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Unit 9: The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales (Non-detailed Study): Discussion and Analysis-I

9.6 Review Questions Notes
1. How is each man released from prison?
2. Why is Arcite not recognized when he is employed in Emelye’s household?
3. What happens to prevent the man who won Emelye’s hand from marrying her?
4. Who does the Host ask to tell the next tale?
5. Who interrupts the Host’s request?
6. How does the Miller respond when the Host tries to talk him out of interrupting?

Answers: Self Assessment

1. There are 30 characters including Chaucer and the Host.
2. There are 23 tales, two of which are fragments.
3. The clergy represent corruption, greed and abuse of power in the church.
4. He is the highest ranking member of the group.
5. The romantic features of this tale are: nobel characters, ideal love, romantic past as setting
and trial by combat.
6. They are discovered, half-dead on the battle field at Thebes.
7. The theme of this tale is ideal love and chivalrous conduct.
8. Older men should know better than to marry young girls.
9. Sexual appetite is the motivational human need in this tale.
10. The theme of this tale is may be “youth and age are often at odds”.

9.7 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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