WARM-UP: SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 Name one author/text that represents each

of the following types of English:Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English (Old and New)

Name and explain at least two factors that influenced the development of the English language.

What is the difference between direct and indirect characterization?

GEOFFREY CHAUCER & THE CANTERBURY

TALESIntroduction

WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY-TELLER?

CHAUCER Born around 1342 AD (exact date not

known)London

Got job as page in the royal householdOnly a teenagerFather was middle class wine merchant; had

connections Well-educated Promoted; got to travel

Worked a lot but also wrote a lot C. Tales is his masterpiece

1st major work in EnglishPortrayed people of all social standings

CANTERBURY TALES Frame Narrative

Several small stories in a larger one Used many stories he had heard before

Stories told and retold Focus was on storyteller’s skill

Used everyday people Didn’t just write about heroes or royalty.

Characters from all stations in society: From Feudal System

Knight, Squire, Franklin, Plowman, Miller, Reeve In Religious Life

Nun, Monk, Friar, Cleric, Parson, Summoner, Pardoner In rising middle class

Merchant, Sergeant at the Law, Five Tradesmen, Cook, Skipper

TIME AND PLACE 14th century Pilgrimage to Canterbury

Journey had been made for 200 years. Worship the shrine of St. Thomas Becket. 200 year anniversary of his death.

Pilgrimage for several reasons. Religious devotion, pray for miracles,

adventure, change of scenery. Pilgrims banded together.

Safety (robbers and roads) Chaucer died before completing C. Tales.

Not sure the exact order.

TRAVEL Today a two-hour drive. Then, several days.

KEY TERMS

Rhyme: pattern of rhymes between lines of a poem or song.

Meter: recurring pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in lines of a set length.

Iambic Pentameter: 5 unstressed, 5 stressed

It happened in that season that one day20   In Southwark, at The Tabard, as I lay       Ready to go on pilgrimage and start       For Canterbury, most devout at heart,

CHARACTER ASSIGNMENTS1. The Knight2. The Nun (Prioress)3. The Monk4. The Friar5. The Franklin6. The Doctor (Physician)7. The Wife of Bath8. The Parson9. The Summoner10. The Pardoner