A B C. Class: What does Chaucer think: Summary:

Transcription

1 THE CANTERBURY TALES INSTRUCTIONS: In the first line of column A, identify the character being described in column B. Based on the description of the character in the story, give a brief summary of your impression of the character in the space provided at the end of column B. In the spaces provided in column A, identify the social class to which each character belongs and what you think is Chaucer s attitude towards each character. Finally, place in column C the picture that you believe best depicts the character described.

2 A B C A wanton and a merry. He had arranged full many a marriage... at his own cost. Well liked by all... with Franklins... the worthy women of the town. He heard confessions gently. He was the finest beggar of his house. His two eyes twinkled. Summary:_ Summer s heat had burned his visage brown. Certainly he was a good fellow. Nice conscience was a thing he never kept. But as for craft, to reckon well the tides. By many a tempest had his beard been shaken. Summary:_

3 _ White was his beard as is the white daisy. He loved right well his morning sop in wine. He was Epicurus very son. Saint Julian he was. His bread and ale were always right well done. Baked meat was never wanting. Often acted as knight of shire. Summary:_ Hardy and big of brawn and big of bone. At wrestling, never failed. He d heave a door from hinges. His beard, as any sow or fox, was red. His mouth was like a furnace door for size. He was a jester and could poetize. And yet he had a thumb of gold. A bagpipe he could blow well. Summary:_

4 Discreet he was, and of great reverence: at least he seemed so. He took large fees. Nowhere a man so busy of his class, And yet he seemed much busier than he was. He rode but badly in a medley coat. Summary:_ A worthy man. Bore himself meekly as a maid. Never yet had any vileness said. Of simple fustian wore he a jupon. Summary:

5 Nor he himself too fat. Nor was so worldly as to gain office. He would rather have at his bed s head some twenty books. For all he was a poor philosopher. Of study took he utmost care and heed. Summary:_ Loudly he sang Come hither love to me. Had hair as yellow as wax. As shiny eyes he had as has a hare. A voice he had that bleated like a goat. For in his bag he had a pillowcase. In that day more money stood to gain. But best of all he sang the offertory. Summary:_

6 _ Her kerchiefs were of finest weave and ground. Her hose were of the choicest scarlet red. Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue. Not counting other company in youth. Gap- toothed was she, it is no lie to say. As broad as is a buckler or a targe. The remedies of love she knew. Summary:_ And he was clad in coat and hood of green. A cropped head had he and a sun- browned face. Of woodcraft knew he all the useful ways. On breast a Christopher of silver sheen. Summary:_

7 With forked beard, and girt In motley gown, His boots were fastened rather elegantly. At money changing he could make a crown. This worthy man kept all his wits well set. Indeed he was a worthy man withal. Summary:_ For a good true toiler, he, Living in peace and perfect charity. He loved God most, and that with his whole heart, At all times... he played or plied his art, He d thresh and dig, with never thought of pelf, He paid his taxes, fully, fairly, well. Summary:_

8 In her smiling, modest was and coy. French of Paris was not hers to know. In courtesy she had delight and Zest. She was at pains to counterfeit the look. She had some little dogs. She was not undergrown. Summary:_ That he so knew the markets, and when to buy, He never found himself high and dry. Now is it not of God a full fair grace That such a vulgar man has with to pace The wisdom of a crowd of learned men? Summary:_

9 He was a slender, choleric man, Who shaved his beard as closely as razor can. His top was tonsured like a pulpiteer s. Long were his legs and they were very lean, Well could he manage granary and bin; There was no agent, hind, or herd who d cheat But he knew well his cunning and deceit. A carpenter, as fine as could be seen. Summary:_ For he was grounded in astronomy. Well read was he in Esculapious, It s no libel To say he read but little in the Bible. In blue and scarlet he went clad, withal, And yet he was right chary of expense. Summary:_

10 Canterbury Pilgrims Chaucer The Cook The Doctor Fortune The Clerk of Oxford The Franklin The Friar The Knight The Manciple

11 The Man of Laws The Merchant The Miller The Monk The Nun s Priest The Pardoner The Plowman The Prioress The Reeve The Sea Captain

12 The Second Nun The Squire The Summoner The Wife of Bath The Yeoman A Pleasant Portrait Dance of Death

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