Week 9

Question 1

4 functions imagery

Answer 1

1. supplement description of a character
2. contrast or group together characters
3. foreshadow future actions
4. comedic effects

Question 2

Nicholas compared to animals

Answer 2

Not done, b/c comparison to animals is degrading, Nicholas is smart and ‘above’ other characters

Question 3

Music imagery: Nicholas

Answer 3

psaltry and sings

Question 4

Music imagery: Absolon

Answer 4

fiddle and sings

Question 5

Music imagery: Alison

Answer 5

sings

Question 6

Music imagery: John

Answer 6

does not play any music, music is linked to sex and youth, John is neither

Question 7

Sweetness imagery

Answer 7

Excludes John again

Sign of youth

Question 8

Parody in MT

Answer 8

courtly love

and biblical material parody

Question 9

Bible parody

Answer 9

Absolon named after religious figure
Mary was also young wife of carpenter (reference Nick sings Angelus Ad Virginem)
Absolon paraphrases Song of Songs
Noah's flood
Alison threatens to cast a stone

Question 10

Fabliau genre

Answer 10

elements of romance are reversed

flourished in France

Question 11

Fabliau characteristics

Answer 11

Brief comic tale in verse
Setting: Time is present, settings are real, places are familiar
Characters: ordinary sorts
Subject matter: everyday life, usually scurrilous, scatological and obscene
Plot: tricks intended to deceive somebody

Question 12

Fabliau justice

Answer 12

tricksters are tricked in the end

Question 13

Fabliau justice in MT

Answer 13

unnatural behaviour is punished

natural behaviour is not punished

Question 14

Courtly Love parody

Answer 14

knight declares his ‘secret love’ to his lady
lady rejects his love
knight falls ill ‘malady of love’