- Respond to one of the following:
- Geoffrey Chaucer brings a wide variety of characters together on a trip to Canterbury, most of whom would not have actually associated with each other in real life. Rather, each character is chosen to represent a broad spectrum of life in fourteenth century England. What is the effect of having all of these people travel together? What do you think Chaucer was trying to accomplish with his tales, and how does the blend of people help achieve these goals? You may also want to discuss why he chooses a pilgrimage to bring these people together.
- The reading about Medieval Estates and Orders describes three social estates in Chaucer's England: clergy, nobility, and laborers. Choose one of the three and list the characters from the General Prologue who could belong to this estate. As a group, what do these characters have in common? How do they differ from each other? Does any one character seem to differ substantially from the others? Who, and why?
- The Wife of Bath attempts to speak for women, in both her prologue and tale. What do you think of what she has to say? How well does she assert herself, in a time when women had little access to education, financial independence, or political rights?
- Visionary and contemplative writings were common during the Middle Ages, and writers often blended autobiography with religious experiences. What was particularly striking to you about the writings of either Julian of Norwich or Margery Kempe? Explain, using specific examples.
- Choose 2 of the following promts:
Microsoft Word - Writing Assignment Instructions Summer 2016.docx
- The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale by Chaucer: The Wife of Bath has frequently been called the "root of all evil"; she has also been extolled as a feminist, a wise woman, a precursor to the modern businesswoman, and many more things. How do you view the Wife of Bath? Support your analysis of her character with textual evidence.
- The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale by Chaucer: Some manuscripts indicate that the knight in the Wife of Bath's Tale is Sir Gawain. How does her depiction of the knight go along with and/or contradict your ideas about him, based on the other Arthurian tales you've read? What lesson does the knight learn in this tale, and what is the Wife of Bath's overall message?
- A Book of Showings to the Anchoress Julian of Norwich by Julian of Norwich: Julian, while presenting many traditional images of God, also has some startling ways of experiencing or describing God. Choose one or two non-traditional images and explain how they might deepen readers' understanding of God, Christ, the Trinity, or Christian teaching.
- The Book of Margery Kempe by Margery Kempe: Margery Kempe has often been compared negatively to Julian of Norwich (particularly by early twentieth-century male clerical critics); but lately, she has held her own with regard to her spirituality. In what ways is Kempe's spirituality inspiring or admirable? In what ways could she still be subject to criticism? What are your overall views on Kempe's writings?