Essential Question #6
What parallels can be drawn between the Pardoner's Prologue and his tale? How is this tale different from the other two that we have studied? Think in regards to the Pardoner's voice and how Chaucer's style changes.
"The Knight's Tale" Wrap-Up
A few things to consider as we move forward:
1. Poor Emily. All she wants out of life is to be chaste, pure, and free from boy drama. However, even the goddess of chastity (Diana) herself denies her that privilege! Yet Arcite and Palamon lie, cheat, and disobey the king, and they are rewarded with honor and love. Why does the Knight (or Chaucer) tell a tale of such imbalance? Is this tale used to further oppress women of royalty? Let's not forget that Hippolyta, the queen herself, was won as a prize in war!
2. We see consistent connections between Emily and the month of May. Think of springtime as a symbol of fertility (as we touched on in class). What connection can be made between May and Emily's virginity? She is preserving flowers and she wishes to preserve her virginity...coincidence?
3. Judging by the tale he chooses to tell, what is important to the Knight? What does he value? What is he trying to teach the rest of the pilgrims? If you were judging the stories for the contest, what score would you give him?
4. Is all fair in love and war? I will keep asking you that until the day you graduate.
1. Poor Emily. All she wants out of life is to be chaste, pure, and free from boy drama. However, even the goddess of chastity (Diana) herself denies her that privilege! Yet Arcite and Palamon lie, cheat, and disobey the king, and they are rewarded with honor and love. Why does the Knight (or Chaucer) tell a tale of such imbalance? Is this tale used to further oppress women of royalty? Let's not forget that Hippolyta, the queen herself, was won as a prize in war!
2. We see consistent connections between Emily and the month of May. Think of springtime as a symbol of fertility (as we touched on in class). What connection can be made between May and Emily's virginity? She is preserving flowers and she wishes to preserve her virginity...coincidence?
3. Judging by the tale he chooses to tell, what is important to the Knight? What does he value? What is he trying to teach the rest of the pilgrims? If you were judging the stories for the contest, what score would you give him?
4. Is all fair in love and war? I will keep asking you that until the day you graduate.
The Construction of a Society
Oprah is also a nurturer and educator who breaths new life into people who thought themselves hopeless and educates our society about the problems it faces.--Andrew Goncalves
The only real flaw could potentially be the villain, Marc Leger. Villains serve as tests for a society. If society can face a villain and come out successful, then that speaks for the success of that society. --Andrew Goncalves
The ideal society is impossible to come by. Today’s society is unbalanced and imperfect. To have the perfect society there has to be a balance of good and evil.--Andy Medina
His (Jackie Chan's) agility, speed, and martial arts knowledge has made him globally renowned fighter hence he would serve as an enforcer in the society instilling peace and order.--Billy Lai
(Dave) Chappelle allows his jokes to critique society in what it is doing incorrectly. Chappelle offers entertainment, but also direction for society to take. He can also play the role of a procreator.--Daryl Thomas
Megan Fox is the only female and her only role is to be a procreator, so the could be viewed as an injustice. But Mr. Player can always teach her so that she plays more of a dominant role.--Dave Oreste
Angelina is the procreator. She has been adopting children for years now and has been taking very good care of them.--Dora Ocampo
Obama instills hope and comfort , which is what a successful society requires.--Macda Gerard
Madea chose Lil' Wayne as her aide, but also as the law. His intimidating demeanor causes people to stay in their place and follow the law.--Tabisha Fleurinord
The key to my society is having members that can fulfill multiple roles...everyone is hard-working, reliable, and devoted to making the world a better place.--Genevieve Noonan
There would be no religious leaders, educators, or workers. However, religion could develop over time and people would have the freedom to choose their own religions.--Hannah McCaffrey
The only real flaw could potentially be the villain, Marc Leger. Villains serve as tests for a society. If society can face a villain and come out successful, then that speaks for the success of that society. --Andrew Goncalves
The ideal society is impossible to come by. Today’s society is unbalanced and imperfect. To have the perfect society there has to be a balance of good and evil.--Andy Medina
His (Jackie Chan's) agility, speed, and martial arts knowledge has made him globally renowned fighter hence he would serve as an enforcer in the society instilling peace and order.--Billy Lai
(Dave) Chappelle allows his jokes to critique society in what it is doing incorrectly. Chappelle offers entertainment, but also direction for society to take. He can also play the role of a procreator.--Daryl Thomas
Megan Fox is the only female and her only role is to be a procreator, so the could be viewed as an injustice. But Mr. Player can always teach her so that she plays more of a dominant role.--Dave Oreste
Angelina is the procreator. She has been adopting children for years now and has been taking very good care of them.--Dora Ocampo
Obama instills hope and comfort , which is what a successful society requires.--Macda Gerard
Madea chose Lil' Wayne as her aide, but also as the law. His intimidating demeanor causes people to stay in their place and follow the law.--Tabisha Fleurinord
The key to my society is having members that can fulfill multiple roles...everyone is hard-working, reliable, and devoted to making the world a better place.--Genevieve Noonan
There would be no religious leaders, educators, or workers. However, religion could develop over time and people would have the freedom to choose their own religions.--Hannah McCaffrey
The Knight's Tale/Billy's "Hot Seat"
1. What roles do each of the characters fulfill? Where do Mars and Venus fit in to the relationship between Arcite, Palamon and Emily?
