Reading cues
Oxford cleric—What are his priorities?
How does his appearance tie in with his priorities? Give and explain examples.
Is he like the other church figures we have seen in the General Prologue?
Why would Chaucer make a church student this way?
Does this remind you of anyone in today’s society? How so?
Sergeant-at-law—What is good and what is bad about the Sergeant-at-law’s job performance?
What skills and what degree of knowledge does he possess?
How does his clothing connect to his personality?
Does this remind you of anyone in today’s society? How so?
Franklin—How does he fit in with the stereotypes of his class?
How does he break stereotypes of his class?
For what reasons might Chaucer create a character like this?
Does this remind you of anyone in today’s society? How so?
5 guildsmen— How do they fit in and not fit in with the stereotypes of their class?
What do the lines about their wives mean? (Look at the last eight lines).
For what reasons might Chaucer create characters like this?
Why would he describe all five of them together instead of differentiating like he does
with several church figures?
Do they remind you of anyone in today’s society? How so?
Cook AND Skipper—For the Cook—How is he at his job, and what weird detail does Chaucer include?
Why would he include this detail?
For the Skipper—What actions of his show the type of person he is and the type of
moral code he follows?
Do any details strike you as funny?
Why would Chaucer include this character?
Doctor—How does this doctor determine what is wrong with patients?
What can you learn about medical practices of the time from his description?
What skills and failings does this doctor possess?
What is his motivation?
What do lines 435-438 mean?
What is the significance of the way he dresses?