Satire and Social Change in Medieval Society
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Questions and Answers

What is meant by the term 'duress' as described in the vocabulary section?

Compulsion by threat or violence.

Match the vocabulary terms with their definitions:

Engender = To come into existence; originate Burnish = To make smooth or glossy by rubbing; polish Accrue = To come to one as a gain or increment Motley = Having many colors; variegated

What is the primary purpose of satire according to the content?

  • To criticize literature and art
  • To provoke corrective change in beliefs and behaviors (correct)
  • To entertain readers with humor
  • To create societal divisions

The Black Death led to a surplus of laborers in medieval England.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major societal event occurred in 1381 in England?

<p>widespread revolt of peasants</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Church faced widespread disillusionment due to its extensive _______ and internal strife.

<p>corruption</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the societal change with its description:

<p>Labor Shortage = Increased power for peasants to bargain for wages Rise of the Commercial Class = Merchants challenged traditional mores Church Corruption = Loss of faith in the institution Peasant Revolt of 1381 = Protests against high taxes and serfdom</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a demand of the peasants during the revolt?

<p>Establishment of a monarchy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ruling class in medieval England effectively managed to maintain the old feudal system without any challenges.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main reasons for the rise in power for peasants after the Black Death?

<p>Labor shortage due to high death tolls from the plague</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of The Canterbury Tales?

<p>It uses a frame tale structure. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chaucer’s narrative voice is presented as entirely serious and without irony.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two types of characterization Chaucer uses in The Canterbury Tales.

<p>Direct characterization and indirect characterization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do the pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales tell their tales?

<p>To entertain each other during their journey. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chaucer's tone is consistently dry and humorless throughout The Canterbury Tales.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pilgrimage in The Canterbury Tales?

<p>It serves as a unifying situation for the various tales.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main effect of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381?

<p>No king attempted to impose such high taxes afterward. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote 'Piers Plowman'.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Chaucer's most significant literary work?

<p>The Canterbury Tales</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chaucer was born in _____.

<p>London</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which societal class inspired much of Chaucer's writing?

<p>Middle-class and lower-class (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Canterbury Tales was completed by Chaucer before his death.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chaucer’s poetic career is typically divided into three phases: the French, Italian, and _____.

<p>English</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which literary form best describes Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales'?

<p>Collection of stories (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many tales was each pilgrim originally supposed to tell in 'The Canterbury Tales'?

<p>Four</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Satire

A literary genre that ridicules individuals, groups, or institutions to encourage positive change in beliefs and behaviors.

Black Death's impact on labor

The Black Death led to a labor shortage, giving peasants more bargaining power and leading to some leaving their manors.

Post-plague trade impact

Post-plague trade boosted the commercial class, giving them power and challenging traditional social norms.

Church's role in 14th century

The Church's corruption and internal conflicts created widespread distrust and disillusionment.

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Feudal system challenges

The labor shortage, growing commercial class, and Church issues weakened the economic base, hierarchy, and beliefs of the feudal system.

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Peasant revolts (1381)

Peasant revolts in 1381, triggered by high taxes and attempts to reinstate pre-plagues social hierarchy, resulted in property damage and demands for reform.

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Peasant demands (1381)

Peasants demanded lower taxes, the end of serfdom, and the redistribution of Church lands.

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Ruling class response to change

The ruling class tried to maintain the old system by controlling peasants, limiting wages and luxury goods, and raising taxes.

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Chaucer's Satire

Chaucer uses humor and exaggeration to criticize societal norms and individuals' failure to live up to their roles. He reveals hypocrisy through indirect commentary.

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Prioress's Hypocrisy

The Prioress shows excessive concern for small animals but lacks compassion for humans, highlighting her failure to uphold her religious ideals.

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Indirect Commentary

Chaucer uses description and subtle observations to reveal character flaws and societal inconsistencies without explicitly stating them.

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Character Sketch

A detailed description of a character's personality, appearance, and actions, often used to satirize social norms or expose hypocrisy.

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Modeling Chaucer's Technique

Creating satirical character sketches that use indirect commentary and description, mirroring Chaucer's style in 'The Prologue'.

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Peasants’ Revolt of 1381

A rebellion by lower classes, highlighting their growing power, though ultimately suppressed.

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Piers Plowman

A long narrative poem by William Langland, partly allegory and partly satire of social issues.

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The Canterbury Tales

A collection of stories by Geoffrey Chaucer, depicting English society and satirizing various aspects.

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Geoffrey Chaucer

A prominent English author of The Canterbury Tales and other works, influential in the development of vernacular English.

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Social change

Modification of societal structures or norms.

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Vernacular English

Everyday English language, as opposed to formal or academic language.

