Nov. 04, 2008: Homework

Seniors!

Homework!  Bring answers to question 1 from Act 1 Scene 5 and question 2 from Act 1 Scene 6 & 7.  You'll still get full credit!  I'm feeling that generous!

Oct. 27, 2008: Renaissance Questions

Seniors

In case you were wondering, here are the two questions from today, due tomorrow:

1) What was the Reformation?  What role did Henry VIII have to play in this revolution of revolutions?

2) How did Elizabeth's rise to power and the defeat of the Spanish armada affect the social and cultural atmosphere of the Renaissance?

See you tomorrow!

Oct. 4, 2008: Canterbury Tales Notes

To understand Chaucer's knight and squire, we must understand something about chivalry and courtly love.  Chivalry was a system of ideals and social codes that basically governed the noble portion of the feudal hierarchy; the knight and the squire were expected to live their lives according to chivalry.  Your book tells you that chivalry mandated that "gentlemen" observe particular rules of warfare and devote themselves to a gentlelady.  Courtly love guided this devotion and produced a completely nonsexual/unromantic love (again, think of it more as a devotion than a love).  Knights believed that by devoting themselves to a gentlelady (by wearing her colors into battle, composing songs/writing poetry about her, and generally honoring her) they would become all the more brave, courageous, and chivalrous.  Gentlewomen were an inspiration, something to be adored and honored, always out of reach, and never to be defiled by scandalous sexual pursuits and/or desires.  As you re-study Chaucer's characterization of the knight and the squire, keep this culture in mind.

As for the notes on the General Prologue, I don't intend to do much analysis for you.  I know the language is difficult, so where it could be helpful I simply want to provide a more approachable summary for you to consider.

The Knight

ll. 47-50

Part of chivalry was the expectation to obey the lord/baron of the land and on up to the king. Chaucer indicates that the knight has followed through on this expectation; Chaucer emphasizes that these battles were "his sovereign's war[s]."

ll. 70-71

Even though the knight was honored by all (and he knew it), he was still certain to be humble. His success did not go to his head.

ll. 72-74

Boorish means "rude" or "uncouth."  He seems to be an overall good guy.

The Squire

l. 82

What do you think Chaucer means by "a lad of fire."  Passion?  Was he full of military passion (the desire to fight and win) or another sort of passion?

ll. 86-90

According to Chaucer, why does the squire fight so bravely in battle?

ll. 91-96

What can you conclude about the squire from his clothes and physical appearance?  Contrast his dress to his father's.  How do these two men differ?  What do clothes say about a man?

ll. 99

What does it mean to "love so hotly"?  Is he just passionate about life?  Is he out till the break of day with lady friends and admirers?  Notice, though, the language Chaucer uses to describe the squire: hot and fire.

The Nun

l. 123

Coy means "flirty" or "playful."  Right from the get-go what is Chaucer implying about this nun?  A nun!

l. 124

Read the footnote for St. Loy.  She swears by a saint who was known for his manners.  What does this say about her concerns and priorities?

l. 127

She sang through her nose.  Have you heard a nasal singer?  It sounds horrible now, so it probably sounded just as awful back in the Middle Ages.  Is Chaucer really complimenting her here?  This comment helps to establish his attitude toward the nun.

ll. 131-140

Manners, manners, manners!  Why is she so concerned with manners?

l. 143 (to 145)

You know what "counterfeit" means; if not, look it up.  This line is of particular importance.  A "courtly kind of grace" means a noble or perhaps upper-class air.  Keep in mind she's a nun.  Keep in mind that she doesn't know proper French and studied french at a second-rate school.

ll. 146-154

Chaucer describes her as "all sentiment and tender heart," but like the monk she focuses this tenderness in a surprising direction.  Feeding roasted flesh and fine white bread to animals?  Those food items were expensive.  And where did she get the money to buy those items?

The Monk

ll. 173-75

The bells on the bridle (the headgear) of the monk's horse rang just as loudly as the chapel bell.  Does this mean anything?  Think about it; it's up to you to decide the significance of this statement.

ll. 179-80

I wonder if Chaucer describes the world's way as "spacious" as a reference to the teaching that Christ's way is straight and narrow.  Narrow is certainly the opposite of spacious.  How does this characterize the monk?

l. 210

This monk likes to eat; he's a glutton.  As Robert mentioned in class, members of the religious order took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience to God's law.  Eating well isn't a sin, but the poor don't typically eat whole swans.  I imagine a roast swan was probably tough to come by.

