EXPLANATION WITH REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT: THE PROLOGUE TO THE CANTERBURY TALES BY CHAUCER

SAMPLE ANSWERS - CLASSICAL POETRY

QUESTION NO. 1

(a) That of hir smylyng .......... cleped Madam Eglentyne.

REFERENCE
(i) Poem: The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales
(ii) Poet: Geoffrey Chaucer
CONTEXT
(i) Occurrence: The Prioress (Lines 119-121/858)
(ii) Content: It is the month of April in circa 1390. A group of twenty-nine pilgrims gathers at a tavern in Southwark called Tabard Inn. The goal of their journey is the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket in Canterbury. The narrator, Chaucer, encounters them there and becomes one of their company. The narrator seeks to describe their 'condition', 'array' and 'degree'. The Host at the Inn proposes the story-telling contest among the pilgrims.
EXPLANATION
     In these lines the poet has described three characteristics of the Prioress; her smile, faith and nick name. The smile of the Prioress is very simple. It is easy to understand, presenting no difficulty. Her smile also makes a pretence of shyness and modesty which intends to be alluring. Thus she is a coquettish woman. Secondly, she has a firm faith in Saint Eloy who was the patron saint of goldsmiths, other metalworkers, and coin collectors. This saint worked for twenty years to convert the pagan population of Flanders to Christianity. Thirdly, she has a romantic name, Madam Eglantine. Eglantine is, in fact, a wild rose native to Eurasia having prickly stem, fragrant leaves, bright pink flowers, and scarlet hips. In Madam Eglantine, Chaucer depicts charm without substance. Thus Chaucer has described the nun in the opposite way to show us, how the nun Prioress had all the characteristics that a nun should not have.

(b) And theron heng .......... Amor Vincit Omnia.

REFERENCE
(i) Poem: The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales
(ii) Poet: Geoffrey Chaucer
CONTEXT
(i) Occurrence: The Prioress (Lines 160-162/858)
(ii) Context:  As Above
EXPLANATION
     In these lines the poet has portrayed the Prioress's gold brooch and its motto. A brooch is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments by a pin or clasp, often to hold them closed. It is worn at or near the neck. The brooch, the Prioress is wearing, is dominated by the letter "A" which stands for Amor i.e. love. Some critics also assume the the brooch is in the shape of the letter "A". However, the most striking quality of the brooch is the Latin inscription on it: "Amor vincit omnia" which means "Love conquers all." This quote is from "Eclogue X" by Virgil. This Virgilian motto is very ambiguous. If it refers to celestial, heavenly love, then the brooch is an acceptable article to be found on the person of a nun. But it represents earthly love between a man and a woman which is absent in nuns. In short, the brooch is a symbol of the Prioress's unchristian character, her connection to laymen and the peasantry, rather than to any religious vocation.

(c) Therefore he was .......... no cost wolde he spare. 

REFERENCE
(i) Poem: The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales
(ii) Poet: Geoffrey Chaucer
CONTEXT
(i) Occurrence: The Monk (Lines 189-192/858)
(ii) Content: As Above
EXPLANATION
     In these lines the poet describes the Monk's favourite pastimes; riding horses and hunting hares. A monk is a member of religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. However, Chaucer's Monk is corrupt. He does not follow the rules of the monastery which say that monks should not hunt. This Monk prefers to go hunting. He has many galloping horses and coursing greyhounds. The greyhounds are as fast as birds in flight. They can run at a speed of 64 kilometers per hour. He uses these greyhounds to track his preys. He usually hunts hares which are very innocent animals. This shows the Monk's cruel nature. To ride the horses and hunt the hares was a source of pleasure for him. He would do it whatever the cost. In short, he is a "monk out of his cloister" who is not "worth an oyster".

(d) Full wel biloved .......... wommen of the toun;

REFERENCE
(i) Poem: The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales
(ii) Poet: Geoffrey Chaucer
CONTEXT
(i) Occurrence: The Friar (Lines 215-217/858)
(ii) Content:  As Above
EXPLANATION
     In these lines the poet describes the Friar's intimacy with the franklins of his country and noblewomen of his town. The main duty of a friar is to live among the poor, to beg on their behalf and to give his earning to aid their struggle for livelihood. However,  Chaucer's Friar is corrupt. He has acquaintance with franklins; the landowners of free but not noble birth. Moreover, he has familiarity with the noblewomen of the town because he has the power of confession. He is highly liked by these opulent people. In short, the Friar likes to hang out with wealthy people instead of living the life that St. Francis, the first friar, prescribes, he would spend time with the poor and sick.

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