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English > The Nun’s Priest’s Tale > Flashcards

The Nun’s Priest’s Tale Flashcards

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1
Q

Who is the main character in The Nun’s Priest’s Tale?

A

A poor old widow

She lives in a small cottage with her two daughters.

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2
Q

What animals does the widow keep?

A
  • Three sows
  • Three cows
  • A sheep called Molly
  • A cock named Chanticleer
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3
Q

What is Chanticleer known for?

A

His exceptional crowing

He is described as having a voice jollier than an organ.

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4
Q

What color is Chanticleer’s comb?

A

Redder than fine coral

It is also described as battlemented like a castle wall.

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5
Q

What does Pertelote advise Chanticleer to do about his dream?

A

Take a laxative

She believes his dream is caused by a choleric state.

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6
Q

What does Chanticleer dream about?

A

A beast that tries to seize him

The beast is described as a blend of yellow and red.

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7
Q

True or False: Pertelote believes dreams should be taken seriously.

A

False

She argues that dreams are a vanity and can be explained by bodily humors.

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8
Q

What does Chanticleer argue about dreams?

A

They can signify triumphs and tribulations

He references ancient authors who support this view.

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9
Q

What happens to the friend in Chanticleer’s story about dreams?

A

He is murdered in an ox’s stall

His dream foretold his death.

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10
Q

What does the saying ‘Murder will out’ imply?

A

Murder will eventually be revealed

It suggests that truth cannot be hidden indefinitely.

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11
Q

Fill in the blank: The widow’s diet consists mainly of _______.

A

Milk and brown bread

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12
Q

What is the significance of St. Kenelm’s dream?

A

He dreams of his own murder

His nurse warns him about it but he does not heed her advice.

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13
Q

What does Macrobius write about?

A

The significance of dreams

He discusses the vision of young Scipio Africanus.

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14
Q

What does Pertelote accuse Chanticleer of being?

A

A coward

She believes his fear from the dream is shameful.

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15
Q

What is the widow’s socioeconomic status?

A

Poor

She leads a simple life and makes do with little.

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16
Q

How does Chanticleer describe his dream?

A

Terrible and frightening

It causes him to groan and lurch.

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17
Q

What is the relationship between Chanticleer and Pertelote?

A

They are companions

Pertelote is one of Chanticleer’s wives.

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18
Q

True or False: The widow has a rich diet.

A

False

Her meals are described as slender and lacking in variety.

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19
Q

What does Chanticleer think about the wisdom of ancient authors regarding dreams?

A

He believes they are significant

He cites examples to support his argument.

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20
Q

What does Macrobius affirm about dreams?

A

Dreams can give a due warning of things that later come true

This refers to the belief in the prophetic nature of dreams, as discussed in classical literature.

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21
Q

Which biblical book is mentioned as a manual worth studying for understanding dreams?

A

The Book of Daniel

This book contains stories of dreams and their interpretations, particularly regarding King Nebuchadnezzar.

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22
Q

What did Joseph interpret in the Bible regarding dreams?

A

Many dreams give cognizance of what is to befall

Joseph is known for interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, predicting famine and abundance.

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23
Q

Who is Croesus and what significant dream did he have?

A

Croesus, the Lydian king, dreamt that he was sitting in a tree, meaning he would be hanged

This illustrates the theme of dreams foreshadowing fate.

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24
Q

What did Andromache dream about Hector?

A

She dreamt that Hector would be lost in battle if he went to war

This highlights the tragic nature of ignoring prophetic warnings.

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25
Q

What is the significance of the phrase ‘Mulier est hominis confusio’?

A

‘Woman is man’s delight and all his bliss’

This Latin phrase reflects the theme of love and desire in the text.

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26
Q

What does Chanticleer do upon seeing the sun rise?

A

He crows triumphantly, expressing joy and confidence

This represents a moment of bliss before the impending danger.

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27
Q

What is the role of the fox in the story?

A

The fox is a sly character who deceives Chanticleer

The fox symbolizes treachery and the dangers of flattery.

28
Q

What does Chanticleer fail to heed that leads to his capture?

A

He ignores the warnings from his dreams

This underscores the theme of ignoring prophetic signs and advice.

29
Q

What happens when Chanticleer begins to sing?

A

The fox seizes the opportunity to capture him

This illustrates the consequences of letting down one’s guard.

