Name Period Section One: Introduction, Knight through Friar Standards Focus: Satire

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1 Section One: Introduction, Knight through Friar Standards Focus: Satire In literature, satire refers to the use of poetry or prose to expose and promote ridicule of human faults and failures. In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer creates his characters to show their ridiculous sides and bring the faults and failures of society to light. Because he chooses to pick on members of all social classes or estates except the monarchy, The Canterbury Tales is known as an estate satire. In the General Prologue, Chaucer begins his satire as he describes some of the characters. As he shows through his descriptions of the Prioress, Monk, and Friar, Chaucer is able to use different strategies to develop his satires. Part A: Prioress To set up the satire of the Prioress, Chaucer uses a series of contrasting images in his description. A prioress is a nun who has been placed in charge of a convent. As a nun, the Prioress would be expected to uphold the vows taken by nuns including such things as poverty, chastity, and obedience to God and to her superiors. Directions: After reading Chaucer s description of the Prioress, complete the chart below with specific examples from the text. Explain Chaucer s description of the Prioress and tell why it is important. Finally, evaluate how this image does or does not fit with the normal image or expectations of a nun. An example has been done for you. Her way of smiling very simple and coy. (6) : She is smiling, which is generally a sign that a person wants to reach out to others and yet her smile is described as coy, giving the impression that there is something going on with her that we don t know about. Nuns are often portrayed as either very friendly, smiling, or as very stoic never smiling. The coy smile does not fit the image I have of a nun, since nuns are supposed to be pure and this gives the impression that she has secrets, or is flirtatious. : 2011 Secondary Solutions The Canterbury Tales Literature Guide

2 Name Period : : 1. Review the chart. What stands out as the oddest description for a nun? What description best fits your image of a nun? 2. What is your overall impression of the Prioress? 3. Given the contrasting examples, explain how Chaucer is attempting to create his satire. That is to say, which of the Prioress s human faults or failures is Chaucer attempting to ridicule? 2011 Secondary Solutions The Canterbury Tales Literature Guide

3 Part B: Monk Chaucer also satirizes the Monk; however, unlike the way he did with the Prioress, Chaucer builds his satire through a series of direct and indirect assertions about the monk s opposition to the traditional behavior of a monk. Directions: Complete the chart below with specific examples from the text that describe the Monk s behavior. Then determine whether the evidence of the proper behavior can be seen through a direct statement or if the reader has to infer the evidence. Explain your reasoning for each answer. Description of Monk s Behavior; page A Monk there was, one of the finest sort / Who rode the country; hunting was his sport. (7) Proper Monk Behavior Hunting was considered an unholy activity. Direct Statement/Inference; Direct Statement. Hunting contradicts the rules of his Order and this is made clear in the lines He did not rate that text at a plucked hen / Which says that hunters are not holy men (7). 1. Describe two differences and two similarities between the Monk and the Prioress. 2. Evaluate the Monk s behaviors versus those expected of him in the chart above and explain how Chaucer is using his behavior to create the satire Secondary Solutions The Canterbury Tales Literature Guide

4 3. Explain how Chaucer uses both direct statements and inferences to convey his satire. Part C: Friar Unlike the Monk and the Prioress, the Friar is a mendicant, which means he has to depend upon the generosity of the people he serves in order to survive. Living the life of a mendicant (a glorified beggar) can appear to be a life of selfless sacrifice but it can also be impetus for a more unholy path. The unscrupulous friar could use his position and authority to manipulate people out of money. It is this potential that Chaucer exploits to create his satire of the Friar. Directions: Identify examples in the text that show the Friar s behavior or activities. Then, explain how these behaviors or activities lend themselves more to the life of a manipulator than the life of an altruistic servant of the Lord. An example has been done for you. Behaviors/Activities So, glib with gallant phrase and well-turned speech. (8) and For though a widow mightn t have a shoe, / So pleasant was his holy how-d ye-do / He got his farthing from her just the same (10) The Friar is a good orator and an excellent speaker. While these could be good traits, the words glib and gallant seem to imply an exaggerated use of speech that lends itself to a manipulator. At the top of page 10 the Friar proves he is a manipulator when it says he sweet talked a shoeless widow out of her last bit of money. A truly selfless man would have offered her money instead Secondary Solutions The Canterbury Tales Literature Guide

5 Behaviors/Activities 1. Summarize the satire of the Friar in your own words. 2. Assess the dishonesty and deception perpetrated by the Prioress, Monk, and Friar. How are they similar? How are they different? 3. In your opinion, which specific act of deception is the worst? Explain. 4. What do you think is the larger satire that Chaucer alludes to with the descriptions of the Prioress, Monk, and Friar? Bonus: Design a diagram to represent the similarities and differences in the three satires of the Prioress, Monk, and Friar. Construct your diagram with concentric circles, in a chart format, or in a web or freeform diagram. Be sure to use colors, textures, shapes, and pictures to add depth to your analysis. Whichever form you choose, the diagrams should integrate the details used in the charts you completed in Parts A-C Secondary Solutions The Canterbury Tales Literature Guide