Prologue pt. II

Warm Up

• Describe the Woman/Wife of Bath in 2-4 sentences.

Reading Strategy p104

• What does the speaker say about he Cook?-paraphrase lines 389-397

Reading Strategy p104

• What does the speaker say about he Cook?-paraphrase lines 389-397

The Cook has many skills, such as boiling, roasting, and baking. He also has an ulcer on his knee.

Literary Element p104

• Given this information, how is line 105 ironic? Ironic: the use of words to convey a meaning

that is the opposite of its literal meaning.

Literary Element p104

• Given this information, how is line 105 ironic? Ironic: the use of words to convey a meaning

that is the opposite of its literal meaning.

The skipper misrepresents the speakers’ characterization by ignoring the “nicer rules of conscience” when he executes his prisoners by making them walk the plank.

Literary Element #2 p105

• What information in lines 435-454 about he Doctor contradicts the characterization in line 432?

Literary Element #2 p105

• What information in lines 435-454 about he Doctor contradicts the characterization in line 432?

Here again, the speaker is being ironic. The Doctor can hardly be “perfect” when he enters into lucrative drug deals with his apothecaries and profits greatly from extorting wealthy victims of the plague.

Cultural History 106 top

• Clothing Dyes – The Wife of Bath’s hose “of the finest scarlet red” were not just impressive for their color but for their cost. Scarlet was an expensive dye because it was made from the dried bodies of red beetles or other red insects.

Big Idea p106

• How were traveling and religion linked in the Middle Ages?

Big Idea p106

• How were traveling and religion linked in the Middle Ages?

The religious journey, known as a pilgrimage, was a key feature of Christianity in Medeival England. The Wife of Bath exemplifies this with her many pilgrimages.

Literary Element p106

• What qualifies the Wife of Bath as an expert on love?

Literary Element p106

• What qualifies the Wife of Bath as an expert on love?

She is an expert on love because “she’d had five husbands, all at the church door.”

Literary Element p107

• How does this proverb contrast the Parson’s character with that of other clerics, such as the Monk and the Friar?

Literary Element p107

• How does this proverb contrast the Parson’s character with that of other clerics, such as the Monk and the Friar

The Parson believes that he should set a good example for those to whom he preaches good behavior.

Big Idea p107

• How does the Plowman demonstrate the ideals of the Christian religion?

Big Idea p107

• How does the Plowman demonstrate the ideals of the Christian religion?

The qualities mentioned by the speaker –including honesty, generosity, and hard work-make the Plowman an ideal Christian.

Literary Element p108

• Given the characterization of the Miller, what sort of tale would you expect him to tell when his time comes?

Literary Element p108

• Given the characterization of the Miller, what sort of tale would you expect him to tell when his time comes?

The Miller will tell a tale full of “bawdy” humor.

Reading Strategy p109

• Paraphrase Chaucer’s description of the Reeve in lines 603-698.

Reading Strategy p109

• Paraphrase Chaucer’s description of the Reeve in lines 603-698.

FILL IN YOUR CHART

Literary Element p109

• What in the Reeve’s character might make him chose to ride at the back of the group of pilgrims?

Literary Element p109

• What in the Reeve’s character might make him chose to ride at the back of the group of pilgrims?

He is not very sociable OR he wants to keep an eye on the others in the group because he is suspicious by nature.