English 401: Chaucer--Discussion Questions
Week 1 September 20th
Th: Introduction to the course. Introduction to Chaucer. Historical background,
etc. For Tuesday, read the Introduction in the Riverside, noting especially
the sections on language and versification, and Chapter One of the Chaucer Companion—“The
social and literary scene in England.”
Week 2: September 24th
T Background to Chaucer—social, literary, linguistic and cultural. Model
of the universe, religion and religious controversy, social strata, courtly
love, genres of poetry, etc. For Thursday, read The Book of the Duchess, and
chapter 3 of the companion book, “Old books brought to life in dreams.”
Th The Book of the Duchess. Permanent assignment to study groups today—introductions
and small group discussion. Open class discussion.
Discussion question:The simplest possible question: you may ask any question, including "what is going on?" or make any observation.
Week 3: October 1st
T The Book of the Duchess.
Th The Book of the Duchess. For Tuesday, read The Parliament of Fowls,
possibly small selections of reserve material on courtly love.
Question: Pretend you are at a medieval entertainment, and that someone has just finished reading Chaucer's poem. Begin with the implied question upon love that the poem ends with, and continue the discussion in the direction of the nature of love (keep it courtly).
Week 4: October 8th
T The Parliament of Fowls. The court, courtly love, and the domande d’amour,
medieval romance, influence of poets such as Marie de France and Chretien des
Troyes.
Th Professor at conference.
Discussion question.
Week 5: October 15th
T. The Parliament of Fowls.
Th The Parliament of Fowls, and preparation for midterm.
Week 6: October 22nd
T Midterm.
Th Beginning of Canterbury Tales—General Prologue. Discussion of
Boccaccio, frame narrative, and the genres in the poem
Discussion question: What sort of associations do you have with the word "romance," and does it bear any resemblance to the romances in Canterbury Tales?
Week 7 October 29th
T.CT, Fragment A. Knight’s Tale, ch. 7 of companion.
Th Fragment A—Miller’s Tale, etc.
Discussion Question:
Week 8: November 5th
T Finish Fragment A—Miller’s Tale and Reeve’s Tale.
Ch. 8 of companion, on comedy.
Th. “Marriage Group”—Wife of Bath’s Tale. Translation paper
due.
Week 9 November 12th
T Wife of Bath’s Tale and Clerk’s Tale. Chapter 9 of
Companion—on pathos.
Th Merchant’s Tale.
Discussion question:
Week 10: November 19th
T Merchant’s Tale, Franklin’s Tale—ch. 10, exemplum and
fable.
Th Thanksgiving: no school.
Week 11: November 26th
T Finish the “Marriage Group” tales. Pardoner’s Tale.
Criticism paper due.
Th Pardoner’s Tale.
Exam: Thursday, December 6th, 11:30-1:30 pm.