1. British Literature: Day 10 (block)
Review characterization slides from yesterday
Canterbury Tales partner analysis of choice tale: Pardoner OR Wife of Bath (15 minutes)
Vote for “best” and include why
Reminders: Due on Friday
Modern Day Canterbury Tales
25-40 lines
At least 3 examples of figurative language…used AND labeled
Insert comment? Look at examples on Moodle
Imitate Chaucer’s style (rhymed couplets, 10 syllables/line, character’s job, physical description, personality traits,
Uses direct and indirect characterization (label this, too)
Canterbury Tales reading guide for both Pardoner and Wife
Work time for reading guides and Modern Day character

2. Learning Targets
Students will apply the ways in which characterization impacts the reader’s understanding of a character and author’s message, as well as how Medieval society is reflected in an author’s work.
Students will replicate an author’s style and literary devices in their own original work.

3. Direct Characterization
The author DIRECTLY tells us about the qualities of the character’s personality.
The knight is described, on p. 96, lines 70-74:
“And though so much distinguished, he was wise/ and in his bearing modest as a maid. He never yet a boorish (crude; bad mannered) thing had said/ In all his life to any, come what might;/ He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight.”
These are things we cannot see from a character’s personality. We can only learn these things if directly told.

4. Indirect Characterization
The author INDIRECTLY tells us about the qualities of the character’s personality.
The writer reveals a character through their words (speech), thoughts, and actions, as well as through what other characters think and say about that character.
The Summoner is described, on p. 110, lines :
“His face on fire, like a cherubin,/ For he had carbuncles. His eyes were narrow,/ He was as hot and lecherous as a sparrow./ Black and scabby brows he had, and a thin beard./ Children were afraid when he appeared…Garlic he loved, and onions too, and leeks,/ And drinking strong read wine till all was hazy.”
These are things we can observe…how the character speaks, his appearance, how others react to him.
If you ran into this guy on the street, would you want to stop and chat? What kind of character does he seem to be?

5. The Modern Day Canterbury Tales
Create an original character that could appear on the journey and write a description imitating Chaucer’s style, rhythm, and rhyme scheme.
Your character description “should” be able to be placed in Chaucer’s Prologue (use the Prologue as a guide).
Must write lines. Explain your characters’ personality, physical appearance, and job skills. Be sure to be descriptive with your word choice. Use imagery, similes, and metaphors, kennings, etc.
Rhymed couplets!
Highlight and label all literary elements (figurative language) that you use…this must be done to receive the figurative language points on your rubric.
Must be typed
DUE FRIDAY WHEN YOU COME TO CLASS!