Class today: April 10th The Knight's Tale Discussion

1. In the pile of bloody bodies, we are given a description of two knights lying side-by-side, wearing the same armor. They were cousins, because their mothers were sisters. They were lying there in between the states of life and death. Did this description desensitize or romanticize death? Is the fact that they are knights symbolic of the ambiguous middle ground in the chivalric code, in knighthood, in war? There seems to be a discrepancy that is hard to describe. There is a parallel between the relationship of God (faith or religious doctrine or the basis of Knighthood morality) and war and life and death. Does this scene represent the fog of war or the truth of war? Is this the dark side of war told in a romanticized lightness? Yes, these are over specified poles and incomplete binary understandings. However, what does this symbolize to you?

2. There is a pervasive theme of organized and civilized structure throughout this tale. The garden, in which Emelye spends her time picking flowers, is a man-made and man-kept garden. Is this natural? The fact that the Knight went first and he is a member of the first estate implicitly draws into question if the social hierarchy should be endorsed or critiqued. During this time frame, the Great Chain of Being philosophy was widely believed. The civilized tournament in a man-made amphitheater is more acceptable to the characters in the tale versus the "barbaric" fighting in the woods (a natural environment). What does this tell you about society and organization? Do you feel that these details are significant? What other details suggest or lead you to analyze structure and order in The Canterbury Tales?

3. What makes a prison? Are physical confinements what make a prison or is it a mental state that captivates one and ensures imprisonment? Richard Lovelace once wrote, "Stone walls do not a Prison make / Nor iron bars a cage / Minds innocent and quiet take / That for hermitage / If I have freedom in my love / And my soul am free / Angels alone that soar above / Enjoy such liberty" (1642). Between Palamon and Arcite, which situation do you believe was worse? Why? Which situation was more imprisoning?

4. Why do you believe that the Knight was selected to tell the first tale? Referencing the question I asked you to keep in mind in the beginning of this anthology, why do you think Chaucer makes this decision? Is Chaucer critiquing or endorsing/supporting the societal structure of the time?


5. Lastly, what is your take on the ending of the story? How do you feel about the Prime Mover's speech? Do you think this was a good ending? Palamon and Emelye live happily ever after. Do you feel that the ending was just right? Or perhaps a little rushed as if there was nothing more to say? If you had to come up with the moral of this tale, what would it be? What pervasive themes are present (love and war | art and chaos | etc.)? 

For Friday, April 10th

1. Read the essay on The Knight's Tale..  take good notes! It is found under Canterbury Tales links.

Due: Wednesday/Thursday April 8th/9th

1. You need to have Chaucer's The Knight's Tale read for class on Wed/Thursday. You will have a quiz.
2. Remember.. Starbucks Day after our quiz. We will start our discussion of the KT over coffee..

Here is a link to the article I referenced about taking handwritten notes versus typed notes.
Note taking Tweet

Class today: March 30th

1. You will be finishing your work on the individual pilgrims today.  Make sure you have addressed each pilgrim in the GP.
2. When you are done, you will need to open the "Placement of Pilgrims" document that I have shared with you... MAKE A COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT. This can be done under "file". This will ensure that you do not write on this original that I have shared with everyone.
3. Once you have completed this, you will need to place your document, with your name as part of the title, in the folder I have also shared with you.

Cool?

Class Today: March 25th

1. You need to read through the following link on the Middle Ages' Three Estates: Three Estates
Take effective notes.
2. You will gather in groups of three and work through the General Prologue together. You will go through each of the pilgrims and examine and answer the following questions:

          1. How is the pilgrim physically described? Major physical traits/Distinguishing features?
          2. What vices or negative traits are presented?
          3. What positive traits or virtues are presented?
          4. What do you think Chaucer the PILGRIM is saying with the depiction of the pilgrim?
          5. What do you think Chaucer the AUTHOR is saying with the depiction of the pilgrim?

Homework:
Rank the pilgrims from "Best" to "Worst"...
After you have done this, jot down the qualifications for making this ranking and why.

For Tuesday, March 24th

Read the introduction of The Canterbury Tales up to Chaucerian English. Take good notes. Then start reading the General Prologue. 

Archetypal Analysis Paper

Archetypal Hero Paper
Due Dates:
Thursday, March 5th: Full outline
Monday, March 9th: Handwritten draft
Tuesday, March 10th: Typed draft for editing
Thursday, March 12th: Paper due to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM