

- three youngsters from Flanders getting into typical male trouble - pauses to admonish four sins: gluttony, drunkenness, gambling & swearing - the three youngsters hear a bell and one of them recalls hearing that their friend was slain the other night by a mysterious figure called death - they are outraged and decide to find death and avenge their friend - they come across an old man who says sorrow stems from old age, he's been wandering all over the world but death refuses to take him - the old man says he left death under a tree - the three men rush to the tree to 8 bushels of gold coins - with no owner in sight, they decide to keep it for themselves and send the youngest into town to get refreshments so that they can wait til it is dark to bring the money into town so they sound look like thieves - while they are separated the two oldest plan to murder the younger and vice versa - they all end up dead, the two by poison and the youngest by the knife of the elder - the gold real was death under the tree

The Prioress/The Nun

- tries really hard to have good manners - flirtatious - pulls her hood back to show her high forehead (a high forehead was the sign of beauty) - perhaps Chaucer has a little crush on her - tries to act like a princess; even though she can't be a princess she can be the next step down in the social class system which is part of the religious clergy - questions the church and its values (are women really entering to be devoted to God or to be part of a higher class) Chaucer the Canterbury tales

The Pardoner

- waxy, long blonde rat tails but bald head (outer ugliness symbolizes inner ugliness) - carries fake indulgences with him - sings loud and merrily in the crowd at church because he knows he'll preach afterwards and earn money - tells an Exemplum - brief story designed to illustrate a moral lesson - wants to scare the listeners out of tavern sins, specifically preaching against greed (ironic because he acknowledges that he suffers from avarice) - takes advantage of poor people - he boasts so much that his story turns into a sales pitch at the end and he tries to sell relics to the host - only focused on money: says that he would take money from the poorest person in town just so he could live well The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

The Wife of Bath's first 3 husbands in Canterbury Tales

-"good, old and rich" -by good she probably means easily dominated, she discusses how quickly she dominated them by accusing them of saying derogatory things about women while drunk -they were happy together when she spoke nicely to them -did not marry them for love -these men serve the purpose of explaining her "woe is marriage" quote, because of how badly she mistreats them. It also provides the Wife with an ego boost because it is so easy for her to dominate them. **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

What is the moral of the Nun's Priest's Tale?

-Be on your guard against the flatterers of the world - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

What is the priest making fun of when he describes Lady Pertelote?

-Beauty standards. He includes blood shot eyes as being part of her attractive features - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Describe the significance of penance in Everyman

-Confession gives penance to Everyman, calling it a "precious jewel" -On Earth a precious jewel saves a man from poverty, and can cause materialistic oroblems. Spiritually/In heaven a precious jewel saves a man from hell and betters a man -Penance might be painful, but the oil of forgiveness will soothe Everyman's wounds -starts his penance by addressing God correctly and asking him for mercy **Everyman by Anonymous

Kindred and Cousin in Everyman

-2nd characters Everyman turns to -embody the expectations of a good family -Back out on their promises to support him; "deceive him in his most need" -Kindred offers to send his woman/maid with Everyman instead -Neither go with Everyman on his journey **Everyman by Anonymous

The Queen in the Wife of Bath's tale

-Asks the King if she might intervene in the Knight's death sentence, which he allows -Tells the Knight that if he can answer the question "What is the thing that women most desire?" then she will spare his life -He successfully answers her question, and so she pardons him -A woman in power who has sovereignty over men. -Possibly represents womankind: if women were in power they would administrate justice that not only punishes, but teaches a lesson and improves the position of women **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

Confession in Everyman

-Associated with John the Baptist imagery -Lives in the house of salvation -river/water imagery -it is a cleansing river/water source that will wash him of his sins -In good conceit with God -Gives Everyman the "precious jewel" of penance -After going to Confession, Everyman is finally aware of the mistakes he made and is beginning his penance by addressing God correctly and asking him for mercy -successfully helps Everyman change his ways -After Confession Everyman feels lighter, no longer fears the journey, and Good Deeds can walk **Everyman by Anonymous

