Prioress Tale
Is the Prioress’ Tale
anti-semitic? Does Chaucer appear to approve or condemn it? What type of
religiosity is expressed in the tale? (Concept of faith). Does the description
of her seem to match her tale? What is the relation between teller and tale?
Pardoner’s Tale
How does the Pardoner
characterize himself in the Prologue of the Tale? What text does he always
preach on? Do you see irony in this? What is the relation of teller and tale?
Wife of
Prologue
Why does she open her
“Prologue by claiming that experience is a better guide to truth than
authority? Do you think this helps
in her argument on marriage and in her general defense? Are her arguments
problematic? Does the Wife completely reject antifeminist attitudes toward
women, or does she provide proof that these “old books” are correct in what
they assume about women? Do you believe that she is an object of satire in her
“Prologue” or an instrument of satire---or somehow both at the same time?
Tale
What is the relationship
between teller and tale? Is it an appropriate tale for her to tell?