Students' Copy of English 9 Lesson 2 PDF

FIND SOMEONE WHO...  The teacher will show different categories. When you see a category that applies to you, stand up! Then, take a moment to see others who also stood up. e.g.: Find someone who loves Math. Find someone who loves to read. Find someone who has tr...

FIND SOMEONE WHO...  The teacher will show different categories. When you see a category that applies to you, stand up! Then, take a moment to see others who also stood up. e.g.: Find someone who loves Math. Find someone who loves to read. Find someone who has traveled to another country. Find someone who likes to watch movies. Find someone who enjoys hiking or outdoor activities. MEDIEVAL ENGLISH SOCIETY The term "medieval" comes from the Latin phrase medium aevum, which means "the middle ages." Medieval literature often explores the idea of belonging to a community, whether it be a knightly order, a religious group, or a feudal society. Characters frequently seek to find their place within these structures, reflecting the importance of social roles and identity. How does this game teach you about the importance of belonging to a group, similar to the theme in medieval literature? What does it mean to belong? In Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, the diverse group of pilgrims represents various facets of medieval society, each character grappling with their role and place within the broader community. GEOFFREY CHAUCER Geoffrey Chaucer was an influential English poet and author born around 1343 in London. He is best known for his seminal work, The Canterbury Tales, which is considered one of the greatest works of English literature. Chaucer’s life spanned a period of significant social and political change in England, and his experiences greatly influenced his writing. THE GENERAL PROLOGUE: THE CANTERBURY TALES The General Prologue of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales serves as an introduction to the collection of stories that follow. It sets the stage for the pilgrimage narrative and provides essential background on the characters and themes of the work.  PILGRIMAGE PILGRIM Pilgrimage refers to A pilgrim is someone who undertakes a journey to a journey, typically a sacred place or site of undertaken for religious significance. This religious or spiritual journey is often reasons, to a motivated by spiritual or religious reasons and can sacred or be seen as a form of significant place. devotion.  WHY ARE PILGRIMS GOING ON A PILGRIMAGE? The primary reason for the pilgrimage is to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was martyred in 1170, was venerated as a saint, and visiting his shrine was believed to offer spiritual benefits such as healing or forgiveness of sins.  THE GENERAL PROLOGUE: THE CANTERBURY TALES  Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales was written in the late 14th century. The tales are a collection of stories told by various characters on a pilgrimage to Canterbury, and they offer a vivid portrayal of medieval English society.  Chaucer originally planned for each of the 30 pilgrims to tell four tales (two on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back), which would have made a total of 120 tales. However, only 24 tales are completed.  KEY POINTS: Introduction to the Pilgrimage: The prologue begins with the narrator (Chaucer himself) describing how, in the spring, people feel a natural inclination to go on pilgrimages. They seek to visit holy sites to atone for sins or seek blessings.  POINT OF VIEW: First-Person: Chaucer the pilgrim narrates the introduction and framework of the stories. Third-Person Limited: Each individual tale is told from a third- person limited perspective, focusing on the specific characters and events of that tale. Omniscient Commentary: Chaucer occasionally provides broader commentary, blending elements of an omniscient perspective into the narrative.  KEY POINTS: The Pilgrims Gather: The narrator describes meeting a group of 29 pilgrims at the Tabard Inn in Southwark, London, who are preparing to embark on the journey to Canterbury.  KEY POINTS: Character Descriptions: The General Prologue provides detailed descriptions of each pilgrim, highlighting their social status, personality, and occupation. Each character embodies various aspects of medieval society.  KEY POINTS: The Host’s Proposal: The Host of the inn, Harry Bailly, proposes that each pilgrim tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back. The one who tells the best stories will receive a free meal at the inn upon their return. The pilgrims agree to this plan, setting the stage for the storytelling that follows in the subsequent tales.  THE PILGRIMS Chaucer (The Narrator) The narrator makes it quite clear that he is also a character in his book. In the General Prologue, the narrator presents himself as a gregarious and naïve character.  THE PILGRIMS The Knight The first pilgrim Chaucer describes in the General Prologue, and the teller of the first tale. Brave, experienced, and prudent, the narrator greatly admires him.  THE KNIGHT’S TALE It tells the story of two cousins, Palamon and Arcite, who fall in love with the same woman, Emelye, while imprisoned by Duke Theseus of Athens. After escaping prison, they plan to settle their rivalry in a tournament. Each cousin has divine support—Arcite from Mars and Palamon from Venus. Arcite wins but is mortally injured. On his deathbed, he reconciles with Palamon and urges him to marry Emelye. Palamon honors this request, and the tale concludes with their marriage. The story explores themes of chivalry, love, and fate.  THE PILGRIMS The Wife of Bath Bath is an English town on the Avon River, not the name of this woman’s husband. Though she is a seamstress by occupation, she seems to be a professional wife. She has been married five times and had many other affairs in her youth, making her well practiced in the art of love. She presents herself as someone who loves marriage but, from what we see of her, she also takes pleasure in rich attire, talking, and arguing. She is deaf in one ear and has a gap between her front teeth, which was considered attractive in Chaucer’s time. She has traveled on pilgrimages to Jerusalem three times and elsewhere in Europe as well.  THE WIFE OF BATH’S TALE Theme: Sovereignty means having control and authority over your own decisions and life. In the context of The Wife of Bath's Tale, it refers to the idea that women want to have the power and freedom to make their own choices, especially within a marriage.  THE PILGRIMS The Pardoner The Pardoner sells indulgences by exploiting religious beliefs and using trickery to convince people to pay for something that he knows has no real value.  THE PARDONER’S TALE The Outcome: The man who goes to town buys poison, intending to kill the others so he can keep all the treasure. When he returns, the two men kill him. They then drink the poisoned wine and die themselves. In the end, all three meet their deaths as a result of their greed. The Moral: The Pardoner’s tale illustrates that greed, or avarice, is the root of all evil. It shows how the pursuit of wealth can lead to one's downfall and serves as a warning against the corrupting power of money. The tale is ironic because it reflects the Pardoner's own vices. Although he preaches against greed, he is himself greedy and deceitful, using his position to exploit others for financial gain.  THE PILGRIMS The Miller The Miller is a working-class character who operates a mill, where he grinds grain into flour. He is described as a brawny, burly man with a large, flat nose and a beard that is somewhat red.  THE MILLER’S TALE Theme: Deception and Trickery Characters: John, Alison, Nicholas, Absolon  THE PILGRIMS The Squire: "The Squire's Tale" A tale of magical adventures involving a mysterious knight, a talking horse, and a magical mirror, which remains unfinished. (A young noble man training to be a knight)  THE PILGRIMS The Yeoman: "The Yeoman's Tale" This tale is not included in the manuscript, but it’s implied to be a tale of chivalry and adventure, potentially relating to his role as a forester. (a forester or an expert in woodland activities)  THE PILGRIMS The Prioress: "The Prioress's Tale" A religious tale about a young Christian boy who is murdered by Jews for singing a hymn to the Virgin Mary, and his soul is eventually saved by a miraculous intervention. (The prioress is a nun who holds a leadership position within a religious community)  THE PILGRIMS The Second Nun: "The Second Nun's Tale" A hagiographic tale about the life of Saint Cecilia, who remains steadfast in her Christian faith despite persecution and martyrdom.