The Canterbury Tales

Unit Test Study Guide

Chaucer• Born 1340-ish, Died 1400 • Father was a wealthy merchant who helped

Chaucer get into King Edward III’s court • His wife was one of the queen’s ladies in

waiting • He had the most social mobility between

classes of anyone of his time • The Canterbury Tales was meant to be a

reflection of his society – Chaucer had access to all levels of the social

hierarchy (be able to identify the different levels)

The General Prologue• The style or technique used in writing The

Canterbury Tales is a frame tale• Chaucer uses the General Prologue to

create the frame by introducing the group of people going on the pilgrimage to the Canterbury Cathedral

• These people are going to the Canterbury Cathedral to see and pray over the relics there

• The most famous relic at the Canterbury Cathedral is the skull of St. Thomas Beckett

The characters from the General Prologue that you must know are:

1. Knight 2. Squire 3. Yeoman 4. Prioress 5. Monk6. Friar

7. Physician 8. Wife of Bath 9. Miller 10.Host11.Clerk 12.Man of the Law

The Knight’s Tale

You must know: • Vocabulary from the reading guide• Characters • Setting • Plot • Why the knight told the story first • How the story reflects his personality • The Knight’s description from the

General Prologue

The Miller’s Tale

You must know: • Vocabulary from the reading guide• Characters • Setting • Plot • Why the miller told the second story• How the story reflects his personality • The Miller’s description from the General

Prologue

Chivalry• The Code of Chivalry first came from

the notion of an ideal soldier. Men in the military were expected to follow and uphold all commandments in the code. It eventually developed into a social value that was expected of all knights.

Code of Chivalry1. To fear God and maintain His Church 2. To serve the liege lord in valor and faith 3. To protect the weak and defenseless 4. To refrain from the wanton giving of

offence 5. To live by honor and for glory 6. To despise monetary reward 7. To fight for the welfare of all 8. To obey those placed in authority 9. To guard the honor of fellow knights 10.To avoid unfairness, meanness and

deceit 11.At all times to speak the truth 12.To persevere to the end in any

enterprise begun 13.To respect the honor of women 14.Never to refuse a challenge from an

equal 15.Never to turn the back upon a foe

Courtly Love

1. The poet sings the joy of his love, which is an exalted feeling. 2. He praises and extols the woman he loves, who is superior and

can be approached only with veneration and restraint. 3. Love is a passion that affects the lover's body and soul and

tends to unbalance him (love-sickness). 4. The lover becomes his lady's servant. Her love must be difficult

to obtain, and he must prove his valor and faithfulness. The effect of this love is that the male lover becomes ennobled in his whole being, including his fighting power, social mores, and moral and religious attitudes. "Courtly love" thus becomes the force that generates courtliness or courtesy.

5. In some cases, this ennoblement is caused by the very thought of the beloved lady.

6. It happens instantly. Love at first sight is a common characteristic of Courtly Love.