Canterbury talesThe Prologue

Geoffrey Chaucer

The Monk

Richard Turner & Daniel Graham

VocabularyA monk there was one of the finest sort (pg. 101 line 169)-A religious male who is a member of a brotherhood living in a monastery and devoted

to a discipline prescribed by his order

A manly man, to be an abbot able; (pg.101 line 171)-The superior of an abbey of monks

His bridle, when he rode, a man might hear (pg.101 line 173)

- A harness

And that a monk uncloistered is a mere/ Fish out of water, (pg.102 line 183-184)

-secluded from the world; sheltered

That is to say a monk out of his cloister (pg.102 line 185)-a monastic establishment

He was a prelate fit for exhibition. (pg.102 line 208)-A high-ranking member of the clergy

His palfrey was as brown as is a berry (pg.102 line 211)- A winning horse

Brief Background of Vocation (job)

-Men that put all their effort into doing for God and getting to know him.

-They pray and dedicate their life to God.-They don’t Marry or have children.-They live together in a monastery.-They always make sure that there is praise to

God.-They pray for us, and ask god to grant salvation

to every Orthodox Christian-Finally they teach the True Faith, Holy Tradition,

and an Orthodox lifestyle to all of us, both formally (in sermons, lectures, or writings) and informally, by their example.

Direct characterizationWho rode the country; hunting was his sport (pg.101 line

170)-He is a hunter.A manly man, to be an abbot able; (pg.101 line 171)-He is very “manly”Many a dainty horse he had in stable (pg.101 line 172)-He has a horseI saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand/ with fine gray fur,

the finest in the land. (pg.102 line 197-198)-He wore very elaborate clothes.His head was bald and shone like looking-glass; (pg.102 line 202)- Has a shiny bald headHe was a fat and personable priest; (pg.102 line 204)-He is chunky and conceitedHis Palfrey was as brown as is a berry. (pg.102 line 211)- His horse is as brown as a nice berry.

In literature and drama, the method of character development in which the author simply tells what the character is like .

Indirect characterizationWhere my lord monk was prior of the cell./ The rule

of good St. Benet or St. Maur/ As old and strict he tended to ignore; (pg.101 line 176-178)

-He Left the monastery and was rebelliousHe let go by the things of yesterday/and took the

modern world’s more spacious way.(pg.102 line 179-180)

-He was a more modern monk, was married and had kids.This monk was therefore a good man to horse;/

Greyhounds he had, swift as birds, to course. (pg.102 line 193-194)

-He did not pray a lot and he had time to horse ride.I saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand/with

fine gray fur, the finest in the land. (pg.102 line 197-198)

- He easily coned people out of money

Guessing things about a character through speech, actions, dress, thoughts, and interactions with other characters.

Chaucer’s Social Commentary

Usually Monks are Religious men who live together in a Monastery and basically live for god but Chaucer describes the monk in Canterbury Tales to be a Non religious rebellious person who spends most of his time either riding horses coning money or spending time enjoying the modern day life.

The expression of one's point of view or feelings towards society, usually through literature

Satiresarcasm: witty language used to convey insults or scorn

Summary

He was a monk, very superior, very well nourished and his favorite thing to do was horse ride. He rebelled from the other monks. He did not follow any rules of his job. He loved Money, he bought the finest clothes and the finest greyhounds. He has a lot of time on his hands.

Out of all the 7 deadly sins he portrays Greed.

He was a very fat jolly person who had something very unpleasant about himself.