Questions and Answers
What were the pilgrims primarily doing to pass the time during their journey?
What was the common table practice regarding utensils during the meal?
How did the pilgrims dispose of bones and scraps during their meals?
What does the description of the merchant's attire suggest about his social status?
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What was the significance of the napkin during meals, as mentioned in the narrative?
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At what age did Thomas More become a Member of Parliament?
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What was the title of Thomas More's work that is considered the first book in classical English prose?
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Which monarch's proposal did More openly oppose, leading to conflicts with the crown?
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Which of the following editions of Utopia appeared first and where was it printed?
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What was the full title of More's work Utopia?
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Study Notes
Pilgrimage and Storytelling
- A group of thirty pilgrims travels to Canterbury, representing various societal classes.
- They share stories to entertain themselves during the journey.
- The Prologue includes a discussion on medieval table manners, highlighting customs like handwashing and the absence of forks.
Social Class and Characters
- Pilgrims' backgrounds reflect class divisions between "gentles" and "churls."
- A notable character described is a merchant, depicted with a "forked beard" and a "Floundersh beaver hat," symbolizing status.
- Chaucer exhibits awareness of how tales might offend higher social classes, yet presents a tolerant view of social stratification.
Thomas More's Early Life and Work
- Thomas More began his political career as a Member of Parliament at twenty-one.
- He opposed King Henry VII's proposal for a subsidy for his daughter's marriage, showcasing his political influence.
- More faced royal discontent for his opposition, being labeled a disappointment to the King.
Thomas More's Literary Contributions
- More's writings include "Life of Pico of Mirandola" and "Utopia," the latter becoming a significant social and political satire.
- "Utopia" was published in Latin and later translated posthumously into English.
- His other works include pamphlets against Lutheranism and various writings in both Latin and English.
Early English Drama
- The English drama has roots in both lay and religious contexts, with Mystery Plays depicting biblical narratives and Miracle Plays featuring saints' lives.
- Church rituals, especially Mass, significantly influenced dramatic performances during Holy Days.
Miracle Plays and Their Popularity
- Miracle Plays became more popular than Mysteries due to their engaging subject matter.
- Major towns like York, Chester, and Coventry had their own cycles of plays, often performed by local guilds.
- An example includes the Orleans manuscript depicting St. Nicholas, recorded in Latin with French refrains.
Coventry Plays
- A cycle of plays from Coventry, possibly linked to the Grey Friars, consists of forty-two plays performed over multiple years.
- They were performed during the Festival of Corpus Christi, though evidence of their exact origins is unclear.
Interludes and John Heywood
- John Heywood's Interludes marked a transition towards entertainment-focused drama, distancing from allegorical themes.
- Heywood, a Roman Catholic and court entertainer, gained favor through connections to Thomas More.
- Significant works include "The Mery Play between the Pardoner and the Frere" and "The Spanish Tragedy."
Robert Greene and His Works
- Greene's plays include "Orlando Furioso" and "Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay," with notable storytelling in "Pandosto," which influenced Shakespeare's "The Winter’s Tale."
- He is recognized for blending autobiographical elements in his work "Groat’s Worth of Wit."
Christopher Marlowe: The Protagonist of Elizabethan Drama
- Marlowe is celebrated as a crucial figure in Elizabethan drama, with "Tamburlaine" showcasing a powerful central character.
- The play portrays Tamburlaine as a formidable conqueror with a complex and magnetic personality.
- "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus" explores the theme of selling one's soul to the Devil, emphasizing the Renaissance shift from medieval morals to humanistic perspectives.
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Description
Explore the fascinating tales of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury in Geoffrey Chaucer's classic work. This quiz covers the characters, stories, and themes presented by the diverse group of travelers from different societal backgrounds. Test your knowledge of the various narratives and insights into medieval life.
