Page 169 - DENG405_BRITISH_POETRY

British Poetry

Notes 18.6 Review Questions

1. By whom was alchemy practiced and why was its practice confined to this group?
2. What angers the pilgrim Canon? What does he do because of his anger?
3. Describe the two tricks the alchemist employs to dupe the priest in the Canon’s Yeoman’s
tale.
4. What did phoebus crow look like before he was cursed?
5. What requirement necessitated the clergy to instruct the laity about penitence?
Answers: Self Assessment

1. It contains action, the Canon and his Yeoman ride up to join the travelers.
2. The attempt to transmute base metals into gold.
3. Alchemy always fails.
4. They keep hoping that the next time they will be successful.
5. It is based in myth.
6. He is given more wine.
7. There are several unfaithful wives in the various tales.
8. They were expecting a merry tale.
9. He says he will not hide his message in a lowly fable.
10. It is a sermon.

18.7 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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