Everyman in Everyman

-In the beginning: MATERIALISTIC; is caught off guard by Death and tries to buy more time (12 years) by attempting to bribe Death; has devoted all of his time and affection to Riches/Goods, thus neglecting Good Deeds to the point where Good Deeds cannot walk; has completely neglected God as well, which is why God send Death to Everyman, to make a point; turns to Kindred, Cousins, and Fellowship, but all of them end up forsaking him, and he realizes the true nature of these relationships, along with the fact that promises made without immediate consequences or deep knowledge can and will be easily broken in the future; In the middle: Turns to Good Deeds, and is directed to her sister, Knowledge for help; Knowledge introduces Everyman to the sacraments (i.e. Confession), effectively helping Everyman change his ways. Eventually Everyman has changed enough that he is no longer afraid to take on the journey, and Good Deeds becomes strong enough to take on the journey with him. In the end: Everyman leads Discretion, Strength, and Beauty, and calls on 5 wits as his counselors; all agree to take on the journey wit him, but end up forsaking him because they cannot go past the grave with him; gives away half of his riches to the poor, showing character development (i.e. A change from his original materialistic ways to a more charitable and knowledgeable man in the end); he has received his sacraments and addresses God correctly; dies with only Good Deeds to accompany him on his journey. **Everyman by Everyman

Wife of Bath in The Canterbury Tales

-Occupation: professional wife (without her looks her entire occupation and chances at getting a husband are gone) -Wears gaudy, bright red clothes -Gap tooth (prominiscuous) -Strong and aggressive (aggressively spurs her horse on with her heels) -Has had five husbands, and is on the lookout for the sixth -Got married at 12 years old, and sometimes comes across as a manipulative, whiny 12 year old -Has a tendency to gloss past the terrible things in her life. Her life has not been very easy, but she has found a way to thrive. A lot of things have happened to her that would have squashed a weaker person, yet she manages to thrive. -Either extremely well read or really paid attention in church because she knows the Bible well -from the very beginning she is on the defense, citing the Bible to defend her behavior -examines the Biblical image of marriage -cunning, witty, a tad deceitful, and very social **Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

What does the Wife of Bath look for in a husband?

-Old and rich -Someone who will be her debtor and slave -A relationship where she will be in power **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

The Old lady/eventually young wife in the Wife of Bath's Tale

-Old, ugly, and low class to beautiful and a faithful wife -Appears when the knight is looking for the answer to the question from the Queen when the dancing maidens he sees disappear -Promises to give him the answer to the question if he sweats to marry her when he lives -When the answer is accepted by the court, she makes the knight acknowledge that he will keep his word in front of the court so he won't go back on his promise -Cunning; the knight does marry her -When the knight does not want to consummate the marriage, she gives a long speech on the true origins of gentility, and the advantages of poverty and old age. The hag concludes her speech by offering the knight a choice: either he can have her old and ugly, but a good and faithful wife, or he can have her young and beautiful, but with no guarantee of these other good qualities. The knight turns the decision over to his wife, asking her to make the choice. -Once the woman has confirmed that he has placed the power into her hands, she tells him that she will be both, and transforms into a beautiful young woman, and lives happily ever after with him. -Shares some character traits with the Wife of Bath **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

The 4th Husband of the Wife of Bath

-Plays some of the same games with her that she is used to playing on men -Requires a different technique of domination because he has a lover, so she makes him think she is cheating on him too, and the jealousy drives him crazy -Allows the Wife of Bath to describe another one of her methods of domination -Gives the first glimpse to the Wife's vulnerability, because she admits that his taking delight in another women upsets her -she marries him for money, not love **Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

The Knight in the Wife of Bath's tale

-Rapes a woman, so the King sentences him to death. But, the Queen intervenes, saying that if in one year and a day he can figure out the answer to the question, "What is the thing that women most desire?" then the court will spare his life -He scours the country, and is in a but of a funk when he comes across this group of maidens dancing. Weirdly enough, they vanish when he approaches, leaving nothing but an old woman in their place. -The old woman answers the question for the knight, thus sparing his li, in exchange for him having to marry her once it is all over -He marries the old lady (quietly, because he is ashamed by her) -He does not want to consummate the marriage because she is so old, ugly, and low class -She offers him the choice of her being young and beautiful and unfaithful versus being old, ulgy, and faithful. He turns the decision over to her -He lives happily ever after with her once she is satisfied that he has placed the power in her hands -This character kind of digs at the Knight on the pilgrimage because Knights should be chivalrous and this one is lecherous **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

Angel in Everyman

-Receives Everyman/Everyman's soul at the end of the poem and implies that Everyman is considered worthy enough to enter heaven. - **Everyman by Anonymous