The Friar

l. 215

You know what "glib" means.  That was one of our first vocabulary words.  Look it up.  What does this say about the friar.

ll. 219-224

Read through these lines completely.  Chaucer says that the friar was intimate with both county folk and city dames (women).  Is this a pun, a play on words?  Intimate could simply mean friendly/close or something much more scandalous.

ll. 231-232

Simply put, the larger the gift (most likely monetary), the more sincere the repentance, at least in the friar's book.  He was quicker to forgive when the parishioner was more willing to pay.  Or if the parishioner paid more, the penalty for his/her sins was less.  How evil is this?

ll. 239-254

Take note of where the friar likes to spend his time.  Who are his best acquaintances, and what does he think of those he's supposed to serve?  Again, take note of Chaucer's sarcasm here (particularly ll. 247-252).

ll. 259-279

Notice how willing the friar is to take advantage of the poor.  Look at the footnote for line 265.  How is the friar breaking laws and regulations regarding his authority and actions?  Take note of the friar's dress.  What are the implications?  How should he be dressed?  Look up "lisp" and "pretense."  What does line 274 reveal about this pilgrim?

The Parson

ll. 498-99

You already know the parson is poor, but what does Chaucer say the parson does with his own possessions and money?  How does he compare to the other "employees" of the church?

ll. 501-505

It seems like the parson puts the needs of others before his own desires or wants.  How so?

l. 506

sheep=parishioners=church-goers

l. 510

gold=priest

iron=parishioners

What's Chaucer trying to say about the importance of the example of Church leadership?

ll. 517-523

Why does the parson stay at home with his "flock" and not leave for London?  How could the parson benefit by taking off to London?  What (unlike the friar and the monk) does the parson value most above money?  Also consider l. 535.  Look up "pomp" if you're unsure what it means.

Why is Chaucer so impressed with this pilgrim?  What does Chaucer think about leading by example?  How could leading by example motivate the parson to go to Canterbury on this pilgrimage?

The Wife from Bath

ll. 457-58

The wife has great sewing/cloth-making skills.  This does not mean she's lower class or a merchant even; this is perhaps a hobby.

ll. 459-462

During the Middle Ages, church members approached the alter for communion in order of social class.  The wife wanted to be sure to be first in line, and if any one cut in front of her, she refused to donate to the church that day.  Why would she want to be first in line?  What do her actions reveal about her personality and priorities?

ll. 463-467

Take note of her dress.  Is she well off?  Is she showing it off?  What do you think off when you see the color red?  Why did Chaucer dress the wife in red hose?

ll. 470-71

Besides having five wives, what else does Chaucer tell you about the love life of the wife (in her youth)?  She gets around, you might say, so is she really "worthy" (l. 455)?

ll. 473-477

Here, Chaucer tells you about other pilgrimages the wife has been on.  All that traveling must have been expensive...

ll. 478-483

She has gap teeth.  Gap teeth were associated with sexual promiscuity.  Why would Chaucer specify that she has wide hips?  What do you associate with wide hips?

ll. 484-486

What else can you say about the wife's personality?  Do you know anyone like her? 

You've got to wonder, what happened to her husbands?  How has she survived five husbands?  What are her "remedies for loves mischances" (l. 485)?  Does this sound sinister at all?

  

Sept. 26, 2008: Homework

Seniors
Study for your vocab quiz (over list 3) on Monday. Also, read pp. 74-88 and answer the following questions (to be turned in):
1. What is the feudal system? Discuss in detail the levels within this system.
2. What was the purpose of chivalry and courtly love? What effects did these cultural elements have on the view of women and literature?

Sophomores
Read Shoeless Joe up to page 206. You will have a reading quiz on Monday. Also, complete five entries in your theme worksheet for Monday. This was originally due today, so make sure you have it done on Monday. No excuses this time around.

Sept. 25, 2006: Homework

Seniors
Study for your test. Please call me if you have any questions. Remember, this test is weighted 40%.

Sophomores
Study for your vocab quiz (over lists 3 and 4) for tomorrow. Also, you need to bring your theme worksheets with five entries completed for tomorrow (this will be graded for completion). If you missed class today, you missed a reading quiz over pp. 71-153 in Shoeless Joe. You'll need to make that up.

Sept. 24, 2008: Homework

Seniors
If you missed today, make sure you pick up a vocabulary list 4 worksheet when you get back. We've moved the Anglo-Saxon unit test date to this Friday, so please continue to study.

Sophomores
We wrote an in-class SEXI paragraph today. If you missed class, please be sure to respond to the following prompt in a basic 5-6 sentence SEXI paragraph: Is Ray a hero? This needs to be turned in ASAP if you were absent. Also, be sure to pick up a worksheet on colons and semicolons. Other than that, please continue to study for you super vocab quiz on Friday.

Sept. 23, 2008: Homework

Seniors
You should be busy studying for the test on Thursday (Sept. 25). We will work together tomorrow on filling in any blanks and answering any hanging questions. If you missed today, be sure to pick up a study guide tomorrow. Look below at the previous entry for now.

Sophomores
You have plenty to work on: read to pg. 153 in Shoeless Joe by this Thursday and make five entries in your theme worksheet by this Friday. If you missed today, be sure to collect a theme worksheet and a unit four vocabulary worksheet (remember, that double unit vocabulary quiz is this Friday). If any of you have questions about the themes, guiding questions, and/or expectations for the theme worksheet, please talk to me ASAP.