"The Prioress's Tale" Reaction

- - -  Explain the satire in The Prioress's Tale.  Who or what is Chaucer satirizing, and how does he accomplish this?  Use evidence from text to support.

- - -  Based on item 1, and thinking back on how the Prioress was introduced during The General Prologue, does the Prioress tell a tale that you would have expected?  Why or why not?

- - -  Express what you learned by reading the tale and explain what that looks like in the world at-large.  The best responses to this item will directly connect what you learned to a current issue.

"The Knight's Tale" Part II Reaction

- - -  Explain two things on this blog:  1.  Exactly how Chaucer uses satire to create a social commentary about knighthood, and what exactly that commentary suggests.  2.  What institution or segment of society is like the knighthood in Canterbury Tales?  In other words, if Chaucer were alive today, instead of knighthood, what would he target with his satire.

"The Knight's Tale, Part I" Reaction

- - -  Explain what role courtly love plays in Part I (You may have to learn something about courtly love to sufficiently answer this item).

- - -  Explain how Chaucer uses elements of satire and allegory in Part I.

"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" Part III Reaction

- - -  Learn something about courtly love and explain how it is played out in Part III.  Also, explain the significance of courtly love in the poem.

- - -  The green sash the host's wife gives Gawain - explain its significance.  Why doesn't Gawain exchange it with the host as originally agreed upon?

Reaction to Part II of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

- - -  Explain the development of Sir Gawain's character in Part II.  What changes occur and how Sir Gawain is developed?

- - -  Explain the role of religion in Part II.

- - -  Sir Gawain is challenged again in Part II - explain the significance of this challenge.

Reaction to Part I of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

- - -  How is the beginning of Gawain different than the beginning of Beowulf?  How is it similar?  Explain.

- - -  Why does Gawain describe himself as the, "weakest," of all of the Knights?

- - -  What is the significance of how the Green Knight is introduced and what he says about those gathered for the feast.

Reaction to "The Lady of Shalott"

- - -  Explain any archetypes you were able to notice.

- - -  Explain how Tennyson treats the concept of love in the poem.