30
Q

Fill in the blank: ‘A woman’s counsel is so often ______.’

A

cold

This reflects the narrator’s skepticism about women’s advice.

31
Q

What does Chanticleer tell the fox when he is in danger?

A

He suggests the fox should turn back and taunt those pursuing him

This clever ploy allows Chanticleer to escape.

32
Q

What moral is conveyed through the story?

A

Beware of flatterers and be cautious of ignoring warnings

The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of naivety.

33
Q

True or False: Chanticleer’s confidence ultimately protects him from danger.

A

False

His overconfidence leads to his capture by the fox.

34
Q

What reaction do the hens have when Chanticleer is captured?

A

They shriek in anguish and despair

This emphasizes the emotional impact of Chanticleer’s fate on his family.

35
Q

What type of characters are the chief characters in the tale?

A

Thinking and talking animals

Common in fables and stories to convey moral lessons.

36
Q

What literary concept involves mocking a serious style?

A

Parody

37
Q

What is a fable?

A

A short story that typically features animals and conveys a moral lesson.

38
Q

What does St. Paul suggest about the purpose of writings?

A

All things are written for our learning.

39
Q

What is the primary topic of the stanza, lines 12-26?

A

The moral implications of actions and the nature of flattery.

40
Q

What kind of home does Chanticleer have?

A

A barnyard.

41
Q

What is happening in lines 62-70?

A

Chanticleer is expressing fear and concern about a dream.

42
Q

What context clues help interpret the word ‘aghast’ in line 69?

A

The surrounding description of fear and shock.

43
Q

In lines 78-85, what animal is described?

A

A fox.

44
Q

What does Pertelote suggest as a cure for scary dreams?

A

Herbs and remedies.

45
Q

What is the meaning of ‘tribulations’ in line 160?

A

Sufferings or trials.

46
Q

Why is it unexpected for an animal fable character to tell a story that teaches a lesson?

A

Because animals are usually not portrayed as having human-like wisdom.

47
Q

What is the moral truth for the fable that ends on line 242?

A

Beware of flatterers and false friends.

48
Q

What does the explanation in lines 297-298 turn into a parody?

A

A scholarly debate about dreams.

49
Q

What happens in each of Chanticleer’s examples?

A

They illustrate the foolishness of ignoring dreams.

50
Q

What types of authorities does Chanticleer cite in lines 290-328?

A
  • Ancient literature
  • The Bible
51
Q

What effect do the references in lines 303-330 have?

A

They add a serious tone to the tale.

52
Q

What is significant about Chanticleer’s mistranslation of the Latin tag in line 344?

A

It mocks the practice of using references to support opinions.

53
Q

What does Chanticleer do after concluding the debate on dreams?

A

He sings.

54
Q

What moral is Chaucer offering in lines 387-391?

A

To be cautious of deception and flattery.

55
Q

What context clues help interpret the word ‘counsel’ in line 441?

A

The surrounding discussion about advice and guidance.

56
Q

How does Chaucer’s description of Chanticleer lack of heroism make fun of scholarly explanations?

A

It highlights the absurdity of serious analysis in trivial situations.

57
Q

What compliments does the fox pay to Chanticleer?

A
  • Praise for his singing
  • Flattery about his beauty
58
Q

What happens to the reader’s faith in fables if every character tells them for their own ends?

A

It undermines the moral integrity of the story.

59
Q

What does ‘gorge’ likely mean in the context of the fox asking Chanticleer to stretch his neck?

A

To consume or devour.

60
Q

What epic story does Chaucer allude to in lamenting Chanticleer’s abduction?

A

The Iliad.

61
Q

What do the comparisons in lines 539-559 add to the mock-heroic style of the tale?

A

They elevate a trivial event to an epic scale.

62
Q

By what means does the fox capture Chanticleer?

A

By grabbing him by the neck.

63
Q

What does ‘contrived’ suggest about the fox’s actions?

A

It implies a sense of deceit or trickery.

64
Q

What general lesson about the power of words do Chanticleer and the fox’s fates suggest?

A

Words can be powerful and persuasive, influencing actions and beliefs.

65
Q

What additional lesson does the contrast between formal language and brutal reality suggest?

A

It highlights the disparity between perception and reality.

English (2 decks)

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