The Nun’s Priest’s Tale

Each pilgrim from the Prologue agrees to tell a tale on the way to Canterbury. It’s of interest that the teller of this tale, the Nun’s Priest, is mentioned in the Prologue but not fully described. He reappears suddenly when the Host spots him at a crucial moment. The Knight has objected to the Monk’s tragic tale, and it looks as if the storytelling game might end in bitterness. The Nun’s Priest is asked to save the game with a merry tale. “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is an example of a FABLE. DEF A fable is a literary genre consisting of fictional writing, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that are given human qualities such as verbal communication. Fables often conclude with a moral lesson. The Nun’s Priest’s Prologue

In the mock-heroic style, a writer uses a style of language usually used for describing heroes in order to describe ordinary characters, This results in a hilarious disparity between content and style. In “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale,” Chaucer uses heroic language to retell a popular tale about a charming rooster, Chanticleer, and a fox. By mismatching these noble words with barnyard doings, he shows the silly side of heroic tales and of the serious words that he loves. In the end, his affection for his characters rules the day, and Chanticleer triumphs by words alone. Mock-Heroic Style

Mock-Heroic (or Mock-Epic as it is sometimes called) Style is another form of satire, writing which makes fun of human or societal shortcomings. When writers use the Mock-Heroic style, they are essentially satirizing epic poems like Sir Gawain & The Green Knight and epic heroes like Beowulf. Satirists accomplish this effect by using the kinds of tones, language, and characterization techniques commonly used for creating epic heroes and writing epic poems. Essentially, the writer creates a humorous effect with ridiculous characters, plot devices, and over-the-top descriptions giving the reader an impression that the subject matter is being taken much too seriously.

Introducing the Hero --- The Cock He was called Chanticleer. His crowing was more regular than a clock or a church bell. He was a very handsome bird. He had a red comb on his head, a shining black beak, blue legs and golden feathers which shone like fire. He has seven wives. The prettiest was called Lady Pertelote.

Introducing Lady Pertelote She was the prettiest. She was polite, friendly and wise. She had loved Chanticleer since she was a seven-day-old chick and she was his favorite wife.

Introducing Russel the Fox He was a sly fox with black tips on his ears and tail.

What other animals did the old widow have? pig sheep cow three one three

What did Chanticleer dream about? He dreamt that a horrible monster wanted to catch him and eat him. Did Pertelote agree about the dream ? What did she think about the dream? No, she didn’t believe the dream is true. She thought the dream were nothing. Dreams were the result of eating too much late at night.

Did the dream happen? Yes, it happened. Why did the fox come to the farmyard? He was waiting for the right time to run out and catch Chanticleer, the fat cock.

What happened when Chanticleer closed his eyes to sing ? What happened when the fox opened his mouth to speak? The fox jumped. He caught Chanticleer by the neck, threw him over his back, and ran off towards the forest. The rooster got free. He flew high into the trees and sat on a branch looking down the fox.

The Key Words: Cock (Chanticleer) hen (Lady Pertelote) dream fox cheat the cock caught the cock by the neck the fox opened his mouth the cock got free.

Many years ago, there was a poor widow. She had two daughters and some animals. In them, there was a cock called Chanticleer. He had seven wives. The prettiest one was Pertelote. They lived a happy life. But one day he had a terrible dream. He dreamed that a horrible monster wanted to catch him and eat him. He told it to Pertelote. But she didn’t believe it’s true. And she suggested Chanticleer to forget the dream. They enjoyed the sunshine together. But there was a fox hided in the yard. He waited the right time. He cheated the cock he wanted to listen the cock’s beautiful voice. When the cock closed his eyes to sing. The fox jumped and caught the cock by the neck. The cock would die. Then the cock spoke to the fox. The fox opened his mouth. When he opened the mouth, the cock got free. Summary of the Tale

nose mouth eyebrow What’s the names of the parts of the face

finsfangs claws fur tail whiskers antennae scales wings comb beak feathers

Homework: 1.Do dreams come true? 2.Does all the bad luck in the world come from women? 3.Does the story teach us anything?