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KEY PREPARING FOR PRELIMINARY PRELIMINARY PREPARING FOR FIRST FIRST
The Canterbury Tales
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Geoffrey Chaucer
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In The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer takes us back to life at the end of the 14th century. A group of pilgrims meet at the Tabard Inn and set out on a pilgrimage from London to Canterbury to pay homage to the sacred shrine of Thomas Becket. In order to pass the time during their journey, each pilgrim tells a story and this is how the various characters come to life. The tales of love, honour, honesty and betrayal are still relevant to today’s society.
Geoffrey Chaucer
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Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales
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He was born in London in 1343. He was a great English writer and is considered the founder of modern English literature, so much so that he was the first to be buried at Westminster Abbey in Poets’ Corner. Although he wrote several important works, he is best remembered for his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales. In Chaucer’s time, French and Latin were the languages in which most literary works were produced. Chaucer went against tradition by choosing to write The Canterbury Tales in Middle English, the language of the people, thus elevating English as a literary language.
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Welcome to The Canterbury Tales Information about the author, the story and the historical period.
The text with cultural details, brief summaries and glossary.
Brief description of the main characters.
A wide variety of activities covering Cambridge Exam Certificates, State exams, 21st Century Skills and 2030 Agenda topics. Pre-reading activities.
A final test to check what you remember.
Script of one of the most important scenes from the story to act out together in class.
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Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales
Retold by Alex Peet
Illustrated by Andrea De Luca
Legenda
FIRST
Drama
INVALSI
Glossario
Esame di Stato
Agenda 2030
Costituzione e Cittadinanza
21st Century Skills
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The Sign of Four E. Gaskell, K. Chopin, K. Mansfield, V. Woolf, E.Wharton Portraits of Women Robert Louis Stevenson The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales Jane Austin Pride and Prejudice Series Editors Paola Accattoli, Grazia Ancillani Art Director Daniele Garbuglia Graphic Design Emilia Coari Production Manager Francesco Capitano Photo Credits Shutterstock, page 82: courtesy of Baba Brinkman © 2021 ELi, Gruppo editoriale ELi
Printed in Italy by
Tecnostampa - Pigini Group Printing Division, Loreto - Trevi 21.83.266.0
ISBN
ENG004-01 978-88-536-3338-5
www.gruppoeli.it
Contents
6
Dossier 1 Chaucer: his life and works
10 Characters 12 Pre-reading Activities 16 Chapter 1 The Prologue 22
Activities
26 Chapter 2 The Knight’s Tale 32
Activities
36 Chapter 3 The Knight’s Tale continued 42
Activities
46 Dossier 2 Life in Chaucer’s Times 50 Chapter 4 The Wife of Bath’s Tale 56
Activities
60 Chapter 5 The Clerk’s Tale 66
Activities
70 Chapter 6 The Merchant’s Tale 76
Activities
80 Dossier 3 Films, Plays and More 84 Chapter 7 The Franklin’s Tale 90
Activities
94 Chapter 8 The Pardoner’s Tale 100
Activities
104
Final Test
110
Drama
112
My Book
Dossier
Chaucer: his life and works Who was Chaucer? Geoffrey Chaucer is considered one of the greatest English poets and is often called ‘the father of English literature’. The Canterbury Tales is still studied in schools today. However, while he is best known for his poetry, he was also a philosopher, astronomer, civil servant and diplomat. He was the first poet to be buried in Poets’ Corner inside Westminster Abbey.
Early Life The Chaucer family were wealthy and middle-class with connections to the royal court, which steadily increased over the generations. Chaucer’s grandfather was a successful London wine merchant and his father, John, probably continued this business. Chaucer may have been educated at St Paul’s Cathedral school. One of the best ways to get a good education and succeed was to send children to serve in noble or royal families. John Chaucer was able to afford to do this, and Geoffrey became a page*. 6
page a boy who is a personal servant to an important person
CURRICULUM VITAE
Chaucer lived in London during much of his early career, but later, his home was in Kent.
