1. Essay question on The Canterbury Tales

2. Question 1 The narrator makes a plea in the Prologue:
But first I beg of you, in courtesy
Not to condemn me as unmannerly
If I speak plainly and with no concealing
And give account of all their words and dealings,
Using their very phrases as they fell.
Why was such a warning needed? Give an example of a story or detail that might have been viewed as “unmannerly,” and explain why readers of the time might have been offended.

3. Possible Outline I. Introduction with thesis statement
II. Explanation of why such a warning would be needed
III. One example of an “unmannerly” scene and why it might have offended medieval audience
IV. Another example of an “unmannerly” scene and why it might have offended medieval audience
V. Another example of an “unmannerly” scene and why it might have offended medieval audience
VI. Conclusion

4. REQUIREMENTS MLA Format (throughout) including a works cited page
At least three pieces of textual evidence (in the form of quotes) from the literature
At least one piece of textual evidence from an OUTSIDE source.
Handle quotes appropriately (signal phrases, integration, citation, significance)
2-3 pages