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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does the Prioress praise in her prologue?

2. Who does Cecilia love?

3. Who falls from his horse after the Yeoman's Tale?

4. Why does Virginius kill Virginia?

5. How does the youngest of the men find Death?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is the inspiration for the Manciple's Tale?

2. What is the style of the Nun's Priest's Tale?

3. What is the parallel between the Canon's Yeoman's Prologue and his Tale?

4. What is the theology of life the Parson presents in his tale?

5. What question is at the heart of the debate between Melibee and Prudence?

6. What kind of a man is Phoebus in the Manciple's Tale?

7. What is the significance of Virginia's name in the Physician's Tale?

8. Why does the Knight interrupt the Monk's Tale?

9. What about the Shipman's Tale suggests that Chaucer originally intended the story to be told by a female character?

10. What contributes heavily to the length of the Tale of Melibee?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of characters' names in the pilgrims' tales. How do characters' names contribute to the overall stories? Why does Chaucer use characters' names to contribute to the stories in this way?

Essay Topic 2

Define mood. Choose one tale and identify its mood. How is the mood expressed in the tale? How does the mood contribute to the overall tale?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of Greek literature and mythology on Chaucer's society. How does Greek mythology and literature play a role in the pilgrims' tales? What does this reveal about Chaucer's society? What does it reveal about the pilgrims?

(see the answer keys)

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