Canterbury Tales Flashcards
no vow of poverty, roving eyes, fat, satirizes corruption of church in medieval times
Monk
how does the Monk ignore the monk code
hunts, goes outside, no charity, many horses=lavish/ sexual lifestyle
skilled carpenter, manager of lord’s estate, choler, shrewd, rich, rode in back of group with blade, feared by those who worked for him
Reeve
wanton and merry, white neck= no complexion or morals, double worsted robe,dressed like a doctor or pope, sweet talker, has sex then marries her off, makes living in penance,finest beggar of his batch
Friar
somewhat deaf, expensive clothes, handsome and bold face, red in hue, gapped teeth, well traveled, large hips, carries whip for horse, materialistic, has to be in front of communion line, loved to talk, independent woman
Wife of Bath
jobless, friends paid for books, hollow look, sober stare, badly fed horse, thin and bare clothing, philosophy over practical knowledge, used church for education, selfless, only interested in buying books, tone of moral virtue
Oxford Cleric
man of faith and “brother” to Parson, worked with a smile, rode a mare, selfless, lived in perfect peace and charity, talks about charity, gives money to church, ideal
Plowman
forking beard, motley dress, flemish beaver hat, buckled boots, told of his opinions/pursuits, acts like a know it all, expert at dabbling in exchanges, hides he’s in debt,greedy and liar
Merchant
feminine qualities, wallet lay on his lap, he gets around, sang and Offertory, may be gay/sterile, sells fake relics of the church
Pardoner
white beard, well-stocked pantry, showered his guests, red complexion far, Epicurus’ son, wealthy landowner but not a noble, hospitable, kind and gracious, talks of pleasure, gluttony
Franklin
Why is it ironic to call the Franklin “Epicurus’ son”?
Epicurus taught to live life for pleasure but to achieve through moderation and virtue and the Franklin does not achieve by these means
224 lbs, broad, had a lot of tavern stories, big mouthed, ugly black wart (lustful), red foxy beard, wide nostrils, fraudulent, wore blue hood, corrupted
Miller
How was the Miller fraudulent?
would press his thumb on the scale to make it seems like the flour was heavier than it truly was
knight’s servants who became landowner or foresters who originally were soldiers, too neatly dressed and saucy, serious and says nothing about himself, careful and well organized with hunting equipment, brown face, skilled in woodcraft, proper forester ( I guess), St. Christopher (patron saint of travelers) medal
Yeoman
reports those of spiritual sin, uses poisonous things to heal wounds (stupid), knows secrets and blackmails, lives secluded, thin beard, bad complexion, black scabby brows, children are afraid, skin medications can solve complexion, drunk, tries to act smart with Latin
Summoner
Rode into war alone, modest clothing, treated as nobility and sat at head of table after victory over Alexandria, formal in combat, joined pilgrimage to give thanks, sovereign value in all eyes, loyal and trustworthy, well-mannered
Knight
son of knight, youthful vanity, pressed curly hair, excess of love, young and athletic, focused on women rather than duty, not modest, flashy clothes, interested in the arts, respected and honored father, obsessed with courtly love
Squire
What is the purpose of the naive narrator?
agrees with some non-ideal characters to show irony, doesn’t understand what he observes
When is the pilgrimage and what does it symbolize?
April; beginnings
Where do they meet?
Tabard Inn in Southwark
Where is the pilgrimage going?
Shrine of St. Thomas a Becket
What is the deal in the story?
Two stories there and back for each pilgrim, whoever goes back on their oath has to pay for the others
What is a fabliau?
Crude and Coarse story
predominating humor, makes a person happy cheerful, lively; weakness is being undisciplined, little, and no self-control
Blood/Sanguine
humor that makes a person slow, sluggish, and dull
phlegm
humor that makes a person ill-tempered and quick to anger
Choler/Yellow Bile
humor that makes a person melancholy, pessimistic, self-centered
Black Bile
Chaucers birth to death
1343-1400
Chaucer is known as the “father of English ____”
poetry
Language of ordinary people
Middle English
languages of serious literature
Latin & French
Hoe does Chaucer bring respectability to the English language?
by composing in the vernacular
Most important part of the Canterbury Tales
prologue
What class was Chaucer from?
MIddle-Class with a career in gov
What languages had Chaucer mastered?
French, Italian, and Latin
What different gov. positions did Chaucer hold?
ambassador, justice of peace, member of parliament, courter, diplomat, administrator, and translator
Who was Chaucer’s patron?
John of Gaunt- Duke of Lancaster
What was Chaucer’s first important poem written? Why?
“The Book of the Duchess” in memory of his patron’s late wife
The Canterbury Tales is often referred to as the first collection of what?
short stories
How is the Canterbury Tales structured?
framing device
main plot that includes other plots
frame story
Advantages of using a frame story
different story-telling methods and social status
How many stories did Chaucer finish?
24
What metrical forms are used in the Canterbury Tales
dominant meter of iambic pentameter, couplets, Chaucerian stanza- seven line in iambic pentameter
What story telling methods and techniques are used in the Canterbury tales?
romance, fabliau, exempla, prose essays
stories told by characters of some social rank
romance
tales that teach a lesson
exempla
stories that are sermons
prose essays
