2.1.9 writing assignment

1. Which story from "The Monk's Tale" would you choose to include in an anthology? Why do you think it would be a good choice for introducing students to Geoffrey Chaucer?

Belshazzar. I believe that Belshazzar is a good story to show those that pride can only get you so far, and its not always going to be on your side.


He had a son, Belshazzar was his name,
Who held the throne after his father's day,
But took no warning from him all the same,
Proud in his heart and proud in his display,
And an idolater as well, I say.
His high estate on which he so had prided
Himself, by Fortune soon was snatched away,
His kingdom taken from him and divided.

He made a feast and summoned all his lords
A certain day in mirth and minstrelsy,
And called a servant, as the Book records,
"Go and fetch forth the vessels, those," said he,
"My father took in his prosperity
Out of the Temple of Jerusalem,
That we may thank our gods for the degree
Of honour he and I have had of them."

His wife, his lords and all his concubines
Drank on, as long as appetite would last,
Out of these vessels, filled with sundry wines.
The king glanced at the wall; a shadow passed
As of an armless hand, and writing fast.
He quaked for terror, gazing at the wall;
The hand that made Belshazzar so aghast
Wrote Mene, Tekel, Peres, that was all.

In all the land not one magician there
Who could interpret what the writing meant;
But Daniel soon expounded it, "Beware,"
He said, "O King! God to your father lent
Glory and honour, kingdom, treasure, rent;
But he was proud and did not fear the Lord.
God therefore punished that impenitent
And took away his kingdom, crown and sword.

"He cast him from the company of men
To make his habitation in the dew
Among the beasts, eat grass and tread the fen
In rain and drought, until at last he knew
By grace and reason God alone is true
And has dominion over crowns and creatures.
Then God at last was minded to renew
His mercy and restored his realm and features.

"But you, his son, are proud, though well you know
The truth of all these things that I have told;
You are a rebel before God, his foe,
Having defiled his vessels of pure gold;
Your wife and all your wenches have made bold
To do the like and drink of many a wine
In honour of false gods, accurst of old.
But God will punish you, and this is his sign!

"That hand was sent of God, that on the wall
Wrote Mene, Tekel, Peres, as you see;
You reign is done, you have been weighed, and fall;
Your kingdom is divided and shall be
Given to Persians and the Medes," said he.
They slew the King Belshazzar the same night,
Darius took his throne and majesty,
Though taking them neither by law nor right.

My lords, from this the moral may be taken
that there's no lordship but is insecure.
When Fortune flees a man is left forsaken
Of glory, wealth and kingdom; all's past cure.
Even the friends he has will not endure,
For if good fortune makes your friends for you
Ill fortune makes them enemies for sure,
A proverb very trite and very true.

2. In one paragraph, write an objective summary of your story. Be sure to begin by telling students briefly how it fits into "The Monk's Tale." Don't forget to include a subheading that shows your reader which part of the introduction they're reading.

3. What are two themes of the story you've chosen? How are they related?

4. Under a new subheading, write one or two paragraphs describing how the narrator develops these themes in the story. Be sure to use evidence from the text to support your ideas.

5. Under the final subheading, write a paragraph describing the poetic structure of the story you've chosen.

6. Put your paragraphs together into your full introduction here with a subheading for each section.