Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales (c. 1390s)
On their way to Canterbury from London, a group of pilgrims from all walks of life tells stories
that form the richest literary portrait of medieval England. Often considered the first great
English poet, Chaucer was, in his way, as much concerned with the relationship between this
life and the afterlife as Dante.
Generic Complexity of the Canterbury Tales: different genres give different views of the world,
different vocabularies, and different images for truth.
 Romance (Knight's Tale) deals with human emotions and relationships.
 Fabliau (Miller's Tale) deals with the basic human needs of food, sex, or money.
 Saint's Life (Second Nun's Tale, Prioress's Tale) deals with operations of God in holy person's life.
 Moral Tales (Pardoner's Tale, Melibee) deal with orthodox morality.
 Sermons and Ethical Treatises (Parson's Tale) deal with spiritual matters.
Prepare the reading and these questions. Your answers should be typed please.
The Nun’s Priest’s Tale – due 11/15
1. Describe the allegory found in The Nun’s Priest’s Tale.
2. Pg. 606: “Chaucer’s tale is a delightful combination of…and mock-heroic humor…”
Analyze the humor of the tale in detail (say more than “it’s humorous, funny, or any
variation on those vague statements – consider the elements of comedy): what are the
humorous elements, and what is the effect of these elements on the supposed serious moral.
3. Are there any connections between the Nun’s Priest’s portrait in the general prologue and
his tale? Speculate about why the Nun’s Priest’s tells this tale. Consider the three-fold
divisions of medieval life.
The Miller’s Prologue and Tale – due 11/18
1. Describe how The Miller's Tale qualifies as a fabliau.
2. Analyze the most important driving forces of the fabliau world. Compare the fabliau
world to the romance world.
3. Are there any connections between the Miller’s portrait in the general prologue, his
prologue, and his tale? Speculate about why the Miller tells this tale. Consider the threefold divisions of medieval life.
The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale – due 11/22
1. How does the debate between experience and authority play itself out in the Wife's
prologue? What is the effect of her "preaching" on this subject?
2. Is the Wife a feminist figure (and what do you mean by "feminist”)? Can this anachronistic
term be usefully applied to Chaucer's character at all? Why or why not?
3. Are there any connections between the Wife's portrait in the general prologue, her prologue
and her tale? Speculate about why the Wife tells this tale - is this a female fantasy? Explain.
Consider the Medieval Christian perspective….
 What is the nature of sin?
 Is perfect justice possible, in either this world or another?
 How can happiness be attained?
 Are we more likely to be deterred from wrongdoing because of the consequences to others or
the consequences to ourselves?