DO NOW:

1. DO NOW: WHAT IS CHAUCER INDIRECTLY SAYING ABOUT THESE CHARACTERS? “The nun was known as Madame Eglatyne” “The monk’s sleeves were garnished at the hand, with fine gray fur, the finest in the land,” “The Friar knew every innkeeper and barmaid too better than lepers, beggars and that crew” “The thread on the overcoat of the Oxford Cleric was bare.” “The Wife of Bath had five husbands, all at the church door, apart from other company in youth.” The beard of the Miller, “like any sow or fox was red,”

2. Answers Eglantyne is a type of wild rose whose stems readily entangle passers-by. It was also the name of several “clinging-vine” heroines in medieval romances. Chaucer is saying the nun is too clinging, helpless and a little too dainty.  The monk likes good living and rejects the lowly and devout lifestyles of some monks. The Friar would rather drink in pubs than help the poor and ill. He neglected his appearance in favor of study. Chaucer is questioning her morality.  By associating his hair with a sow or a Fox Chaucer is making an indirect characterization, saying the Miller is slovenly and cunning.

3. The Canterbury Tales How can we make them relevant to today?

4. The General Prologue • “The General Prologue” of The Canterbury Tales introduces us to a number of different characters. • These characters are "types" • (that is, they are never given names, but rather identified by their profession and meant to symbolize one part of life in the middle ages.)

5. The Ideas Behind Characterization Through his brilliant characterization (both direct and indirect), Chaucer reveals both the positive and negatives traits of each of these characters. This works to provides an amazing social commentary of his time, as well as gives us a clear insight into his society, its values, and its customs. By learning how Chaucer views each character, we are able to conclude how he viewed his own English society.

6. Indirect Characterization • INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION - the writer reveals information about a character and his personality through that character's thoughts, words, and actions, along with how other characters respond to that character, including what they think and say about him. • Example 1: When Jane walked in the room, nobody could help but look at her stunning, gorgeous face. She commanded attention wherever she went due to her good looks. • Example 2: You would not expect Linda to do what other women would normally do. When she was eighteen, she ran away from home and got married to a thirty nine year old painter. The marriage however did not last long. At the end of one year, Linda was left with a two month child and a divorce. This did not kill Linda's spirit though. She soon moved to the city and got herself a job as a dancer at the newly opened Evans theater.

7. Direct Characterization • DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION - the writer makes direct statements about a character's personality and tells what the character is like. • Example1: Jane was a beautiful young girl. She had golden hair and blue eyes, which made her stand out from the rest. • Example 2: Linda was a strong woman who lived her entire life on her own terms, without compromising and without ever being apologetic for anything.

8. Let’s Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImA7CILOTTw (Direct) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4XQMMmXFic (Indirect)

9. Think about our modern day culture and society. The Wife of Bath- A real Orange county wife The Pardoner -A modern day cult leader. The Miller- The factory worker The Prioress-A social debutante turned charity worker The Monk-The polititcian too busy to show up to his job. The Summoner- A bounty hunter.

10. Continued… The Squire-A modern teenager working his way through college The Clerk-A waitress/waitor who never got to go to school, but is self taught. The Man of Law-A lawyer The Manciple- a Janitor, who is secretly a genius. The Merchant-A Wall street stock tycoon The Shipman- Cowboy or...a sailor The Physician- A doctor The Franklin - A restaurant owner The Reeve -A private accountant that skims off the top

11. Wait there’s more… The Plowman - fast food worker The Guildsmen - A union representative The Cook- a prison cook The Yeoman - A hunting guide or nature guide of a sort The Nun’s Priest -Stand up comedian The Host- Used care sales man/insurance sales man/motivational speaker. The Parson- A pastor

12. Task • Create a minimum of a two paragraph character description of a modern day character "type.” • Brainstorm the following: • What are some "types" they observe in our school or society? • Put another way, if Chaucer was writing this now, what is one “character type” he’d be sure to include on the journey? • (IE: the jock, teacher, business man,stay at home mom etc.)

13. Your Description Should… • These two paragraphs should describe their character in Chaucer-esque fashion, of course. • For example: • What does he or she look like? • What are his/her positive and negative personality traits? • What does he or she believe in? • Be sure to, as Chaucer does, utilize both direct and indirect characterization.

14. Be Funny Not Cruel While it's ok to use humor in these descriptions (as Chaucer does)--keep in mind, this is not the place to be cruel. We need to remember that according to Chaucer, every character had some redeeming quality.