The Nun’s Priest’s Tale Study Questions
Respond to the following questions based on the tale.
1. Describe the setting of the tale.
2. Describe the physical characteristics of Chanticleer and Pertelote.
3. Provide any allusions to the mock-heroic style, especially in terms of how the characters are “dressed”.
Also, look at the way the characters are described by the Nun’s Priest.
4. What is Pertelote’s response to Chanticleer’s “awful dream”?
5. What does Pertelote say is the cause of such dreams?
6. What will she do to cure Chanticleer of his dreams?
7. Does Chanticleer agree with her assessment of his dreams? Why or why not?
8. Provide an example of this tale poking fun at courtly love (love between a knight and his lady, or a
prince and his princess.)
9. What seems to be a dominant character flaw of Chanticleer’s?
10. What types of historical/literary authorities does Chanticleer allude to in defending his claim that dreams
are prophetic?
11. How does the Priest (through Chanticleer’s words) mock courtly love?
12. How does the tale mock, or parody, an epic tale about heroes and villains?
13. How does the Priest separate himself from Chanticleer’s philosophies about the weaknesses of women?
14. How does Sir Russell Fox outsmart Chanticleer?
15. How does Chanticleer outsmart Sir Russell Fox?
16. Give a moral to this tale.
The Nun’s Priest’s Tale Study Questions
Respond to the following questions based on the tale.
1. Describe the setting of the tale.
2. Describe the physical characteristics of Chanticleer and Pertelote.
3. Provide any allusions to the mock-heroic style, especially in terms of how the characters are “dressed”.
Also, look at the way the characters are described by the Nun’s Priest.
4. What is Pertelote’s response to Chanticleer’s “awful dream”?
5. What does Pertelote say is the cause of such dreams?
6. What will she do to cure Chanticleer of his dreams?
7. Does Chanticleer agree with her assessment of his dreams? Why or why not?
8. Provide an example of this tale poking fun at courtly love (love between a knight and his lady, or a
prince and his princess.)
9. What seems to be a dominant character flaw of Chanticleer’s?
10. What types of historical/literary authorities does Chanticleer allude to in defending his claim that dreams
are prophetic?
11. How does the Priest (through Chanticleer’s words) mock courtly love?
12. How does the tale mock, or parody, an epic tale about heroes and villains?
13. How does the Priest separate himself from Chanticleer’s philosophies about the weaknesses of women?
14. How does Sir Russell Fox outsmart Chanticleer?
15. How does Chanticleer outsmart Sir Russell Fox?
16. Give a moral to this tale.