chaucer stupid humanities quiz

geoffrey chaucer

father of english literature, exact age isn't known, but he lived through two of the black plagues, grew up in the court and wrote down what he saw, so apparently thats supposed to mean he's a good writer. we know he died in 1400

chaucer the pilgrim

naive, pretending not to see the faults in others

chaucer the writer

sarcastic and mocks the pilgrims, but does it in a subtle manner

the knight character description

noble and experienced knight, fought in many battles. He is the ideal knight (modest, honorable, chivalrous). However, he hints at violence behind knighthood

the squire character description

focused more on courtly love than fighting, is the knight's son, and is young. More interested in impressing women than going to war, and enjoys poetry, music, dancing and other forms of art. (loves clothes too)

madame eglantine (the prioress) character description

tries too hard to act like a courtly lady than a religious figure. She is vain, which chaucer hints at. She is overly concerned with delicate and refined table manners, wordly beauty, and social status. She is a contradiction of true piety

the monk character description

ignores and rejects traditional monastic rules. He prefers hunting, fine clothes, rich food that are worldly concerns. He does not find the value of studying and praying inside, saying that those traditionsa re outdated. He is a clear symbol of religious corruption

the friar character description

manipulative and charistmatic churchman who takes money in exchange for absoltuion. He is corrupt, does not help the poor, and spends most of his time in taverns

the wife of bath character description

married 5 times, skilled in love and relationships, challenges gender roles, debates about marriage and power. (dr c loves this one because she represents the complex role of women in medieval society)

the parish priest (parson)

good and virtuous pilgrim, practices what he preaches, believes clergy should lead by example. shows that there is corruption in the church, but there is still good

the pardoner

sells fake relics and indulgences, prays on peoples fears to generate wealth. Has an effeminate appearance, waxy yellow hair, his description is meant to put the reader at unease. This adds to his sense of deception and manipulation

the barman character description

proposes a storytelling contest, shrewed businessman, ensuring the journey remains entertaining and engaging. he is the owner of the tabard inn

chaucer the writer's irony allows him to expose

hypocrisy, corruption, and foolishness without directly attacking people (dr c loves chaucer for this, thinks he's super clever)

where was chaucer born

london

chaucer is from a middle-class family, meaning he was

well educated, fluent in multiple languages, exposed to a wide variety of european literature and ideas

significance of chaucer's writing

written in middle english, not in french or latin (middle english was the vernacular, it was considered a lesser language than french or latin)

canterbury tales description

24 stories on the pilgrimage to the shrine of st thomas becket in canterbury; left unfinished

chaucer uses the pilgrims to show people from different

social classes, professions, and backgrounds.

themes of canterbury tales

corruption in the church, love, greed, class struggles, religious devotion

chaucer often uses satir to criticize aspects of society, especially the ______. he also highlights ______ and flaws of his characters

Clergy; hypocrisy

the pilgrims of chaucer are meant to represent a (...); chaucer expands into each character by providing them with

sterotype/social role of society; complexity and nuance