Chaucer was page to Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster, wife of King Edward III’s third son, Lionel.
Troilus and Criseyde is considered by some critics to be his best work.
I have had a varied career in the King’s service and developed many skills. I am an excellent communicator, both spoken and written, and have strong interpersonal and language skills. I am hard-working and dedicated. Name: Geoffrey Chaucer Date of birth: 1343 Address: Kent Marital status: married Work experience 1357 Page in a royal household. 1359 - 1360 On a military campaign. 1360 - 1388 In royal service, positions included diplomat and customs official 1370 Poet. Works include Troilus and Criseyde, The Canterbury Tales. 1385 Justice of the Peace in Kent. 1386 Member of Parliament. 1389 - 91 Clerk of the King’s works, duties were supervision of repairs and maintenance of royal buildings, e.g. the Tower of London. 1391 Responsible for a royal park in Somerset. Skills
French, Latin, English, Italian. Good interpersonal and negotiating skills, excellent writing skills.
Interests
Astronomy, philosophy, poetry.
We don’t know exactly when Chaucer was born, but it is thought it was between 1340 and 1343.
Chaucer married Philippa Roet in 1366. They had four children.
Chaucer accompanied Lionel when he went to fight in France during the Hundred Years’ War. Chaucer was captured and held to ransom.
From 1372-73 he went to Genoa to negotiate a port for the English and to Florence for loans for Edward III.
During his time in Italy, he read the works of Dante, Petrach and Boccaccio, all of whom influenced his writing.
7
Career Chaucer had a very successful career working in the King’s service for almost all his life and received a pension from the king. However, such a full career left Chaucer very little time for writing. His position as clerk to the King’s works in 1389 was also quite dangerous, and he was robbed twice and attacked. In 1891, he asked to retire and took a quieter job as an official for a royal park and was able to spend more time writing.
8
Writings After the Norman invasion, French was the language used by the kings and those in power in England. One of the reasons for Chaucer’s fame was his decision to write in English instead of French. His first work, The Book of the Duchess, written in 1370, is in memory of the wife of the Duke of Lancaster, who had died in 1369. This poem uses the dream-vision form made popular by French poets. The Parliament of Fouls, written in 1380, was a dream-vision about St Valentine’s Day, and Chaucer was heavily influenced by Dante and Boccaccio. Troilus and Criseyde, written sometime during the 1380s, tells a tragic love story during the Trojan Wars. In this poem, he used a technique he invented of stanzas of seven rhyming lines. Some consider it his greatest work. Chaucer also wrote The Treatise of the Astrolabe, which explained how astronomers used this piece of equipment to locate the sun, moon and planets. It is one of the oldest scientific works still in existence.
The Canterbury Tales This is Chaucer’s best-known work and the first major work of literature written in English. Started in 1387, it was unfinished by the time he died in 1400. It is the humorous story of a journey to Canterbury by a group of pilgrims*, including Chaucer, and the tales they tell to entertain one another. Chaucer had intended all the characters to tell four stories each – two going to Canterbury and two on the return journey. In fact, Chaucer only wrote twenty-four tales, and the pilgrims do not even arrive in Canterbury before the story suddenly ends. The work demonstrates his accurate observation of people, the Middle Ages and his poetic abilities. Although none of his original manuscripts have survived, there are quite a number from the 1500s, which show just how popular these tales were. They remain so today.
pilgrims people who journey, often a long way, to a famous religious place to pray
CharactersCharacters
Palamon and Arcite, cousins taken prisoner by Theseus, are both in love with Emily.
He is set a challenge by the queen.
10
Theseus’s beautiful and kind sister-in-law.
The noble and wise duke is the ruler of Athens.
She helps the young knight, is wise and has magical powers.
The hero of the story; she is extremely obedient and loyal to her husband.
The ruler of Saluzzo, he does not trust his wife.
