Prioress

For Monday pls answer question 6. For Wed. please answer question 4. Friday thinksheet TBA

1.  What do you make of the tale’s setting in Asia (the middle east)?  Does it make a difference to the rest of the tale?  To the representations of Jews and Christians? Why set this tale somewhere other than England?

2.  How are Jews represented?  Christians?  What are their differences and similarities? What overall argument would you make about these characterizations?

3.  Look at the Prioress’s opening Prologue.  How does she portray herself? What are the affinities between the Prioress in GP and her Prologue and the little clergeon?

4.  How does the maternal function in this tale?  What are mothers like?  What do you see as the overall portrayal of mothers and the feminine?

5.  Why does Chaucer assign this tale to the Prioress?  What is the relationship between teller and tale?

6.  What kind of imagery do you find in this tale?  Do you see patterns?  How does imagery relate to theme?