The Canterbury Tales

Give a brief overview of the derivation of modern English. In answering, include approximate dates in the evolution of modern English.

(1500- 1800) Towards the end of Middle English, a sudden and distinct change in pronunciation (the Great Vowel Shift) started, with vowels being pronounced shorter and shorter. From the 16th century the British had contact with many peoples from around the world. This, and the Renaissance of Classical learning, meant that many new words and phrases entered the language. The invention of printing also meant that there was now a common language in print. Books became cheaper and more people learned to read. Printing also brought standardization to English. Spelling and grammar became fixed, and the dialect of London, where most publishing houses were, became the standard. In 1604 the first English dictionary was published.

Explain some examples of abuse of power or corruption in the Church in the late Middle Ages.

-Indulgences (people would pay the church to make sure their loved ones/themselves would skip purgatory) -Celibacy for clergy members

6 themes in The Canterbury Tales

-materialism vs. spirituality -corruption of government -corruption of church -appearance vs. reality -chivalry vs. courtliness -social class (clergy, nobility, commoners)

According to the Code of Chivalry, what was the proper behavior for the Knights? Your answer should include a list of criteria.

-no murder - no crimes against others (especially those in your own country) -do not be cruel -> grant mercy to those who ask for it -support women, never harm them -do not indulge in fights (unless it is a war/battle for the greater good of the country)

The Canterbury Tales is an incomplete work. According to the plan laid out in the General Prologue, the work would consist of __1__ stories. Chaucer had only completed __2__ tales plus the General Prologue at the time of his death.

1) 120 stories (4 stories told by each of the 30 pilgrims) 2) 24 tales

When Chaucer died in __1__, he was the first poet to be buried in __2__, in the area that is now known as __3__.

1) 1400 2) Westminster Abbey 3) "The Poet's Corner"

Chaucer held the position of __1__ for the Port of London for __2__ years.

1) Comptroller of Customs 2) 12 years

He read and spoke multiple languages, including __1__, __2__, __3__, __4__.

1) French 2) Italian 3) Latin 4) English

He fell out of favor in the royal court when __1__, who was Chaucer's patron, left the country. This lapse in employment gave him time to write poetry, including __2__.

1) John of Gaunt 2) The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer was born in __1__ and was the son of a __2_

1) London 2) Vintner (a wine maker)

Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales in vernacular, __1__ (language of everyday speech), even though __2__ was the official language of the Church and __3__ was the language of the medieval royal court. This made the work accessible to a wider audience.

1) Middle English 2) Latin 3) French

As a teenager, he was a __1__ to the __2___

1) Page 2) Countess of Ulster (Northern Ireland)

As Chaucer describes each character in the Canterbury Tales, he notices their __1__, but doesn't judge or condemn the characters. Instead, he arranges the details so that the readers can __2__.

1) flaws 2) draw their own conclusions

Chaucer rose in in the royal court and became a __1__ in the 1380s. He also served as __2__.

1) knight 2) Justice of the Peace

In the 1360s, he was a __1__. During a battle in ___2__-, he was captured, and ___3___of England paid his ransom.

1) soldier 2) France 3) King Edward III

The tales (mostly written in __1__, although some are in __2__) are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from __3__ to the shrine of __4__ at the __5__. The prize for this contest is a __6__ at the __7__Inn at __8__ on their return. Since the work is incomplete, readers will never know who won the contest!

1) verse 2) prose 3) Southwark 4) Saint Thomas Becket 5) Canterbury Cathedral 6) free meal 7) Tabard Inn 8) Southwark

Squire

20 years old, writer, in love with the idea of love, a romantic, creative, talented, respectful, courteous, giving

What was The Great Chain of Being?

A hierarchical system involving beings in the universe. Ex. God is #1, then angels, humans, animals, plants, minerals, etc.

Give brief history of the Canterbury Cathedral.

Canterbury Cathedral was one of the most important centres of pilgrimage in Medieval England. There has been a cathedral at Canterbury since 597 when St. Augustine baptised the Saxon king Ethelbert. The Archbishop of Canterbury was the most senior religious figure in the land and he was based at the cathedral. While the cathedral had huge significance at both a religious and political level in medieval times, its importance as a centre of pilgrimage greatly increased after the murder of Thomas Becket there in 1170.

What was the official religion of England in the Middle Ages?

