The Canterbury Tales: The Pardoner’s Tale Active Reading Guide pages 123 – 133
Page 124
Reread lines 14-15 for an example of the “antics” to which the Pardoner refers in line 17. Describe what he is doing.
Note for Clarification: Chaucer’s characterization of the Pardoner as a villain out for personal gain is a satire of the
religious state of affairs in his era. Before the Reformation in the sixteenth century, religious abuses were fairly
common.
Page 125
What vice does the Pardoner admit to having, even though he preaches against it?_______________________________
Page 126
Note for Clarification: An exemplum is a brief anecdote that teaches a lesson.
Which details in the opening sentence enable the audience to form a quick opinion of the main characters?
What earlier line explains the reference to the “adversary” in line 102? ______ What is the adversary? ______________
Note for Clarification: Allegorical dramas of the late Middle Ages were known as morality play. They always included
abstract personifications, such as Charity, Mercy, Truth, pity, Church, rather than figures from history or individuals.
Page 127
What details of the publican’s comments build the danger of the situation?
What lines explain the ‘bargain” the rioters are said to have made in line 122?__________
What do the three rioters swear to do?
Page 128
Who is “she” in line 159? ______________________ What earlier lines give you the answer? ______________________
What archetypal role does the old man play?
Page 129
Into what new sin does greed lead the rioters?____________________________________________________________
What does the old man say the rioters will find under the tree? __________Instead, what do they find?______________
Page 130
What does the first rioter mean by “as in game”?
Which earlier lines explain this meaning?__________ What new sin does greed least the youngest rioter to
contemplate?
Page 132
In addition to avarice, or greed, against what sins does the exemplum preach in the final lines?
As a moral to the story, what is the true cause of death to mankind? Explain the author’s reasoning.
The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath’s Tale Active Reading Guide pages 137 – 155
Page 138
Describe the time period in which the Wife sets her tale.
How does the Wife’s attitude toward friars compare with the portrayals of characters in the Prologue such as the Friar,
the Monk, the Prioress, and the Pardoner?
What act of violence did the knight commit? ___________________________
Page 141
Summarize lines 50 -58.
What are some answers the knight gets from those he asks his question?
Compare and contrast knights as they are portrayed in fairy tales and previous readings with the impression you have of
the knight in the Wife’s tale.
What punishment does the queen demand of the knight?
Page 142
What is the purpose of retelling the story of King Midas?
Note for Clarification: The tale of King Midas originated in Greek mythology. King Midas sprouted the ears of an ass
because he had offended the god Apollo. Only King Midas’ wife knew the truth about his ears as he tried to hide them
from the community. The wife whispers the secret into a hole where reeds will soon grow. Wind blowing through the
reeds releases the barber’s secret so everyone can hear it.
Page 143
What is happening in lines 130 – 135?
Where did the knight discover the old woman who would answer his question? _________________________________
Page 145
According to the knight, what do women most want?
Page 147
Summarize lines 226 – 231.
In addition to becoming the knight’s wife, what more does the old woman demand?_____________________________
Page 148
How does the Wife describe the meaning of gentility, or moral behavior in lines 241 – 270?
Page 149
For what four reasons does the knight find the old woman objectionable?
Page 150
What opinions about noble birth are expressed by the old woman in lines 296 – 304?
Summarize the old woman’s view on poverty as they are expressed in lines 323 – 352.
Page 153
What claim does the old woman make in lines 341 – 344?
Identify two benefits that the old woman says can come with poverty.
Page 154
In what ways does Chaucer’s description of the Wife of Bath, as well as her tale, suggest that she was an unusual woman
for her time?
A Quest of Your Own
Ask the knight’s question of the females in your life and make a list of all the answers. Then, tally the answers and write
a short essay that analyzes the results of your findings. Compare the answers you received from modern women to the
answers the knight received. Did you find any similarities or mostly differences?