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Literary genres

Distinct categories of literary works with specific characteristics.

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The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer's collection of stories told by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury, illustrating medieval society.

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Medieval English society

Social structure and classes of people in England during the Middle Ages.

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Social satire

Satirical writings mocking societal flaws and issues.

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Literary craftsman

Skilled writer and poet.

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Diplomatic service

Official representation and negotiation with foreign entities/nations.

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Hundred Years' War

A long conflict between England and France.

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Italian Renaissance poetry

Poetry influenced by the Italian Renaissance.

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Frame Tale

A story that contains other stories within it; the overarching story that structures the narrative.

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Estates satire

A genre that critiques the social classes of a society.

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Pilgrim Stereotypes

Common, often exaggerated, characteristics used to represent social classes.

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Direct Characterization

Telling the reader directly about a character's traits.

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Indirect Characterization

Revealing a character's traits through actions, dialogue, or descriptions.

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Verbal Irony

Saying something but meaning the opposite.

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Situational Irony

When an event violates expectations.

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Social Microcosm

A small group representing a larger society.

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Medieval Society

The social structure and values of the Middle Ages.

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Feudal System

A social system with rigid hierarchy and obligations.

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Emerging Middle Class

A new social group of merchants and tradespeople.

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The Peasants' Revolt

A major uprising against social inequalities.

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Chaucer's Narrator

A fictional persona who introduces and comments on the pilgrims.

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Omniscient

Knowing everything.

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Estates

The social classes of medieval England.

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Study Notes

Satire and Social Change

  • Satire is a literary mode that ridicules individuals, groups, or institutions to spur positive change in beliefs and behaviour. It's often uncomfortable but can be powerful.

  • Societal change is inevitable, especially in societies marred by sin. Perfection won't be reached until Christ returns.

  • Literature, particularly satire, can be a tool for inspiring societal change.

Medieval English Society and the Black Death

  • 14th-century England faced significant social pressures.

  • The Black Death caused a tremendous labor shortage, giving peasants leverage to demand higher wages and freedom from manors.

  • Post-plague trade boosted the merchant class, granting them considerable power and challenging traditional social structures. They sought financial gain and luxury deemed inappropriate by Church.

  • Church corruption and internal conflict eroded public trust.

  • These changes threatened the foundations of the medieval feudal system.

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381

  • The ruling class tried to reverse these shifts by limiting peasant freedoms, lowering wages.

  • The English king increased taxes to fund wars.

  • Exasperated peasants revolted, protesting high taxes, serfdom, and Church corruption.

  • The revolt caused widespread damage and executions but resulted in significantly fewer taxes to ensure it would never reach that level again.

  • The revolt highlighted the growing power of lower classes.

Literary Responses to Societal Change

  • The Peasants' Revolt inspired major satirical works, like Piers Plowman (Langland) and The Canterbury Tales (Chaucer).

  • Langland's Piers Plowman was partly an allegory for a spiritual journey and socially critical satire.

  • Chaucer's Canterbury Tales documented social changes from diverse perspectives (diverse social classes and genres). These were key responses of documentation and societal transformation.

  • Both works are considered significant examples of British literature, influencing subsequent generations.

Chaucer's Life and Career

  • Geoffrey Chaucer was a prominent figure in medieval English society.

  • He rose through various societal roles; his positions included page, squire, diplomatic service, and more.

  • His experiences with diverse social groups shaped his writing.

  • His career traversed various periods: French, Italian, and English.

The Canterbury Tales

  • The Canterbury Tales features a frame story (pilgrims journeying to Canterbury, telling tales along the way).

  • Chaucer utilized various literary genres and depicted a diverse social spectrum, combining narration, characterization, and satire.

  • The pilgrims, from varying social classes, represent all aspects of humanity, characterized by both their strengths and flaws.

  • The narrator guides the tale, often with an omniscient, ironic, or naive perspective that can reflect a mixture of humorous portrayal and condemnation.

  • This complex work reflects the diversity and contradictions of late medieval English society.

  • Chaucer’s characters provide examples of traditional and non-traditional roles within the social order, reflecting the significant changes taking place in the period

  • The work is a satirical critique of medieval English society, illustrating Chaucer's observation of social norms and class conflicts.

  • The Canterbury Tales is highly appreciated for its complex structure, unique literary techniques, and rich characterization.

  • Chaucer successfully brought vernacular English into the literary sphere through using European literary models and adapting them to reflect the concerns of the time.

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Description

Explore how satire serves as a tool for inspiring societal change, particularly during the upheavals caused by the Black Death in 14th-century England. This quiz delves into the social structures and challenges faced during this period, highlighting the interplay between literature and societal transformation.

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