Canterbury Tales Test

What moral does the tale convey? How is it different from the moral that Chaucer wants you to draw from the tale?

The moral tale that is being told is that greed will ultimately lead you to death. Chaucer shows us that the pardoner is no better than the rioters. The pardoner talks about the pardons he has after he tells the story. He is greedy and wants to get money. He isn't he is supposed to be.

What does the pot of gold symbolize, and ultimately how does it prove fatal to all three?

The pot of gold symbolizes the greed of men. The greed provides fatal to three because the youngest is killed and the two are poisoned. They were originally hunting for death. Through greed, they found death.

Who you think is to blame for the rioters' deaths - themselves or Death? In other words, who is the main antagonist? Explain.

The rioters are responsible for their own death. The main antagonist is greed. If they had not been greedy, they all could have lived.

In what ways are the rioters similar to the Pardoner himself?

The rioters are sinners. As we saw in the Pardoner's prologue, he is a sinner. When the rioters found the gold, they were greedy. The pardoner admits that he is greedy in his own introduction.

What quest do the rioters start out on in the beginning, and how does that change once they arrive at the tree?

The rioters start out on their journey to find and kill death. The story says, "If we can only catch him, death is dead." They meet an old man in the woods who tells them death is up the "crooked way." When they arrive at the tree, they find gold. They forget about death, and they start planning how to get it home.

Verbal Irony

The use of words to mean something different than what they appear to mean (Verbal irony in which the idea of killing a personified death is impossible. When the youngest of the rioters had spoken to the apothecary about how he wished to kill some rats. This example displays the use of verbal irony. The reader would assume that the "rats" are literally dirty little rodents but that was not the case. Those "rats" were actually his partners that are in the woods.)

Outside of the text, who does the hag symbolize and why?

The wife of Bath because power is what the wife wants and is going to get it

How are the rioters characterized in the opening?

Three rioters are characterized by their vulgar and drunkenness. The pardoner says that they're a "company of youngsters haunting vice and ribaldry." He explains them as "dancing and dicing day and night and bold to drink and eat for more than they can hold."

Yeoman

"a proper forester", carried how and arrows, wore a medal of St. Christopher

Monk

"hunting was his sport", bald, fat, likes to eat, owned greyhounds, lavishly dressed

How young was the wife when she first married, and how many marriages has she had?

12 years old and 5 marriages

The seven deadly sins are pride, avarice, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. According to the church, these brought eternal damnation unless the sinner confessed and earned a pardon. Which of these sins does the Pardoner acknowledge as his own vices?

ALL OF THEM (I mean to have money, wool and cheese and wheat Though it were given me by the poorest lad Or poorest village widow, though she had A string of starving children, all agape. No, let me drink the liquor of the grape And keep a jolly wench in every town!)

Since the Pardoner is admitting of his own corruption, does that make his "moral tale" more or less credible? Is he a reliable narrator or not?

Answers will vary. He is credible that he is honest about his sins, but not reliable because he doesn't take his own advice.

Thomas a' Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered for speaking against the King

Miller

Big, strong man, with a red beard, who played bagpipes

Doctor

Contrives with pharmacists to make money, wore blood red garments used the elements to diagnose patients

How is Death characterized throughout the story?

Death is seen as a human in the story. The tavern-knave says death is a "privy thief." He explains that Death has killed many without a word. The boy tells them that Death is everywhere.

The Knight

Followed chivalry, had been in many battles, wise, modest, fine horses but not gaily dressed

Why does the pardoner preach?

For money (I preach for nothing but for greed of gain)

What type of husband(s) did she want ?

From the rich class; good looking and wealthy

Friar

Had a hurdy gurdy and a harp, a thick neck, did not follow religious orders, loved women and money

Pardoner

Had bulging eyes, greasy yellow hair, sells fake relics and makes money forgiving the pilgrims for their sins

Avarice means extreme greed for wealth or material gain. What is ironic about this pardoner's behavior?

He is guilty of what he preaches against. (Covetousness is both the root and stuff Of all I preach)

Do you think Chaucer's rich portrayal of the Wife is an indication that he had progressive views about women for his time, or was he painting a purposefully negative view of women? Explain.

Initially, I thought Chaucer had progressive view of women because he recognized their desire to have power. However, Chaucer's goal in the tales is to satirize his characters. The reference to Midas's Wife exposing his secret is Chaucer laughing at woman misusing power.

What does the allusion to King Midas add to the story? Why might that be included?

It may suggest that women need to be careful w/ their power because it can be harmful

Host

Large , striking man who was loud, merry generous and curious

Wife of Bath

Large hips, gapped teeth, somewhat death, well traveled and "hard five husbands", wants to attract men

Why might the pardoner admit this?

Maybe he is proud of it. Maybe because this is a cleansing trip. Maybe because he wants to rub it in how he is above them. Points out corruption.

Reeve

Old man, stick legs who wore a long overcoat of bluish gray

Cook

Proficient at every aspect of his craft, ulcer on his knee

What does the old hag symbolize inside the story?

Progressivism and wisdom

Of what crime is the Knight guilty of?

Rape

Nun

Refined, elegant, had several small dogs, not primarily interested in her religious duties wears a brooch.

How does the wife build suspense?

She keeps the audience waiting for the answer and keeps throwing in new bits of entertainment i.e. pretty ladies mystery midas

How does the wife's intention for a husband and wife relationship differ from the historical expectations of her time ?

She's in control however women didn't have much of that.

The Squire

Son of the Knight, 20 years old, sang, recited poetry, jousted, dance, draw and write

Situational Irony

The difference between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. (The rioters seek to kill Death but end up dying themselves. The reader would assume someone would end up with the gold but they all died in the end.)

What question must the knight answer? As the knight searched for the answer to the riddle, what contradictions did he find?

What is the one thing women most desire?

Dramatic Irony

When the audience is more aware of what is happening than a character. (The boys seem to actually think they are looking for a person - death - while the audience understands that this is not the case. We know the two rioters are planning to kill the youngest while he is gone.)

Tabard Inn

Where the travelers began their pilgrimage

Chaucer, (Geoffrey)

a poet who wrote "The Canterbury Tales" and died in 1400

Manciple

had a mustache and beard, was illiterate, but smart

Summoner

had leprosy, wore a garland smelled and scared children

Parson

humble priest, modest, poor, kind, holy virtuous

What lessons does the old woman teach the young knight about the following?

nobility/gentility - it wasn't something he was born w/ it comes from God Poverty - wealthiness doesn't = happiness; "There is not shame in poverty if the heart is gay" Old age - w/ age comes wisdom, the old had is the one who saved him and provided the knowledge (answer)

How does she justify all her marriages?

she mentions Solomon and how if he can have five wives, then the number of mates she should have is not limited.

Student

wore a threadbare coat, was poor, loved to learn, liked to teach others but not very special