The Wife of Bath's 5th Husband: Johnny

-She marries him for love -Half her age (20 when she is 40) -Oxford scholar -She is already planning on marrying him while her fourth husband is still alive -Her best friend introduced them -By the end of the month when her fourth husband died she and Johnny were married -She relinquished all of her property to him, but quickly regretted it -He was abusive, hitting her so hard that she became deaf in one ear -Talks about/Reads about how evil women/wives are -When the wife becomes fed up with his reading a book about evil wives, she tears three pages out and pushes him into the fire. He retaliates, hitting her over the head. She "faints and nearly dies" before reviving to punch him, and then effectively taking control of the relationship -After this he lets her do what she pleases and the rest of their relationship is happy -Up until him she always thought love was manipulating, but when she was with Johnny she discovered that actual love brought pain and suffering along with joy. **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

The Miller

-Tells a fabliau story, a dirty story, and responds to the knight in his own low class way. - The monk is supposed to tell a story next, but the miller insists on responding to the knight's tale and telling a story -The Reeve does not want to hear a story about an unfaithful wife and a carpenter. The miller says he's not calling the reeve a cuckold and believe there's plenty of virtuous women. - has a blasé attitude toward cuckoldry - disrupts middle class structure - the middle class is becoming bold - dishonest (skillfully so), he is a master hand at stealing grain and overcharges people all the time - physically strong: he can break down a door with his head - this is animalistic, it makes him look unintelligent - musician - he can play the bagpipes very well, even while riding a horse or while drunk - The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

What does the Wife of Bath say about the Bible?

-That it says to go forth and multiply -If important biblical figures had many wives, like King Solomon, why shouldn't people now a days have, more than one? -The Bible never forbids marrying more than one person -God left it in their judgement as to what they would do -Uses the Bible to justify her actions **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

Goods/Riches in Everyman

-The 3rd character Everyman turns to -Everyman has always depended on Riches, so now in his time of distress he turns to Riches -Deceitful -Riches are only temporary solutions to worldly problems -If Riches went with Everyman it would make his judgement worse because Everyman gave the devotion he should have gave to God to Riches -Riches never belonged to Everyman, they are only materialistic things that will be passed on from generation to generation -Purpose in life is to deceive Everyman and destroy his soul -The source of Everyman's problems (Everyman is too materialistic) -Everyman loved Riches most, and Riches loved Everyman least -Only stays with Everyman on Earth, his companionship is not lasting -Does not go with Everyman on his journey **Everyman by Anonymous

What are the forces at work that can jeopardize Everyman's soul?

-The 7 deadly sins jeopardize Everyman's soul and ultimately lead him to sin more. Specifically in this text, we see that his most immediate threats are Greed, Sloth, and Pride. The reader sees from the very beginning that Greed is a significant problem for Everyman. Almost right away (2nd page) the problem of materialism is addressed. The problem only continues to show itself as the text continues, such as when Everyman tries to bribe Death because all he has to rely on are his riches (3rd page), or when Fellowship rejects him, so he turns to Goods/Riches, whom he has loved all his life in place of God. (8th and 9th page) Yet another example is when Everyman turns to Good Deeds, only to find that the only comoanion willing to make the journey with him is too weak to make the journey because Everyman devoted his life to goods/riches instead of good deeds. (9th page). The reader also notes that Sloth is a problem for Everyman as well. Everyman has failed to develop spiritually over his life, and thus is characterized by a spiritual laziness in the text. Everyman himself points this out on the 9th page, when he notes that all his life he had been giving the attention and devotion due to God to his Goods/Riches. Thus, the reader, and Everyman, realizes that Everyman is in no way prepared to die properly, and so he must undertake a pilgrimage with the help of Knowledge, Confession, and the like so that he might make up for his sin of sloth before he meets Death once more. Finally, it can be argued that one of the immediate problems that Everyman faces is the deadly sin of pride. This can be argued because when God sent Death to confront Everyman, Everyman attempted to pay Death off, saying that he wasn't ready to go, and asking him to come back later (3rd page). Everyman spent his whole life so absorbed in his worldly items, without once devoting himself to God, that when he finally realized he must make the journey to judgement he was sure that his Goods/Riches and friends would help/accompany him, but none of this was true. Therefore, the reader sees that Everyman Was too caught up in his own life and helping himself to see the truth around him, and so he is a victim of the deadly sin, pride. -Lust and Gluttony can also be used to describe him, although not to the same degree that the previously mentioned sins can **Everyman by Anonymous

What do the Wife of Bath's clothes represent?