Old knight who chooses to marry a young woman.
January’s young wife who loves Damian.
A young man who falls in love with May.
Wife of Averigus; she is noble and loyal.
Knight who marries Dorigen; he is humble and honest.
Loves Dorigen; he is generous and kind.
Death, an old man who represents death.
Three villains who decide to kill Death.
11
PRE-READING ACTIVITIES
Speaking – Up to You! 1 You are going to read a story called The Canterbury Tales. What do you think it will be about? Tell your classmate. a b c
Stories that take place in the city of Canterbury Stories told on the way to Canterbury Something else – say what
Grammar – Gap Fill 2 Read and complete the text below. Do you want to change your answer to question 1? Why Canterbury? has Canterbury, a city in the south-east of England, ___________ over 1400 years of history. It is home to the country’s first cathedral. The cathedral (1)___________ in the 7th century by St Augustine, who became the first archbishop in England and (2)___________ religious leader. During the Middle Ages, religion was a major part of everyday life. People travelled to cities like Rome and Jerusalem (3)___________. These journeys were called pilgrimages, and those who went on them were called pilgrims. It was not just the rich who went on pilgrimages; (4)___________ poor people made the journey. In 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket (5)___________ in the cathedral by the King’s men. Shortly after his death, people started to travel to his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral. Later, when there were reports of miracles, more people went. By the time Chaucer wrote his story, Canterbury (6)___________ one of the major destinations in Europe for pilgrimages. a had
b will have
1 a was built
c has
b is built
2 a the more senior
d have
c built
b most senior
d has been built c the most senior
d more senior 3 a to pray 4 a but
b even
5 a murdered 6 a became 12
b for pray c too
c for praying
d praying
d so
b murder b has become
c is murdered
d was murdered
c had become
d become
Writing & Reading Comprehension 3 Now answer these questions. 1 In which region of the UK is Canterbury?
________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 2 Who was the first archbishop in England?
________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 3 Why did people make pilgrimages?
________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 4 What initially caused people to visit Thomas Becket’s tomb?
________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
Online Research 4 Look online to find out: a when the first cathedral was built in Italy b famous destinations in Italy for pilgrimages c who the head of the Church in Italy was in 1170 and in 1387
Vocabulary – The Canterbury Tales Characters 5 Match the people with the definitions. Use a dictionary if necessary. 1
knight
2
innkeeper
3 a merchant 4
clerk
5
franklin
6
friar
7
pardoner
a businessman who buys and sells things b (old meaning) an educated person, student c (old word) someone who owned land d soldier in medieval times e member of a religious order of men f (old word) man who works for the Church and officially forgives people g (old word) person who ran a type of pub 13
PRE-READING ACTIVITIES
Vocabulary – Crossword 6 Complete the crossword with the words below.
14
inn
he conquers
armour
humble
spurs
stockings
jester
cloak
Across 2 Knights wore it for protection in battle. 4 These will keep your legs warm. 6 Travellers ate and slept here. 7 The opposite of arrogant.
Down 1 Before coats, people wore this. 3 He entertained kings. 4 Use these to make your horse go faster. 5 If you defeat another country in war you _______ it.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Writing 7 A curriculum vitae is normally written when you are looking for a job. Use the one on page 7 as a model and write a curriculum vitae either for a famous person you admire or for yourself.
15
Chapter 1
The Prologue
2
The Tabard Inn, established in 1307, was one of the most famous inns in London, located on the road leading out of the city towards Canterbury and Dover in the south. Sadly, it was destroyed by fire, along with many other buildings in 1669. A ‘tabard’ was also a piece of clothing worn by soldiers. Chaucer meets a group of pilgrims and decides to travel with them to Canterbury.