2. Pg. 39: Arcite or Palamon, which had the most to suffer?
The one can see his lady day by day,
But he must dwell in prison, locked away.
The other's free , the world lies all before,
But never shall he see his lady more.
3. Think about the relationship between Arcite and Palamon. Is it realistic to betray their bond of brotherhood to pursue their love for Emily? What should they do to obey the chivalric code?
4. Pg. 34: "Whoever bound a lover by law? Love is law unto itself." Does this sound familiar? All is fair in love and war? Do you agree? Don't be cynical! Actually think about being that head-over-heels, crazy, lovesick.
5. Who saw Emily first? Does this mean anything? Does any one person have more of a claim over her?
6. What problems do you foresee for Arcite and Palamon? Think about Emily's relation to the king...
2. Pg. 39: Arcite or Palamon, which had the most to suffer?
The one can see his lady day by day,
But he must dwell in prison, locked away.
The other's free , the world lies all before,
But never shall he see his lady more.
3. Think about the relationship between Arcite and Palamon. Is it realistic to betray their bond of brotherhood to pursue their love for Emily? What should they do to obey the chivalric code?
4. Pg. 34: "Whoever bound a lover by law? Love is law unto itself." Does this sound familiar? All is fair in love and war? Do you agree? Don't be cynical! Actually think about being that head-over-heels, crazy, lovesick.
5. Who saw Emily first? Does this mean anything? Does any one person have more of a claim over her?
6. What problems do you foresee for Arcite and Palamon? Think about Emily's relation to the king...
Essential Question #5
In a detailed analysis, discuss the dynamics of your fictional society. Explain why you chose each of your members, the structure of your society, why your society would strive, and any flaws that you see. Be honest! You will not be criticized if your structure isn't as strong as you thought.
Essay #1 Highlights
Guenevere...portrays an acquiescent demeanor, as she remains silent. --Macda Gerard
Mary, the mother of Jesus, can be portrayed as a motherly figure for Gawain. --Olga Lithoxopoulos
Meanwhile, Guenevere, queen of Camelot, was unable to escape the same fate of being depicted as a mindless Barbie doll. Women are, after all, puppets of men. --Lu Li
He uses Sir Gawain as an example of their mistakes and how Anglo Saxons have failed to live out Christian morality in their lives as they have with chivalry. --Billy Lai
However, she (the wife) is a double agent, as she satisfies her role as a woman and also serves as a test for Gawain's knighthood. --Andrew Goncalves
Not only did Beowulf immediately gain their trust, but he also exceeded their expectations. --Genevieve Noonan
Though women were disenfranchised in this age, the ones who took the initiative to break gender barriers brought to light a major flaw in all men:pride.--Daryl Thomas
Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight allow readers to catch a glimpse into the progression of women's roles in history. --Hannah McCaffrey
In this way she (Wealtheow) is actively increasing the authority of her husband by assuming the lessened role of queen. --Michael Fullerton
Morgan Le Faye's test of Sir Gawain was a difficult one for him to pass because he was not used to a woman being the reason for his failure.--Ciara Lynch
Mary, the mother of Jesus, can be portrayed as a motherly figure for Gawain. --Olga Lithoxopoulos
Meanwhile, Guenevere, queen of Camelot, was unable to escape the same fate of being depicted as a mindless Barbie doll. Women are, after all, puppets of men. --Lu Li
He uses Sir Gawain as an example of their mistakes and how Anglo Saxons have failed to live out Christian morality in their lives as they have with chivalry. --Billy Lai
However, she (the wife) is a double agent, as she satisfies her role as a woman and also serves as a test for Gawain's knighthood. --Andrew Goncalves
Not only did Beowulf immediately gain their trust, but he also exceeded their expectations. --Genevieve Noonan
Though women were disenfranchised in this age, the ones who took the initiative to break gender barriers brought to light a major flaw in all men:pride.--Daryl Thomas
Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight allow readers to catch a glimpse into the progression of women's roles in history. --Hannah McCaffrey
In this way she (Wealtheow) is actively increasing the authority of her husband by assuming the lessened role of queen. --Michael Fullerton
Morgan Le Faye's test of Sir Gawain was a difficult one for him to pass because he was not used to a woman being the reason for his failure.--Ciara Lynch