Page 97 - DENG405_BRITISH_POETRY

British Poetry

Notes 10.5 Review Questions

1. What features of human nature are exaggerated in the Reeve’s tale?
2. What elements of the fabliau are present in the Reeve’s tale?
3. How does the Reeve pay the Miller back with this story?
4. Why was the Miller’s tale so offensive to the Reeve?
5. How does Perkin fund his partying?
Answers: Self Assessment

1. The pilgrim Miller is loud and boastful, he is also dishonest. Symkyn has the same
characteristics.
2. One of them has sex with his wife while the other sleeps with his virgin daughter.
3. They all find it very funny.
4. The Reeve says old men characterized by boasting, anger, lying and covetousness.
5. The infant is the cradle is used to confuse Symkyn’s wife and ultimately confuses one of the
young men, as well.

10.6 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

90 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY