The Canterbury Tales: Prologue Project v.2.0
Part I: 50 Points
Part II: 50 Points
Part III: 50 Points /

Part 1 - Prologue Project

In your notes, write out all of the Roman Numeral Categories for each character in the Prologue, except the Narrator Chaucer. This part of the project is designed for you to practice taking notes as you read and then create a reference sheet to study for the test. Part I will also give you a head start on studying for the test.

I / Physical Characteristics: Appearance, Clothes, Ornaments, Body Style, etc.
II / Mental Characteristics: Code of Ethics, Belief System
III / Property Owned: Ornaments, Sword, Shield, House, etc.
IV / Relationship to other Pilgrims: Friends, Lovers, Family, etc.
V / Estate: Clergy, Knight, Manor, Merchant
VI / Chaucer’s Opinion: What does Chaucer (the author) think about the character? It is a satire, so look for his use of sarcasm when explaining their images.
VII / Your Opinion: Do you agree with Chaucer, or is he being too hard on them?
VIII / Are they an ideal in their Estate?

Part 2 – Prologue Project – The Estates

During the second part of the Prologue Project, you will be randomly assigned a character. Then as a representative of your character, you will join in your estate and figure out your hierarchy (who is the most important, second important, etc.). As a group answer the following questions in your notes:

A / What is the usefulness of this situation (pilgrimage) for Chaucer the author?
B / From what walks of life do your estate pilgrims come?
C / Who are ideal in your estate?
D / Which portraits are satirical in your estate?
E / Do you have any merchants or intellectuals in your estate? (of course the Merchant class will have these.) List them.
F / How do the descriptions reveal the pilgrims’ characteristics?

After you answer these questions as a group, pick 1-2 quotes from your character’s prologue that sum up the “character” of your Pilgrim. 1-2 lines of Prologue constitute a quote – no more than 2 lines.

Part 3 – Prologue Project – Presentation

Type up all of your notes on your pilgrim and your estate, in the organizational style prescribed up above with the Roman Numerals and Letters and you will present your Pilgrim to the class; after which you will turn in your typed notes for a grade out of 150 points. Make your notes legible and understandable so you can receive full credit.

FINALLY type up your answers to these questions after your quotes:

a.  How does this Prologue reflect the sign of the Medieval Times?

b.  Explain how this Prologue is an important satirical piece of literature all unto itself.

At the end of the project, you should have a quick reference sheet for each pilgrim to study for the test,

answered some significant questions about satire, given a presentation, and given a thorough

explanation about the themes of the Medieval Time period.

Pilgrims in Order of Appearance

Knight 43-80 / Merchant 280-294 / Weaver / Plowman 539-560
Squire 81-102 / Clerk of Oxford 295-318 / Carpet Maker 371-388 / Miller 561-584
Yeoman 103-121 / Sergeant of Law 319-340 / Cook 389-397 / Manciple 585-604
Prioress 122-166 / Franklin 341-370 / Skipper 398-420 / Reeve 605-640
Nun and 3 Priests 167-168 / Haberdasher / Doctor 421-454 / Summoner 641-688
Monk 169-211 / Dyer / Wife of Bath 455-486 / Pardoner 689-734
Friar 212-279 / Carpenter / Parson 487-538 / Host - Inn Keeper 767-804

Chaucer 1-42, 745-766