Canterbury Tales

In the Pardoner's Tale, one layer of irony is the Pardoner himself, who preaches against greed and yet embodies it in his own actions. Another layer is the three rioters who seek death but end up finding it through their own greed and deceit. The tale itself is also ironic as it is a moral story told by an immoral character.

The Canterbury Tales opens in Spring, during the month of April. It is possible to work out the precise day (since Chaucer tells us that 'the yonge sonne / hath in the Ramme his halfe corse yronne') - but April will be good enough for most purposes.

The tone in "The Clerk's Tale" can be described as serious, moralistic, and somber. Chaucer's narrative explores themes of patience, suffering, and divine justice while highlighting the hardships faced by the characters. There is a sense of resignation and acceptance of fate throughout the story.

Chaucer's parents were both connected to the service of the royal court. His father, John Chaucer, was a vintner and a successful wine merchant who served as a deputy to the King's Butler. His mother, Agnes Copton, was a homemaker involved in the management of the household.

The Knight is the perfect sort of medieval man at arms. He has participated in 15 great crusades and is honourable in his endeavors. The narrator really does not say much about him. The Knight favors happy stories and doesn't like conflict. WE know even less about the the Squire, the Knight's son, who is good looking and is defined by sexual references.The squire's physical characteristics strongly hit the reader's mind, yet not much is understood about Squire. Chaucer even portrays him in a morally neutral manner, he leaves the judgement of the squire to the reader. The squire is a victim of Chaucer's prejudice portraits, where some characters get detailed representation while others get brief, basic treatment. So aside from more detail given to the Knight and age there really isn't too much that strongly separates these two.

In the climax of the Pardoner's Tale, the three friends venture out. The two friends kill the third guy, but then the other two die as well.

A teacher told me recently; it's (and I give an exact number only in estimation) 17,534 lines. Definitely in the 17,000s.

In The Canterbury Tales, phlegm is one of the four bodily humors believed to affect a person's temperament and health according to medieval medicine. It was thought to be associated with the element of water and described as cold and moist, leading to characteristics such as sluggishness, apathy, and a phlegmatic temperament.

In some cases, Knights did follow the Code of Chivalry, and in a few of those cases, their doing was was recorded in chronicles and other books. It was worthy of being recorded because following the Code of Chivalry was not all that common among the knights.

Yes, the "Pardoner's Tale" is deemed morally effective as it serves as a cautionary tale against the sins of greed and deception. The characters in the story display immoral behavior, leading to their downfall, emphasizing the consequences of their actions. Through storytelling, the Pardoner aims to provoke reflection and moral introspection in his audience.

Chaucer as the pilgrim and narrator reveals a fascination with human nature, a sarcastic wit, and a critical eye towards societal norms and behaviors. His biases and values can be seen through his depiction of different characters in "The Canterbury Tales," showcasing his beliefs on morality, religion, and social hierarchy. He also exhibits a love for storytelling, satire, and a nuanced understanding of the complexities of human behavior.

The widow's prize rooster in The Canterbury Tales is named Chanticleer.

The two criteria used to determine the best tale in The Canterbury Tales are its entertainment value and its moral or message. Chaucer's tales are often judged based on how engaging and enjoyable they are to read, as well as the insights or lessons they provide about human nature.

One example of sarcasm in The Canterbury Tales is in "The Wife of Bath's Tale" when the Wife says that wives desire sovereignty over their husbands, but goes on to describe how she manipulates her husbands to get what she wants. Another example can be found in "The Pardoner's Tale" where the Pardoner preaches against greed and avarice while he himself is guilty of those sins.

The pilgrims likely had informal ways of deciding who would tell the first story, such as drawing straws or choosing the person with the most experience in storytelling. It could also have been a communal decision based on who had interesting experiences to share or who was known for their captivating storytelling skills.

The prioress is typically accompanied by the nun, the three priests, and the Second Nun in "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer.

A: Hyperbole.

By describing him like that, in an exaggerated fashion, he's trying to create a strong impression on the reader, rather than meaning he is literally a stone support column. Chaucer is getting across the idea that the Friar is a noble man and an asset to his order, a great support to them.

Author Geoffrey Chaucer seemed to favor The Knight in his Canterbury tales. He has fought valiantly in many battles, has never spoken a harsh word to anyone, and the narrator seems to speak of him without a hint of sarcasm or criticism.

The Parson also appears to be well-liked by the narrator. He practices what he preaches, lives the Gospel, and sets a prime example for all of his parishioners. He sacrifices his own comfort for the sake of others, and displays exactly what a religious figure ought to be, in contrast with the Monk and the Prioress.

This quote, likely from a traditional poem or tale, explores the varied desires of women for riches, fame, beauty, luxurious attire, lust, and marriage. It reflects the diverse aspirations and motivations that drive women in different aspects of their lives.

The marital status of the summoner in The Canterbury Tales is not explicitly stated in the text. It is not specified whether he is married or single. The focus is more on his appearance, behavior, and role in the story.

The primary purpose of classical allusions in "The Nun's Priest's Tale" is to add depth and complexity to the story by connecting it to a broader literary tradition. By referencing classical myths and literature, Chaucer showcases his knowledge and education while also enriching the themes and characters in his narrative. This serves to elevate the tale and engage readers with a more nuanced understanding of the text.

The rioters in "The Pardoner's Tale" represent greed, drunkenness, and foolishness. They are characterized by their desire for wealth and lack of moral integrity, leading to their downfall in the story.

The Pardoner's mitten, a symbol of deceit, will likely influence people by manipulating their emotions and exploiting their vulnerabilities. People may be swayed to act against their better judgment, succumbing to the Pardoner's persuasive tactics as he uses the mitten to further his malicious intentions.

Everyone was at the tavern in the book prologue to establish the setting and introduce key characters. The tavern setting provided an opportunity for interactions among characters and to set the stage for the story's plot to unfold.

The knight's first punishment in "The Wife of Bath's Tale" was to find the answer to what women desire most. His second punishment was to marry an old hag as his wife.