The Canterbury TalesHonors English IV

In-class Essay Equivalent

Introduction

• In “The Prologue,” Chaucer introduces his audience to nine-and-twenty pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral. This week, we have read about two pilgrims and have studied their tales. We didn’t have to read the tales, however, to guess what the stories would be about.

• Chaucer’s description of the Wife of Bath gives us all the information we need to form an opinion about the her and to clue us in to what her tale will be about.

• She’s been married 5 times, is full of charm, loves to advise people on love…

• And her tale is about perfect marriages and how a husband should treat his wife (or, rather, how a wife should hold dominion over her husband).

The Assignment

• Choose one of the pilgrims from “The Prologue” (not the Pardoner or the Wife of Bath)

• Gather information about this pilgrim from “The Prologue,” such as age, physical description, mannerisms, behaviors, etc.

• Determine Chaucer’s opinion of this pilgrim.• As Chaucer, write the tale that this pilgrim tells.

Compositional Strategy

• Identify the subject (problem area)• Determine the lesson to be learned.• Determine the plot and characters.

• Base your tale/characters on familiar archetypes…Chaucer did the same thing!

Format

• Six ten-line stanzas (total of 60 lines)• RHYME: couplets (AA BB CC DD EE FF etc.)• METER: Ten(ish) syllable lines• USE ENJAMBMENT!

• Hand-written, clearly readable, left-aligned• Correct punctuation, verb tense, & spelling