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
Squire 81-102
Clerk of Oxford 295-318 Carpet Maker 371-388
Yeoman 103-121
Sergeant of Law 319-340 Cook 389-397
Prioress 122-166
Franklin 341-370
Skipper 398-420
Nun and 3 Priests 167-168 Haberdasher
Doctor 421-454
Monk 169-211
Dyer
Wife of Bath 455-486
Friar 212-279
Carpenter
Parson 487-538
Plowman 539-560
Miller 561-584
Manciple 585-604
Reeve 605-640
Summoner 641-688
Pardoner 689-734
Host - Inn Keeper 767-804
Chaucer 1-42, 745-766