When the April rains are over and spring is in the air, people often want to go on a pilgrimage. Some will travel abroad, but many make their way to the city of Canterbury, where Thomas Becket lies. And so it was, that one April, I, too, decided to travel there. I broke my journey at The Tabard Inn in London and was joined later that evening by a large group of pilgrims. They were a mixed bunch, who had met along the way, all travelling to Canterbury. I fell into conversation with some of them, and soon it was decided that I would journey with the group. Let me tell you about a few of my companions. There was a noble* knight, for whom honour and justice were all-important. He had fought many battles for his king and never lost. He had helped to conquer many places and dined with kings and princes. Despite noble good, honest, full of honour
16
Chapter 1 The Prologue
his great success and noble family, he was modest and wise, respected others and was truly a perfect knight. Although he rode a magnificent* horse, he was simply dressed. He wore a cotton shirt which had stains from his armour – for he had just left the battlefield. His son was travelling with him. A good-looking young man of about twenty, of average height with curly hair and an honest gentle face, he would be a knight himself one day. Another of the pilgrims was a friar called Hubert. He was a cheerful man who had found ways to make his life very comfortable. He was very good at begging and could persuade even the poorest old lady to give him money. He heard confessions and, for a price, he would pardon* anyone. Hubert knew all the inns and taverns* in his town very well and spent more time there than with the poor and sick. After all, they had very little to give him. There was also a merchant among the travellers. I am afraid I never found out his name, but he was a pleasant fellow. He had a forked* beard, wore trousers like a jester’s, a fur hat and boots which looked expensive. He told everyone how wealthy he was and certainly looked like a successful businessman. In fact, truth be told, he was in debt up to his eyes*!
The difference between inns and taverns originally was that people could also stay at an inn, not just eat and drink. However, taverns soon offered accommodation, too, and the words became interchangeable. Neither word is used today, although ‘inn’ survives in the names of some pubs.
magnificent excellent (to) pardon to forgive tavern old word for pub forked split in two in debt up to his eyes he was in a lot of debt 17
Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer describes the clerk and the franklin before describing one of the female pilgrims.
Bath is a city in the south-west of England, which was founded by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. and is famous for the Roman Baths. In the Middle Ages, it was important for its wool industry.
A poor clerk was also among the company of pilgrims. He rode a very thin horse and was thin himself too. His clothes were old and threadbare*, but he was not interested in buying new ones. He had no job and spent all his time reading. He spent any money he received on philosophy books. He was a serious, polite, young man who spoke little and only when it was necessary. Yet, what he said showed he gave matters careful consideration. Next there was a franklin, or landowner if you prefer. He was a Member of Parliament too. He had a snow-white beard and a heavy, round, red face – no doubt due to his love of wine. Yes, he enjoyed the pleasures of the table. He liked nothing better than to entertain guests at his large house, and people would come from near and far because he served only the very best food. There were a few women among the pilgrims. Let me tell you about one in particular: a wife who came from Bath. She was an attractive woman with a reddish* face and a gap* between her front teeth. She wore a wide hat and a cloak to keep her dress clean, red stockings and new comfortable shoes and spurs. She had been married five times, so could offer plenty of advice on love. She was well-travelled and had been threadbare of clothes: thin in places due to use and age reddish a bit red gap a space
18
Chapter 1 The Prologue
on several pilgrimages, even to Rome and Jerusalem. With all her experiences, she had many stories to tell. Although she was a little deaf, she enjoyed a good conversation, and a bit of gossip. Finally, I will tell you about the pardoner, who had just returned from Rome with a bag full of pardons to sell to those who confessed their crimes. He also had a pillowcase* full of stuff which he claimed belonged to this or that saint. He had thin, shoulder-length, yellow hair which he wore without a hat of any kind because he thought he looked attractive. He had big eyes like a rabbit, and, when he spoke, he sounded like a goat bleating*. There were twenty or so other travellers, from all walks of life, high and low, but I think you get the idea of just how different the pilgrims all were, so let me continue my story. That evening we all had an excellent meal at the inn and plenty of good wine, too. The innkeeper was a large, broad man who was welcoming and wise. After dinner he said, ‘I declare I have not had such pleasant guests staying here all year! I wish I knew how to entertain you more. Wait! I have just had an idea! If you agree to it, I am sure your journey to Canterbury will be more fun. What do you say?’ Well, we all quickly agreed without even knowing his plan.
