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Unit 15: The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales (Non-detailed Study): Discussion and Analysis-VII

15.4 Keywords Notes
Piteous : Arousing pity.
Vow : A solemn promise.
Relic : An object of interest surviving from an earlier time.
Genital : Relating to the human or animal reproductive organs.

15.5 Review Questions
1. What is an allegory?
2. Why would medivial audience have been familiar with the Pardoner’s tale?
3. What is the moral lesson of the Pardoner’s tale?

Answers: Self Assessment

1. He poisons the wine that he buys for them to drink.
2. He himself is totally motivated by greed and seems to have no virtue at all.
3. The wife spends the night making love to Don John. That is the repayment.
4. The Merchant never learns nor suspects the arrangement.
5. He is care ful.

15.6 Further Readings

The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales — Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales — Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer — Harold Bloom

Online links http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmCanterbury02.asp
http://www.bookrags.com/notes/ct/index.html

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