-The description of her clothes undercuts her, she's overdressing to come across as sexually appealing -hat like a shield to symbolize battle of the sexes, because for her life has been a battle for her own independence, her own equality, etc. **Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

Fellowship in Everyman

-The first friend that Everyman turns to -Embodies the ideal friend until truly tested. That is, when Everyman asks him to come with him to Judgement, Fellowship fears what the future holds for him, and goes back on his word to help Everyman in Everyman's time of need -Only there for Everyman when they are having fun, does not support him when sorrow is involved - says he won't forsake Everyman until life's end, he would go to hell with him -changes his mind on going on the journey when he knows death is the messenger -if anyone has wronged Everyman he will avenge him -In the end, Everyman's bond with Fellowship is broken -Fellowship does not join Everyman on his journey

Good Deeds in Everyman

-The fourth person Everyman turns to -All Everyman has left at the end of his life is Good Deeds -Kind and supportive -Shows full respect for God -In the beginning: Weak; Everyman has neglected his Good Deeds to the point that Good Deeds cannot walk, and so Everyman finds Good Deeds lying on the cold, hard ground; not strong enough to make the journey, but would make it if he could -By the End: because Everyman receives the sacraments, Good Deeds gains enough strength to make the journey -Good Deeds is the ONLY character who truly makes the journey with Everyman -Good Deeds has a strong relationship with Everyman since they both mutually help each other **Everyman by Anonymous

Doctor in Everyman

-The last character in the text, who enters to summarize the ideas presented and explain how Everyman will be treated in the after life. -Makes the point that before God Everyman will have no excuses -Makes the point that after death Everyman will not have the opportunity to make amends - pride deceives you in the end - God brings us all together in heaven -Ends with a religious tone **Everyman by Anonymous

What does the Wife of Bath say about genitals?

-They might be of use for going to the bathroom and such, but they were also included to be used for pleasure, and because God bade them to multiply, humans should use them to do just that **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

The Three Tier System (Medieval Ages)

1. Nobility & aristocracy (includes knights) 2. Clergy (the church) 3. Peasants & Merchants

What type of literature is Everyman classified as?

A liturgical drama

Thomas á Becket

A martyr and an ascetic who practiced asceticism. He was killed by indirect request of King Henry when King Henry was venting to his Knights about the priest and they took him seriously.

The exchange of winnings

A game between 2 knights; they both go off to "a game" (that they can win something from) but before they do they agree to swap the prizes they win no matter how much or how little they wish to do it. *Occurs in Sir Gawain & The Green Knight

What is a pilgrimage? (Include the two key elements in your definition)

A journey towards a sacred goal. It includes an outward journey toward a holy place, and an inward journey towards spiritual improvement.

The reeve's tale summary

A miller who lives in town just outside of Cambridge is know for two things: not being messes with because he is very intimidating and cheating people of their corn/grain. He has married the illegitimate daughter of a priest and has older daughter and a newborn. When the headmaster of the school the miller grinds corn for gets sick he cheats him more than usual so two students (Alan and John) convince the headmaster to let them go and watch the miller grind their corn. When they get there and the miller realizes they are trying to outsmart them he slips out of the mill and unites their horse. When the two scholars realize this they are forced to leave the mill and chance the horses all day, giving the miller an opportunity to take some corn for his wife to bake a cake with and pad their bags with less expensive products. When the two students finally catch the horses it is too late to return home so they are forced to pay the miller to let them sleep in his house for the night. They share a cot in the same room as the rest of the family. When the miller falls asleep Alan decides he is due recompense for what has happened and leaves his bed with John to have sex with miller's daughter. Alan, not wanting to go home having been cheated and with no story to make up for it, moves the baby's cradle next to his bed while the wife is out so that she thinks she is getting into bed with her husband when it is really John. The two also have sex and she is so dumb that she does not realize it is not her husband. When morning comes Alan leaves the daughter, who says she'll never forget him and tells him where the cake is hidden, and accidentally climbs into bed with the miller, not knowing John moved the crib. He wakes the miller and tells him he's had sex with his daughter, all the while mistaking him for John. The miller is outraged and the two get in a brawl. The wife and John wake up and join in. The wife grabs a staff and, mistaking the miller's head for the students' white caps, hits her husband over the head hard. The two scholars escape without paying, with the cake, and with the corn and prevail over the trickster miller. Chaucer the Canterbury tales

What type of PLAY is Everyman?

A morality play

What is a reckoning?

A quantitative settling of accounts; implies that there is payment due

What is the moral of the poem, Everyman?

