2. Give background information on Chaucer and Middle English, using the Chaucer PowerPoint.
3. Explain to students the framing narrative of the poem. Students may find it easier to understand the framing narrative of the poem once they realize that Chaucer's pilgrims are like any travelers on a "road trip" who have decided to tell stories to help pass the time.
4. Make connections between The Canterbury Tales and other "road trip" films and stories, such as Smoke Signals, in which Thomas Builds The Fire is also a character in the film who is known for his talent for storytelling. The Wizard of Oz is another useful example because it depicts four characters who undertake a lengthy trek, each to seek aid from what they believe to be a mystical source.
5. Chaucer's pilgrims, of course, are on their own lengthy trek, this one a pilgrimage to seek spiritual aid from the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.
7. Read aloud the first eighteen lines of The General Prologue, which are among the most famous lines in English literature. Introduce students to the different sounds and stresses of Chaucer's Middle English. Reading Middle English is not all that difficult, and students can gain an appreciation for Chaucer's masterful use of 8. Tell the students that the rest of the prologue is where we meet the rest of the pilgrims. Pass out the pilgrim illustration sheet and assign each student a pilgrim to study about. Tell them to use the illustration sheet as a guide. Invite artistically talented students to feel free to design their own illustration. Let students begin to rehearse their presentations.
Homework Collected: None
Homework Given: Chaucer Pilgrim Presentation, due Thursday, January 28, Annotated Bibliography due Friday, January 29, 2010
Research Paper Due Dates:
Primary and Secondary Sources List: February 9th
Outline: February 17th
Rough Working Draft: February 24th
Peer Review Draft: March 9th
Published Draft: March 16th
Handouts given out: Pilgrim Assignment, Pilgrim Illustration Sheet (white)
To Read: Your pilgrim assignment
