Tier Two Vocabulary — Chaucer Key Words

Question 1

Sardonic

Answer 1

humorous but critical

Question 2

Irony

Answer 2

subverts an earlier idea

Question 3

Hierarchy

Answer 3

the order in which people are ranked according to status

Question 4

Dichotomy

Answer 4

complete opposites / split in half

Question 5

the Three estates

Answer 5

Church
Nobility
Peasants

Question 6

Three Diegetic levels

Answer 6

Chaucer the poet
Chaucer the pilgrim
Chaucer the narrator

Question 7

Pilgrim

Answer 7

anyone who goes on a pilgrimage, a visit to a place of some significance

Question 8

Misogynistic

Answer 8

involve or show a dislike of women

Question 9

Roman a clef

Answer 9

a story in which real people or events appear with invented names

Question 10

Solipsistic

Answer 10

extreme egocentrism - to put oneself at the centre of all decisions

Question 11

Theocratic

Answer 11

a rule which is determined by a religious philosophy

Question 12

Proselytise

Answer 12

try to persuade someone to share your beliefs, especially religious or political beliefs

Question 13

Imprudent

Answer 13

impractical

Question 14

Ambivalent

Answer 14

uncertain whether they really want it or whether they really approve of it

Question 15

Asinine

Answer 15

foolish

Question 16

Lecherous

Answer 16

offensive sexual desire

Question 17

Placebo

Answer 17

an inactive substance or sham form of therapy

OR

something said or done to please or humour another