Lesson 14 - Medieval England--"The Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer was clearly a didactic author. You have seen that he was dismayed with many of the activities of the Church from what he said in "The Prologue." Now observe how he continues this idea in "The Pardoner's Tale." "The Nun's Priest's Tale" speaks to the philosophies of Chaucer's day. Can you see the allegory in this tale?

Reading

• Read "The Pardoner's Tale"
• Read "The Nun's Priest's Tale"
• Notice that each tale has a prologue that gives insight into the speaker and the tale.

Remember to continue writing in your reading journal as you think about these tales.

Activity #1

Activity #2

Write a literary analysis paper over "The Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales and send it using the link below.

  Send to teacher

Activity #3

Select three pilgrims from "The Prologue" that most interest you. E-mail your selections to the teacher at fawnbragg@mail.coolschool.k12.or.us . The teacher will match you with another student who shares at least one of your choices. The two of you will create a presentation (APEng 14.3) on one of the pilgrims which you will post for the class at L14A3 discussion.

   Click here to go to discussion L14A3

After you post your paper, read and comment on the pilgrim presentations of at least three other groups. A significant portion of your grade will be based on the thoughtful analysis of these projects.

Assessment:

Student grades on Lesson 14 will essentially be credit for

• reading "The Pardoner's Tale" and "The Nun's Priest's Tale"
• listening to the lecture, "Understanding the Prologue"
• writing a literary analysis paper over "The Prologue"
• selecting pilgrims for a presentation with a partner
• posting your presentation for the rest of the class
• writing comments about at least three other presentations
• adding to your reading journal