Write a paper based on The Canterbury Tales

In a paper of approximately 500 words (2 pages, double-spaced, 12 point font), respond to one of the following prompts. Do not waste time with a general introduction, instead start with your argument or main idea. For example, you could say something like this: “In this paper I will discuss how Chaucer’s portrait of the ____________ seems more positive than it really is.”  Then analyze the pilgrim portrait in 2-3 paragraphs focusing on details that seem significant for the points you want to make. Use brief quotations from the portrait as your evidence. An explanation of how to quote is below.

 

PROMPTS

1. Working with a single portrait in the General Prologue, examine how Chaucer manages to convey both criticism and praise in his description of an individual pilgrim. Consider how appearances relate to wealth, status, and identity. Be sure to work closely with individual details as you explore what is problematic and what is attractive in the pilgrim you analyze. 

2. The Wife of Bath’s Prologue takes the form of a mock sermon in which she “preaches” her own theology of marriage based on her experiences with five different husbands.  While Chaucer could hardly be called a feminist, it’s worth thinking about how the Wife presents an oddly ambiguous character. She’s not an ideal wife, and yet, she is also much more than an antifeminist caricature of a bad wife. Look at the final episode of the Wife’s Prologue where she describes her fifth marriage (503-828). Why does the Wife choose to end her prologue with this marriage? Using lines 811-828 as the basis for your analysis, consider how these lines change our understanding of her views on marriage.

3. In the Wife of Bath’s tale, the old hag is the character who most resembles the Wife herself. Look at the hag’s speech to the knight who is her reluctant husband in lines 251-347. Here she reprimands him for not behaving better towards her, especially given the fact that she just saved his life. What does the hag’s speech reveal about the Wife of Bath? What kind of meaning does it add to the fairy tale she tells? Describe and analyze how her tale relates to her prologue. 

4.  According to any moral standard of judgment, the Pardoner is hypocritical, corrupt, and totally sleazy. But Chaucer’s depiction of him does not just ask us to condemn him. His sermon and tale are among the best told stories on the entire pilgrimage and he clearly is very good at what he does, namely, cheat people out of their money by making them fear damnation for greed (and assorted other sins).  Your task is to write a defense of the Pardoner.  Why doesn’t he deserve our total condemnation?  In what ways does Chaucer want us to admire him? 

 

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PAPERS FOR THIS CLASS

· Papers should be double-spaced (this means no more than 3 lines per inch), in a readable font no larger than 12 point, with one-inch margins all around.  Keep a copy, if possible.  A brief title would be very much appreciated.

· When you’re quoting from Chaucer, give line numbers. Note the proper order of punctuation marks:

· Chaucer describes spring as the time when people like to go on pilgrimages:

“Then people think of holy pilgrimages/ Pilgrims dream of setting foot in far off/ lands, or

 worship at distant shrines” (11-13).

· If you quote from any other text or translation, you’ll need to provide full bibliographic information (and check with me first anyway).  If your argument draws in any substantial way on secondary material you’ve read, you’ll need to signal this with a footnote or parenthetical citation.  If you’re not sure whether you need to acknowledge a debt, go ahead and do it.  If you’re unclear about the form, or a doubtful case arises, see me or just attach a little note explaining the problem.