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Assignment 1: Character Analysis (The Knight up to the Friar)

For each quote:

a) Translate into Modern English using your own words and

b) Answer the questions that follow.

The Prioress

Context: A prioress (nun) should be humble, help the poor, and focus on spiritual matters. But look at what Chaucer shows us...

Quote 1

She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous 
Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde. 
Of smale houndes hadde she that she fedde 
With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed

Question: What does this tell us about her priorities? What's ironic about a nun who weeps over mice but ignores human suffering?

Quote 2

Of smal coral aboute hire arm she bar 
A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene, 
And theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene, 
On which ther was first write a crowned A, 
And after Amor vincit omnia.

Question: Should a nun wear expensive jewelry? Why or why not? What does "Love conquers all" mean in a religious vs. secular context? What does the "crowned A" suggest about her focus?

The Monk

Context: Monks took vows of poverty, obedience, and staying in the monastery. They should follow ancient rules like those of Saint Benedict.

The reule of Seint Maure or of Seint Beneit, 
By cause that it was old and somdel streit, 
This ilke Monk leet olde thynges pace, 
And heeld after the newe world the space.

Question: What should a monk's attitude be toward ancient religious rules? What does the phrase "newe world" suggest about his priorities? How does this connect to medieval concerns about Church corruption? Why might Chaucer emphasize that the monk finds old rules too "strict"?

The Friar

Context: Friars took vows of poverty and were supposed to help the poor through charity. They should hear confessions and give spiritual guidance, not seek profit.

Quote 1

Ful swetely herde he confessioun, 
And plesaunt was his absolucioun. 
He was an esy man to yeve penaunce, 
Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce.

Question: What's wrong with giving "easy penance" when you expect a good payment? How does this corrupt the sacrament of confession?

Quote 2

In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan 
So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage. 
He hadde maad ful many a mariage 
Of yonge wommen, at his owne cost.

Question: Why would a friar need to arrange marriages "at his own cost"? What does this suggest about his relationships with young women? What does "daliaunce and fair langage" imply about how he talks to people?

The Knight

Context: One of the few pilgrims described without obvious irony by Chaucer, representing the medieval Christian ideal of a holy warrior.

A Knight ther was, and that a worthy man, 
That fro the tyme that he first bigan 
To ryden out, he loved chivalrye, 
Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisye.

Questions:

How does the Knight serve as Chaucer's ideal at this point (i.e. the standard against which other pilgrims are measured)? Even though he kills people in holy wars, why is he presented as the ideal Christian soldier? What specific evidence in the text supports his status as genuinely virtuous?

Synthesis Question

Choose the Prioress, Monk, or Friar and write a paragraph explaining how Chaucer uses contrast and irony to reveal their character. Consider:

  • What they should be vs. what they actually are
  • What their religious role demands vs. how they behave
  • Surface appearance vs. underlying reality
  • How their specific failings reflect broader criticism of the medieval Church