Ms. HamdenNAME:
The Canterbury TalesThe Nun’s Priests Tale
Group 1:p.385-9What animals does Chaucer catalog as belonging to the poor widow? Describe her. The description of Chauntecleer mimics the description of what figure in courtly literature? Describe him. What is the name of the fairest hen in the henyard? What power do birds and beasts have in the old days, according to the Nun's Priest? What nightmare does Chauntecleer have that makes him groan and cluck in his sleep? What is the beast that Chauntecleer sees in his sleep? (Hint: Examine the description to figure it out.)
Group 2:p389-6What is Pertalote's reaction to seeing her handsome knight,Chauntecleer, terrified of a dream?Pertalote explains her theory of dreams. What do they mean and from where do they come, according to her? How does Chauntecleersay he will prove the opposite point to his wife? InChauntecleer'sexamples and stories, how do dreams play a part?
Group 3:p.396-400What types of historical/literary authorities does Chanticleer allude to in defending his claim that dreams are prophetic?Who wins the argument? After arguing with his wife, Chauntecleer quotes the Latin proverb, "In principio, Mulieresthominisconfusio." ("In the beginning, woman was the destruction [or confusion] of mankind." What does he tell her the Latin means? Why do you suppose he has altered the translation? What is the Nun’s Priest’s assessment of women?
Group 4:p.401-9When Chauntecleer first spies the fox, what does he do? How does the fox Russel get Chauntecleer to stretch out his neck and close his eyes? The fate of Chauntecleer and the accompanying lamentation is compared to the Iliad, the Aeneid, Hannibal's attack on Rome, and so on. What is the intended effect of applying these comparisons to the possible death of a chicken? How does the story mock the style of the epic/epic hero?
Group 5:p.409-13How does Chauntecleer trick the fox into opening his mouth so Chauntecleer can escape?How does the fox attempt to lure Chauntecleer down again? What is Chauntecleer's response? What morals does Chauntecleer offer? The fox, however, sees a different moral to the story. Review the morals to this tale—including the Nun’s Priest’s—how many are there? List them. Which do you agree with?