All Earthly things merely cause vanity. Beauty, Strength, and Discretion will forsake man, as well as foolish friends and kinsmen. In fact, everyone leaves except your Good Deeds (and God). **Everyman by Anonymous

What moral is the Pardoner trying to explain in his tail?

All must beware of the sin of avarice - it can only bring treachery and death.

Who is the author of The Canterbury Tales?

Geoffrey Chaucer

Who will speak for Everyman at the end of his life?

Good Deeds, and no one else. **Everyman by Anonymous

Who are Everyman's counselors?

His Five Wits **Everyman by Anonymous

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Important French queen. In her court she had all kinds of poets and musicians praising her beauty and intelligence. She helps develop the courtly love ideal

Undercutting

In one line Chaucer will seem to praise a character and then in the next line he will slyly undo the praise

Where is the Wife of Bath's tale set and why is that significant

In the court of King Arthur. This is significant because it shows that the tale is a fairy tale, not something that will happen in real life **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

What is the Wife of Bath's "ability" when it comes to her husbands

It is very easy for her to manipulate them so that she may get what she wants and control the relationship **The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

Mock epic

Parody of an epic that uses heightened language and epic conventions about a lowly or mundane topic

Peasants vs Serfs

Peasants are technically free but serfs are tied to a piece of land and its lord. If you had a nice lord being a serf could be much preferred to being a peasant.

Define a pardoner

Sold indulgences, could hear confessions, could travel and stir people up, could collect money to forgive people for their sins, but were not priests.

What does 5 Wits say about the sacraments?

The blessed sacraments hold the key to redemption for Everyman **Everyman by Anonymous

Chivalry

The code of conduct for a medieval knight, very much for men/warriors. Not all men lived up to this code, only a few strived for chivalry.

Which two characters does Chaucer insinuate are romantically involved?

The pardoner and the summoner

How does the Reeve end his story? What does that show about his character and motives?

The reeve ends his tale saying "that's what you get for being a miller!" He also says "Do evil and be done by as you did" aka what goes around comes around. He thinks that God has dealt Justice and he has rightly gotten back at the miller by telling his tale. He sees his story as a source of revenge but thinks it is only just since he has been wronged.

What is the main purpose of the Reeve's tale? Why does it star a miller?

The reeve is humiliated by the miller's tale because he is a carpenter by trade. He sees the miller's tale as an attack on the carpenter's profession and decides he must answer this "attack" with a story of his own. Ironically, in both stories the miller and the carpenter are punished by the effects of adultery.

Vernacular

The spoken, everyday language of ordinary people (used to write in Latin and French). Words are spelled the way they sound when people say them.

Which of the three youngsters in the pardoner's tale must run into town to fetch bread and drink? What do the two left with the gold decide to do?

The youngest picks the shortest straw so he must go into town. While he is away the two others realize they will each get more gold if they kill the youngest one off and so they devise a plan to murder him when he returns by entering into a wrestling match and then stabbing him in the back.

What are the seven deadly sins and how do they apply to Everyman?

They are mortal sins that put your soul in jeopardy. They apply to Everyman because they jeopardize his soul and lead him to other sins. -Everyman by Anonymous

What does Knowledge advise Everyman to do before he dies?

To go to a priest and receive the holy sacrament before death takes him (Knowledge presents this as a wise idea) **Everyman by Anonymous

Summary of the Wife of Bath's Tale

When a knight rapes a maiden walking alone on the road, he is sentenced to death by the King. However, the Queen steps in, saying that if he can answer the question "What is the one thing all women desire," in a year and a day then his life will be spared. He sets out to find the answer, searching everywhere, and is beginning to give up hope when he comes across 24 maidens dancing near the woods. But when he approaches them, they all mysteriously disappear, and all that is left is an ugly old hag. This ugly old woman promises that she can give him the answer to his question if he promises to marry her afterwards. He agrees, and when her answer is accepted by the court, she makes him re-promise in front of the court that he will marry her. He marries her privately, because he is ashamed, but when it comes to consummating the marriage he can't do it because he finds her in no way appealing. She gives him the choice of either having a faithful, old and ugly wife, or an unfaithful, young and beautiful wife. He tells her to make the decision, and once she is confident that the power of the relationship is in her hands, she tells him he can have both, and transforms into a young, beautiful, and faithful wife. The two live happily ever after. **The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucef

What happened during the Battle of Hastings?

William The Conquerer came over from Normandy (northern France, speaks medieval French) and invaded what is essentially an island full of tiny kingdoms, defeated England, and became the first English king