The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
- 1. The Canterbury Tales is a seminal collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century, widely regarded as one of the greatest works of English literature. The tales are framed within a storytelling contest among a diverse group of pilgrims traveling from London to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Each character, ranging from a chivalrous knight to a witty miller, represents various facets of medieval society, allowing Chaucer to use their narratives to explore themes of love, morality, class, and the human condition. The work is notable for its use of the English vernacular at a time when most literary works were composed in Latin or French, making it more accessible to a broader audience. Chaucer's keen observation of human nature and masterful use of satire and humor illuminate both the virtues and vices of his characters, providing a vivid portrait of 14th-century England. The Canterbury Tales is not only a remarkable showcase of storytelling but also an intricate commentary on the social and political norms of the time, which has led to its lasting acclaim and continued relevance in literary studies.
Who wrote The Canterbury Tales?
A) John Milton
B) Geoffrey Chaucer
C) Charles Dickens
D) William Shakespeare
- 2. How many tales are there in The Canterbury Tales?
A) 15
B) 10
C) 30
D) 24
- 3. What social class does the Knight belong to?
A) Peasant
B) Clerical
C) Noble
D) Merchant
- 4. Which character is known for her multiple marriages?
A) The Summoner
B) The Prioress
C) The Wife of Bath
D) The Nun
- 5. What genre is The Canterbury Tales primarily considered?
A) Tragedy
B) Lyric
C) Epic
D) Frame narrative
- 6. In what language was The Canterbury Tales originally written?
A) Modern English
B) Latin
C) Old English
D) Middle English
- 7. Who tells the first tale in The Canterbury Tales?
A) The Clerk
B) The Pardoner
C) The Miller
D) The Knight
- 8. What is the setting of The Canterbury Tales?
A) A court in London
B) A war in France
C) A pilgrimage to Canterbury
D) A tavern in York
- 9. The Wife of Bath primarily discusses which topic?
A) Religion
B) War
C) Politics
D) Marriage
- 10. In what century was The Canterbury Tales written?
A) 13th century
B) 15th century
C) 12th century
D) 14th century
- 11. What is the Pardoner's primary profession?
A) Collecting taxes
B) Preaching
C) Farming
D) Selling indulgences
- 12. The Miller's Tale is best described as what type of story?
A) Tragedy
B) Allegory
C) Romance
D) Fabliau
- 13. What is the main flaw of the Summoner?
A) Pride
B) Greed
C) Gluttony
D) Envy
- 14. What is the significance of the prologue in The Canterbury Tales?
A) Introduces the characters
B) Analyzes the themes
C) Summarizes the tales
D) Describes the rules of the contest
- 15. Which tale addresses issues of wealth and greed?
A) The Knight's Tale
B) The Franklin's Tale
C) The Pardoner's Tale
D) The Squire's Tale
- 16. Who proposes the storytelling contest in The Canterbury Tales?
A) The Pardoner
B) The Host
C) The Miller
D) The Knight
- 17. What does the term 'Canterbury' refer to?
A) A type of pilgrimage
B) A historical event
C) A city in England
D) A character in the tales
- 18. Which character is a deceitful figure in The Canterbury Tales?
A) The Knight
B) The Squire
C) The Pardoner
D) The Prioress
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