Essay question on The Canterbury Tales

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.

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

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