In the early Catholic Church, pardons or indulgences allowed people to perform good actions, such as pilgrimages and charity, in order to reduce punishment after death for any bad things they had done. As time went on, the idea of paying money instead became widely accepted and this inevitably led to corruption and abuse, for example by the pardoners who sold the pardons for the Church.
pillowcase cover for a pillow bleating the sound a goat or lamb makes 19
Chapter 1 The Prologue
‘Excellent,’ he said happily, ‘I know that to pass the time on the journey to Canterbury, you will probably tell each other stories, but I propose we make it a competition. Everyone here must tell a story, and I will decide which is the best. The winner will get a free dinner. I’ll ride with you to Canterbury to judge the stories and will be your guide too, if you agree. What do you say?’ Of course, we all thought it was an excellent idea. After all, who doesn’t like a good competition? The next day we set off shortly after dawn and travelled some distance. When we finally stopped for a rest, the innkeeper spoke. ‘Do you remember what we agreed last night?’ he asked. We all nodded. ‘Right then, we need to decide who goes first. Let’s draw straws* for it. Whoever has the shortest will start. My lord knight, you first,’ he said, holding out a handful of straw. The knight came forward and took one. Then everyone else followed him in turn. I do not know whether it was luck or fate*, but the knight drew the shortest straw. ‘So, it seems I must commence the game,’ said the good knight. ‘Let’s continue our journey, and I shall tell you my tale as we go.’
The innkeeper proposes a competition to make the journey more fun.
In the Middle Ages the expression was ‘draw cuts’, and in the 1400s it changed to ‘draw lots’. The expression ‘draw straws’ was actually introduced in the 1800s.
(to) draw straws a way to decide who does something by choosing pieces of dry grass fate a supernatural power that decides a person’s life
The pilgrims set out for Canterbury.
21
CHECK IT OUT
Reading Comprehension – Ordering Events 1 Number the following events in chronological order. a
The winner receives a free dinner.
b 4 The knight returns from battle. c
Chaucer decides to go on a pilgrimage.
d
The innkeeper proposes a competition.
e
The group of pilgrims arrive at the inn.
f
The innkeeper provides an excellent meal.
g
Chaucer talks to some of the travellers.
h
The weather changes for the better.
i
The pilgrims decide who should tell the first story.
j k
1 Thomas Becket is murdered. Chaucer and the pilgrims set off for Canterbury.
Vocabulary – Adjectives 2 Circle the three words which best describe the various characters. Use a dictionary if necessary. 1 Knight
proud reliable
2 Pardoner content sociable
honest brave honest persuasive
3 Merchant confident unsuccessful cautious flamboyant 4 Wife of Bath chatty
independent wise
5 Franklin
greedy
successful
arrogant sociable
6 Clerk
serious
educated
cheerful quiet
educated
Writing your Opinion 3 Which of the characters do you think Chaucer admires the most and which does he admire the least? Give your reasons. 22
_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
DEVELOPING SPOT ON GRAMMAR CRITICAL THINKING
Verb forms – Past Tenses 1 Complete the sentences using the appropriate verbs from the box in the correct form of the past tense. pardon welcome stay be travel do fight meet set out provide stop suggest
had been on many pilgrimages before this one. The wife of Bath _________ 1 While he _________ at the inn, Chaucer _________ other pilgrims. 2 The innkeeper _________ his guests, _________ dinner and
____________ a game. 3 Nobody _________ on pilgrimage until the rain _________ . 4 The knight, who _________ with his son, _________ many battles. 5 For the right price, Hubert _________ anyone for anything they
_________ .
Speaking – Talking about Interests 2 Use the words in the box to talk about each of the people Chaucer has introduced.
good at
spend time
enjoy
1
2
interested in 3
Now tell your partner about you using the words above.
