Week 3
1. What did Chauser do apart from being a writer?
He had two careers: a writer and important government official.
2. Why is he considered as the Father of English Language?
Geoffrey Chaucer is called the father of English literature because he was the first
to write what became generally well-known and recognized poems and stories
in the language of the common people of his time - medieval English. Until that
time, the language of the educated and of written literature in England was Latin
or French
3. How many characters are there in the Canterbury Tales? How many stories they
were supposed to tell?
There are 29 Characters. Tell 2 stories on the way to Canterbury and two more
stories on the way back to pass time, for it was a long journey.
4. Write about the story telling contest?
They met at Tabard Inn where the poet was staying. The story teller was
suggested by the Host of Tabard Inn and he acted as a referee to choose the best
teller. Teller of the best tale was awarded at the end. A dinner provided by his
fellow pilgrims of the Tabard. Anyone who rebelled against his ruling was to pay
all their travelling expenses.
5. Write ten names of the characters of the story?
Knight
Squire Cook
Yeoman Skipper
Prioress Doctor
Monk Wife of Bath
Friar Parson
Merchant Plowman
Oxford Cleric Miller
Serjeant at law Mancipte
Franklin Reeve
Guildsman Dyer, Carpenter) Sommoner
Weaver, Carpet Pardoner
6. How did Chauser portray the class structure in the Canterbury Tales?
He divided the characters into three groups; 1.Aristocrats 2.Churcmen
3.Commons
7. What is a Frame story?
A Frame Story is a literary device that binds together several different narratives.
Its a story (or stories) within a story.
8. How did Chauser portray the characters?
1. Chauser uses indirect characterisation when he tells how each character looks
and dresses.
This Yeoman wore a coat and hood of green,
2. Chauser also uses direct characterisation, when he comes right out and tells us
what a characters nature is --- Virtuous, vain, clever, and so on.
- There was a Friar, a wanton one and merry
- There was also a nun, a prioress
9. What is Fabliau?
A fabliau is a brief comic tale in verse. A humours, satirical kind of narrative.
Opposed to chivalric romance, Courtly Knight, and ideal religious churchman. It
is about The lustfulness of Knights and Corrupt member of the church.
10. What is Allegory?
Allegory is a figure of speech in which abstract ideas and principles are described
in terms of characters, figures and events.
Greek otherwise
-A story in verse or prose with a double meaning
- Its origin are religious
- The best known allegory in English Language John Bunyans Pilgrims process W.
Lagans Piers the Ploughman.
- Most of the classical myth is a form of allegory and is an attempt explain facts.
- Story of Ant and Grasshopper