Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, and Middle English

Bellwork: Nov 16 (A), 17 (B) • What is the difference between: “a hearty

welcome,” and “a cordial reception?”

• What do you picture for each phrase? TED Video

(Write for 3 mins)

Bellwork Notes • Geoffrey Chaucer • b. (1343) – d. (1400) • Considered to be the greatest

English poet of the Middle Ages

• Philosopher, poet, merchant, traveler, alchemist, worked for Kings

• Wrote in English – Not in French or Latin

Bellwork Notes • Uses the vernacular

(English) • Tells a story using

commoners – Friars, farmers, a

woman, and merchants • Written in illuminated

manuscripts

Bellwork Notes • The Canterbury Tales Themes

– Religion – Social Class – Contemporary Culture

• of 1380’s – 1390’s – Gender Roles – -Death

• The plague

• Themes are explored within each character’s story.

Bellwork Notes Modern Translation (Modern English This friar boasts that he knows hell, And God knows that it is little wonder; Friars and fiends are seldom far apart. For, by God, you have ofttimes heard tell How a friar was taken to hell In spirit, once by a vision;

Original Text (Middle English) This frere bosteth that he knoweth helle, And God it woot, that it is litel wonder; Freres and feendes been but lyte asonder. For, pardee, ye han ofte tyme herd telle How that a frere ravyshed was to helle In spirit ones by a visioun;

Bellwork Notes • Language and culture and inescapably

linked. • His characters are common

– They deal with realistic issues for the time

• The language in which he write is common – Anyone could read his work

• He writes a very earthy story – Some lofty ideals, but very real characters

• There’s dirt, grime, filth, and vulgarity in this world.

• It’s not populated by angels or chivalrous kinghts

Bellwork: Nov 18 (A), 19 (B) • Have you ever been on a long trip?

• Who was with you?

• What did you do to pass the time?

(Write for 3 mins)

Group Work • Pick a character

– Knight (124), Nun/Prioress (127), Monk(128) Friar (129), Oxford Cleric (131), Sergeant (132), Franklin (132), Cook (133), Doctor (134), Wife of Bath (135), Miller (137), Summoner (139).

• What is his/her personality? • What does he/she look like? • What social class is he/she? • Who would play him/her in a movie?

Quiz: Nov 20 (A), 30 (B) 1. Who wrote The Canterbury Tales? 2. When was it written (approximately)? 3. Who is the narrator? 4. How many people are on the pilgrimage? 5. Where are they going? 6. Why do they tell stories?

Bellwork- Nov 20 (A), 30 (B) (The Pardoner’s Tale) • Can we beat, cheat, or defeat Death?

– Why or Why not? Explain.

• Would you want to live forever?

• What experiences have you had with death?

(Write for 3 mins)

Bellwork- Dec 1 (A), 2 (B) (The Wife of Bath’s Tale) • What do women want?

– What did women want in Chaucer’s time? – What do women want today?

• Do men know, or think they know, what women

want? – What do men want?

Keep your answers school appropriate (Write for 3 mins)

Bellwork- Dec 3 (A), 4 (B) (The Nun’s Priest Tale) • Are dreams (at night) just dreams?

• What can we learn from dreams, if anything?

• Can your dreams be premonitions (déjà vu)?

(Write for 3 mins)