Vocabulary and Verb Forms
4
3 Use the words in the box to complete the sentences.
looked like sounded like (x2) like (x2) behave like talked like 1 The merchant _____________ and _____________ a successful
businessman. 2 His trousers were _____________ a jester’s. 3 The pardoner had big eyes _____________ a rabbit. 4 He also _____________ a goat. 5 Hubert did not _____________ a good friar. 6 The competition _____________ a good idea. 23
FOCUS ON YOUR EXAMS
Speaking FIRST
Compare and contrast the two sets of photographs and say what you think people found / find most difficult about living in the different periods.
1 3
2 4
24
THINK ON!
2030 Agenda Speaking & Writing 1
There was very little pollution in Chaucer’s times. However, today it is a major problem. Talk to a partner and make a list of what pollution there was during Chaucer’s time and what there is now. 1 2 3 4
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Research & Writing 2
Choose two things from your list above and think of five ways their negative effects can be reduced or eliminated. Look online for information if necessary. 1 ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 2 ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
25
Chapter 2
The Knight’s Tale
3 Theseus is a hero in Greek mythology, most famous for killing the minotaur on the island of Crete.
Thebes was a city in central Greece that was an enemy of Athens.
There was once a duke* called Theseus who ruled Athens. He was the greatest and wisest leader who had ever lived, he had fought many wars and conquered many countries. Approaching Athens on his return from battle one time, he saw a group of women kneeling by the roadside, dressed in black from head to foot and weeping* loudly. ‘Why are you crying?’ Theseus asked, stopping his horse quickly. The oldest lady in the group answered him: ‘My lord, we have come to beg for your help. Alas*, the Wheel of Fortune turns and takes away what it has given. My husband was a king, but he died in the battle for Thebes. We all lost our husbands in the same battle and now we have nothing. We can’t even bury them because, as an insult, they are left in the street for dogs to eat.’ duke (here) ruler (to) weep to cry alas exclamation of grief or concern
26
Chapter 2 The Knight’s Tale
On hearing this, Theseus felt great pity for the noble ladies and promised revenge. He immediately set out to Thebes with his army. I won’t go into detail of the battle there because my story is already long enough. Suffice* to say that Theseus was successful. Now, amongst the dead, his soldiers found two young knights who were more dead than alive but still breathing. It was clear they were members of the royal family, so Theseus decided to take them back to Athens, throw them in a tower and keep them prisoners there forever. Palamon and Arcite, as the two young knights were called, were in fact cousins and the best of friends. They spent their days walking backwards and forwards in their chamber* or looking from the tower, thinking of Thebes, even though they knew that Theseus would not release them for all the gold in the world. One morning the Queen’s younger sister, Emily, was gathering flowers near the tower and singing happily, when Palamon looked down and saw her. She was very beautiful, with golden hair falling to her waist and, immediately struck by her beauty, he cried out as if in pain. ‘Arcite, I have seen a vision of beauty in the garden. Is she a woman or a goddess? I don’t care! I am in love.’ Curious, Arcite looked out of the tower and, upon
Not burying the dead was considered an offence against the gods.
Theseus captures two young knights in Thebes and takes them back to Athens, where he keeps them prisoner. From his prisoner window, Palamon sees Emily, the duke’s sister-in-law.
