The Prologue from The Canterbury Tales Quiz

What do the characters description in the Prologue most clearly suggest as the speaker's opinion of members of the clergy?

He finds some of them insincere and greedy for money.

How do the author's description of the characters most clearly create comments on society?

He provides details that show how the characters act in real-life situations.

What directive does the Host give the travelers at the end of the Prologue?

He urges them to tell stories on the trip.

What could you infer about the Friar from reading the Prologue?

He uses people for money

Which qualities of the Monk are MOST uncharacteristic of a monk?

His fur lined sleeves, his stables of horses, and his fine jewelry.

Which of the following best describes the Nun (the Prioress)?

Refined and sentimental

discreet

careful about what one says or does

diligent

hard-working

Enjambment

the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza. Example: And she had little dogs she would be feeding/ With roasted flesh, or milk, or fine white bread.

-able

capable of

eminent

(adj.) famous, outstanding, distinguished; projecting

How many syllables appear in each line of a heroic couplet?

10

direct characterization

Author directly describes character Example: He was an honest worker, good and true...

indirect characterization

Author subtly reveals the character through actions and interactions. Example: ( The Nun) Her way of smiling very simple and coy. Her greatest oath was only "By St. Loy!"

closed couplet

Couplets that contain a complete thought in two lines. Example: In stature he was of a moderate length, / With wonderful agility and strength.

What could you infer about the woman from Bath from reading the Prologue?

She is selfish and arrogant.

Which of the following ideas is expressed most clearly in the Prologue?

The infinite variety of human nature

What brings the character together in the Prologue?

The religious journey to a cathedral