Catholicism

Miller

Dishonest, heavier, wrestler, brags, short, musical, cheats people (thumb on scale)

What were some popular destinations for pilgrimages in the Middle Ages?

Jerusalem and obviously Canterbury Cathedral.

Who was King Arthur?

King Arthur is a legendary British leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th to early 6th century A.D.

Reeve

Old, thin, materialistic, much power and entitlement, smart with farm knowledge.

Plowman

Older brother of the Parson, honest worker, faith, great morals, honorable, good and true, no elaborate clothing

Define the term "pilgrimage" as it applied to England in the Middle Ages.

Pilgrimages began as exercises in penance. They were important at the time because the Church was the main focus for the majority of people.

What other languages influenced Middle English?

mainly Latin and English

Wife of Bath

materialistic, 5 husbands, looking for 6th one on pilgrimage, gap teeth, curvy, good in bed, adventure, feminist, confident, bold, sexy, tough, feisty, skilled, and travels

Friar

noble, merry, festive fellow, mellow, well-liked, intimate, marry's people, smart, somewhat priestly, no dignity, likes $, beggar.

Prioress/Nun

polite, graceful, entertaining, glutenous, materialistic, romantic love, fluent French speaker (not Latin)

Skipper

stock character (not fully developed), a pirate, talented at what he does

Oxford Cleric

student, down in the dumps, no faith/religion, steals from friends, short, wants to learn/teach, all he cares about is education.

Haberdasher, A dyer, a Carpenter, a Weaver, A Carpet-maker

well-kept appearance, represents the rising middle class, worthy, wise, rich, married, and religious.

Do any elements of the code of chivalry still survive in our own society?

yes, especially treating women with respect.

Explain what it was like to take a pilgrimage to the Canterbury Cathedral in the Middle Ages. How long did it take? Describe any details that you find about the journey and what pilgrims could expect when they arrived.

Pilgrimages during the Middle Ages were very dangerous and many would walk in groups, to protect themselves against outlaws. However, many rich people often paid others to go on pilgrimages for them. Walking barefoot or even riding a horse could be a difficult undertaking, along poorly maintained and dangerous roads. Journeys overseas, to Compostella or Jerusalem, were complicated, difficult, and dangerous. In the later Middle Ages, conditions of travel improved, but getting from England to Jerusalem (as did the Wife of Bath, a frequenter of pilgrimages) was not easy.

Monk

Religious figure, lots of girlfriends,hunter, personable, bald, fat, not your typical monk

Summoner

Scary, ugly, not rich, only spoke Latin, a drunk, mentally ill, and if you bribe him you can get out of court.

Parson

Spread/taught faith, rich in faith, faced adversity, practiced what he preached sings, member of the clergy, shepherd, good role-model, poor and still gives, humble, dedicated/passionate to his career/God.

Who were the Knights of the Round Table?

They were King Arthur's knights and lived with the king in his castle in Camelot. They sat around a round table as a representation that all of them were equal.

Who was Thomas Becket? In answering, be sure to explain how he died and the impact that his death had on English politics and the English public.

Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He was killed by four knights of King Henry II, after Becket stood up for the church and showed his dislike for the king's rules/laws/ways.

What was the purpose of a pilgrimage?

To become closer to God

Pardoner

Vain, hides his selfishness behind the church, proud of his long, greasy, blonde hair, $, and gay

Who went on pilgrimages?

all types of people - mainly those seeking to be closer to god, those wanting to be forgiven for their sins, and those with an illness seeking a cure.

Year of Chaucer's birth and year of his death

birth: 1342 death: 1400

Knight

chivalry, honor, generous, noble, brave, christian, wise, modest, gentle

Merchant

debt, great negotiator, no name

Host

friendly, serves best wine, faith, good speaker, manly, owns the Inn, judge of the contest, travels with others on their pilgrimages.

Maudelayne (Doctor)

good speaker, background in astronomy, talented, well-organized, successful, smart (not just in science), not very religious

Yeoman

hunter, religious, talented, proper forester

Cook

introvert, talented, ulcer on knee

Franklin

large landowner, spoiled, lived for pleasure, likes wine, picky, takes pride in his home, rich, fond of luxury (epicurean), no religion

Serjeant of Law

lawyer, wary, wise, man of reverence, wise sayings, successful, recognized for his talents, smart, busy, no religion