suffice it is enough chamber old word for a private room, especially a bedroom 27
Chapter 2 The Knight’s Tale
seeing Emily, he too fell as madly in love as his cousin, if not more so. ‘Oh, she is so beautiful,’ sighed Arcite. ‘I’ll die if I can’t see her again!’ ‘You are joking, right?’ Palamon asked. ‘Not at all,’ replied Arcite. Palamon was fuming*. ‘You and I have promised to always be loyal to each other and never let anyone or anything come between us. How can you now say you are in love with the lady I love? You have betrayed me!’ he exclaimed angrily. Unashamed, Arcite retorted*: ‘I betrayed you? No, you are the traitor*! You do not even know if you are in love with a woman or a goddess. I do! I am in love with a beautiful woman! Besides, in love everything is fair. But there is no point arguing: neither of us can have her since we are prisoners in this tower.’ This did not make Palamon less angry and the two continued to quarrel. Now it so happened that Theseus had a very good friend called Perotheus, who used to come to stay in Athens. Perotheus also knew Arcite very well and, when he learnt that Arcite was a prisoner in Athens, he begged Theseus to release him. The duke reluctantly agreed on one condition: Arcite had to leave Athens and never return. If he ever came back, he would be put to death.
Palamon and Arcite both fall in love with Emily and argue about her.
Perotheus is also a character from Greek mythology. He travelled with Theseus on his adventures. Theseus is persuaded to release Arcite but he must never return to Athens.
fuming informal, very angry (to) retort to answer angrily traitor a person who betrays you From his prison window, Palamon sees Emily gathering flowers.
29
Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales
Arcite and Palamon are both unhappy and think the other is luckier, imagining the opportunities they have to win Emily. 4
Mercury – messenger of the gods, god of travellers.
Was Arcite happy to be released? Not a bit! He cried and screamed, cursed* his fate and wished he had never met Perotheus. ‘We think we know what we want but we don’t. I prayed to be released from this prison, and now it is the last thing on earth that I want! I would prefer to die than not see my love again! Oh, Palamon, how lucky you are! You can see her every day! You might even find a way to win her heart. I wish I were dead!’ Palamon was equally miserable. ‘Arcite, you snake, you are free! You can go back to Thebes, raise an army, defeat Theseus and take my beautiful Emily as your wife. And I can do nothing to stop you! I am trapped here and will die alone and forgotten. Oh, what is the point of living if all we do is suffer?’ Arcite returned to Thebes but was so sad and lovesick that he wasted away* until he was unrecognisable. Two years passed, and one night he had a dream in which Mercury told him he should go back to Athens. In the morning, he caught sight of himself in the mirror and, seeing how different he looked, he thought of a plan. For sure, nobody would recognise him, especially if he dressed like a poor worker. Once back in Athens, he went to the palace, offered to do any work needed and (to) curse (to) complain about (to) waste away to grow very thin
30
Chapter 2 The Knight’s Tale
told everyone his name was Philostrate. Fortune smiled on him. He worked hard, was polite and became so well liked that soon Theseus made him his assistant. In time, he became the Duke’s most trusted advisor* and friend. Meanwhile, Palamon had been in prison for seven long years. He was miserable. All he thought about was Emily. One night, with the help of a friend, he managed to escape. He ran as far as he could and then, as the sun came up, he hid in some bushes. He planned to wait there until nightfall then make his way to Thebes, raise an army and return for Emily. Now it so happened that same morning Arcite went for a walk near where Palamon was hiding. As he walked, he talked to himself and then sat down, putting his head in his hands. ‘What can I do?’ thought Arcite aloud. ‘My family is scattered*, my poor cousin Palamon is in prison, and I must pretend to be Theseus’s friend, Philostrate, in order to be near you, Emily. Can’t you see I am dying for love of you!’ Until he heard these words, Palamon had not recognised Arcite. Now, he stepped out furiously from his hiding place. ‘Arcite, you villain! You still love my lady? Give her up, or I will kill you with my bare hands*!’
Philostrate is also the name of the servant instructed to organise the entertainment for Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding in Shakespeare’s play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Palamon escapes from prison and, hiding in the bushes, hears Arcite talking to himself.
advisor a person who gives advice scattered separated, in different places bare hands with just your hands 31
CHECK IT OUT
Listening – True or False 1 Listen to track 3 and decide if the statements you hear are True (T) or False (F).
