Final Exam

Question 1

During what years did Chaucer live?

Answer 1

• From 1340 to 1400

Question 2

When did Chaucer write the “Canterbury Tales?”

Answer 2

• 1386

Question 3

What is the genre of the Prioress’ tale?

Answer 3

• Miracle of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Question 4

• Anti-semitism
• Miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• *Boy gets throat slit, but continues to sing
• Singing
• Pearl/Grain
• Blood-libel: myth that blood was used in the communion bread

Answer 4

List some of the topics found in the Prioress’ tale.

Question 5

• Narrator: Prioress
• Mother
• Child
• Priest
• Mayor (guilty of usury)

Answer 5

Who are the possible speakers in the Prioress’ tale?

Question 6

What is the genre of Sir Thopas’ tale?

Answer 6

• Romance

Question 7

• Elf Queen
• Stature/ description of Chaucer the Pilgrim
• Fantasy
• *Intends to draw a parallel between Miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary and fantasies like the Elf Queen

Answer 7

List some of the topics found in Sir Thopas’ tale.

Question 8

Who are the possible speakers in Sir Thopas’ tale?

Answer 8

• Sir Thopas

Question 9

What is the genre of Melibee’s tale?

Answer 9

• Moral Prose Treatise

Question 10

• Removal of senses
• Revenge
• Advice
• Forgiveness
• Authority
• *This comes from spiritual and secular world

Answer 10

List some of the topics found in Melibee’s tale.

Question 11

Who are the possible speakers in Melibee’s tale?

Answer 11

• Melibee
• Prudence
• Sophie
• *Her disappearance signals the disappearance of wisdom.
• Advisors

Question 12

What is the genre of the Monk’s tale?

Answer 12

• Exemplum Collection

Question 13

• Wheel of fortune
• Boccaccio’s “Decasibus Variorum Illustration”
• *Tales of the fortune of famous men
• *Reminds them of their mortality
• *Reminds them that their fortune can turn
• “Mirror or Princes”

Answer 13

List some of the topics found in the Monk’s tale.

Question 14

Who are the possible speakers in the Monk’s tale?

Answer 14

• Monk

Question 15

What is the genre of the Nun’s Priest’s tale?

Answer 15

• Fable

Question 16

• Dreams
• Male Authority
• Pride
• Moralizing
• Wheat/chaff metaphor
• *Trying to get the truth from the fable
• Lack of other male characters
• Cicero’s definition of “fable”: Not like the truth, nor resembling the truth
• Peasant’s revolt

Answer 16

List some of the topics found in the Nun’s Priest’s tale.

Question 17

Who are the possible speakers in the Nun’s Priest’s tale?

Answer 17

• Rooster
• Hen
• Fox

Question 18

What is the genre of the Second Nun’s tale?

Answer 18

• Hagiography

Question 19

• Martyrdom
• Miracles/the Impossible
• *Sim. to Prioress’ Tale
• Cult of Saints
• *Group of saints that serve as intercessors
• Cartesian dualism
• *We’re never sure of what’s real
• Inversions

Answer 19

List some of the topics found in the Second Nun’s tale.

Question 20

Who are the possible speakers in the Second Nun’s tale?

Answer 20

• St. Cecilia
• Valerian
• Almachias

Question 21

• Alchemy
• Fires/sweating
• *Contrast with Second Nun’s Tale
• *They sweat, but St. Cecilia did not
• *Also note that in the prologue, the horses ride up half-dead, and sweating
• Good works to gain salvation

Answer 21

List some of the topics found in the Canon Yeoman’s tale.

Question 22

Who are the possible speakers in the Canon Yeoman’s tale?

Answer 22

• Yeoman

Question 23

What is the genre of the Manciple’s tale?

Answer 23

• Myth of Origin

* *Why the crow has black feathers

Question 24

• Works this is inspired by:
• *Ovid’s “Metamorphosis”
• *“Confesio Amantis”
• *“Le Livre du Vior Dit”
• Viciousness of women
• Language

Answer 24

List some of the topics found in the Manciple’s tale.

Question 25

Who are the possible speakers in the Manciple's tale?

Answer 25

* Narrator: Manciple * Crow * Phoebus

Question 26

What is the genre of the Parson's tale?

Answer 26

* Penitential Manual

Question 27

* Parts of penance: 1) Contrition 2) Confession 3) Satisfaction * Seven deadly sins: 1) Pride 2) Envy 3) Wrath 4) Lust 5) Greed 6) Sloth 7) Gluttony * Fourth Lateran Council * *Required confession yearly, and private confession * Laity

Answer 27

List some of the topics found in the Parson's tale.

Question 28

Who are the possible speakers in the Parson's tale?

Answer 28

* Parson

Question 29

What is Aristotle's definition of "narrative?"

Answer 29

* Beginning, middle, and end

Question 30

What is Cicero's definition of "fable?"

Answer 30

* Not equal to, nor almost equal to the truth

Question 31

Who is Professor Wear's favorite saint?

Answer 31

* Saint Sebastian * *Patron saint of archery * *Was killed by arrows