Thanksgiving Break Assignment
(Hurricane Make-up Work)
“The Monk’s Tale”
Background: “The Monk’s Tale” consists of a series of tragedies. In the Middle Ages, a tragedy
was the narrative of the downfall of someone from a position of power. However, this downfall
was not necessarily the result of a tragic flaw. Rather, it was caused by Fortune. Chaucer uses a
great variety of sources in “The Monk’s Tale”: the Bible (Vulgate), Dante, Boccaccio, and
current events, for example.
Step One: Choose and read three of the following tragedies narrated by the Monk: Samson,
Hercules, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Zenobia, Peter of Spain, Pierre de Lusignan, Barnabo de
Lumbardia, Ugolina de Pisa, Nero, Holofernes, Antioch, Alexander, Julius Caesar, and Cresus.
As you read, be sure to pay attention to footnotes. (Note: the shortest ones are not necessarily the
easiest for this assignment.)
Step Two: Look in the back of the book and read the explanatory notes on the tragedies you
have chosen.
Step Three: Now, if you want, you can do a bit of research. However, I want you to focus on
Chaucer’s portrayal of these characters. If you refer to other portrayals, you need to emphasize
how Chaucer conforms to or alters them. If you do outside research (and you don’t really have
to), you must document and include a Works Cited page that accords with MLA documentation.
Step Five: Write a brief account (about one full page each) of what you have found on each of
these characters, referencing the notes and any outside sources you have consulted.
Due Tuesday, November 29th.