Why does it matter that Chaucer used Middle English for his poetry instead of French or Latin?
He lent credibility to the "language of the everyday people."
100
To where are the pilgrims traveling and why?
To Canterbury, to see the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket. (15)
100
What is vernacular?
The "everyday language" or "the language of the common people."
200
What is Chaucer’s “nickname” in the world of literature?
The Father of English Poetry (98).
200
Why did Chaucer choose to write his poetry in iambic pentameter?
It’s the poetic rhythm that most closely matches the way English is spoken. (99)
200
How did The Canterbury Tales represent and relate to "everyman"?
It describes pilgrims from all walks of life, all social classes, and therefore gave readers of all classes stories about people who were just like them. (101)
200
What happened to St. Thomas a Becket to make him a martyr?
He was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by King Henry II's knights over a conflict regarding religious differences. (15)
200
What is a frame tale?
A larger story within which there are other, smaller stories. (14)
300
WHY is Chaucer considered the “Father of English Poetry”?
By writing his poems in English, he made the English language a respectable language for composing literature. (98)
300
What author (and his collection of tales) influenced Chaucer to write “The Canterbury Tales”?
Giovanni Boccaccio, the “Decameron” (99)
300
How did Chaucer's characters compare to those in the literature of his day?
Although they are "types" of people, he used well-rounded flesh-and-blood people instead of epic, larger-than-life characters. (14)
300
How many pilgrims are traveling to Canterbury for their pilgrimage?
29 pilgrims + the host = 30 travelers (14)
300
What is iambic pentameter?
Ten syllables, with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. (99)
400
Give three different jobs that Chaucer held during his life.
Page, soldier, Government official, king’s ambassador, justice of the peace, member of Parliament (98)
400
What is the “frame” or “framing device” that Chaucer uses for The Canterbury Tales?
30 different pilgrims are traveling to Canterbury and have to tell stories along the way. (14)
400
Why is a “pilgrimage story” considered a “quest narrative?
A pilgrimage story is similar to a hero's quest because both people start out with a goal in mind, and the story unfolds as they pursue their goal. (101/ inference)
400
Why did literacy of the common people change the desire for reading religious tracts or moralistic tales?
They wanted to read more realistic works—the Canterbury Tales helped that!
400
What is an archetype?
A character that is universal to humanity, like "the hero" or "the innocent child."
500
According to John Gardner, what did Chaucer do better than ANY OTHER POET?
He wrote easily about the complexity of this human life. (99)
500
What was Chaucer’s original plan for the tales before he died? How many did he complete?
He wanted to write 120 different tales (30 pilgrims X 4 tales each), but died after only writing 22. (14)
500
According to John Gardner, what set Chaucer’s writing apart, and made it enjoyable for his readers of that dark age?
His writing affirms life; is optimistic; is full of faith; has plenty of irony, joy, and depth. (99)
500
Why was the feudal system falling apart? Name the factor that damaged it and the outcome that feudal lords had to deal with.
The feudal system was falling apart because the ruling classes were losing power. The Black Death/Plague had killed a huge percentage of the workers that supported the system and a new middle class emerged to fill those roles, but demand more power.
500
What is a stereotype?
A stereotype is a type of character that occurs within a certain culture, like a "gangster" or "hipster" or "yuppie."