3
1 Theseus was a very successful ruler. 2 Theseus took Arcite and Palamon back to Athens because he was concerned for them. 3 The cousins saw Emily at the same time. 4 Their feelings for Emily united the cousins. 5 Theseus was happy to release Arcite from prison. 6 Both cousins thought their situation was worse than each other’s. 7 Arcite deliberately changed his appearance when he returned to Thebes. 8 Theseus thought of Philostrate as a friend. 9 Palamon managed to escape on his own. 10 Talking to himself in the woods, Arcite was happy to think Palamon was still in prison.
T F
Vocabulary – Activating Words 2 Write a sentence about each of the pictures using a word from the box. traitor
scatter
1
3 32
fuming
beg
weep
2
4
5
DEVELOPING SPOT ON GRAMMAR CRITICAL THINKING
Wish + past simple/past continuous
is used to express a hypothetical present.
Remember! After I, he/she/it we use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’
Wish for the Present 1
Match the pairs of the sentences – wish + 1 d Arcite is very unhappy. He … 2
Palamon wishes he were free. He …
3
I want to go to go for a walk. I …
4
She has a headache. She …
5
I wish I were rich. I …
6
I’m afraid. I …
a b c d e f
wish it weren’t raining. would buy a big house. wish we weren’t lost. wishes he were dead. wishes the film weren’t so loud. wants to marry Emily.
Vocabulary – Adverbs 2
Which one is different? sharply
madly
reluctantly
friendly
1
happily
angry
luckily
noisily
2
well
real
hard
fast
3
delicately
completely
gently
fiercely
4
publicly
basically
automatically
tragically
5
yearly
often
monthly
frequently
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FOCUS ON YOUR EXAMS
Reading Comprehension INVALSI
Read the sections in the Dossier about Chaucer’s writings and The Canterbury Tales. Then choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for the questions. 1 Following the invasion by the Normans, French became
A B C D
the language everyone spoke. the language of the ruling class. the language used in church. the most popular language.
2 Chaucer owes much of his fame to
A B C D
the quality of the things he wrote. his choice of English as the language to write in. his skill as a writer. his powerful friends.
3 He wrote his first poem
A B C D
for someone’s wife. about someone’s wife. about his own wife. for his own wife.
4 Parliament of Fouls showed that Chaucer
A B C D
had read the works of other great writers. was influenced by politics. thought St Valentine’s Day was a dream. had a heavy style of writing.
5 The Canterbury Tales
A B C D
was Chaucer’s first work in English. was finished in 1400. was about Canterbury. is the book most people know.
6 It shows that Chaucer
A B C D 34
knew a lot of people. decided not to finish the book. was able to describe people well. did not get to Canterbury.
THINK ON! 21st Century Skills
Speaking – Up to You! 1
Read the questions, then say what you think. Discuss them with a partner. 1 The old lady spoke of the Wheel of Fortune. Do you think there is such a thing? Can you think of any examples that would support this idea? 2 Arcite complains about his fate. Are we masters of our own lives or is everything already decided? 3 Arcite says we do not know what we really want. Do you agree? Do you have any personal examples?
PowerPoint 2
In Chaucer’s times there were no rules about war, but in the 19th century, the Geneva Convention was introduced. Look online to find out more about: • when it was introduced, and why • how it has changed over the last two centuries
35
FINAL TEST
Reading Comprehension – Names of the Characters 1 Who am I? Write the correct name of each character. 1 I would tell you anything for money.
_________________
2 I first saw my love picking flowers.
_________________
3 I waited a very long time to get married.
_________________
4 My husband went abroad.
_________________
5 I am ugly but wise and have special powers.
_________________
6 I never disagree with my husband.
_________________
7 I enjoy drinking and gambling.
_________________
8 I can climb trees.
_________________
9 I used magic to get what I wanted.
_________________
10 My husband is old and jealous.
_________________
11 I accepted what the gods wanted.
_________________
Wordsearch 2 Find words which mean the following in the grid below: the words can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal or back-to-front. 1 A little red. 2 I can be big or small but there’s always a space. 3 You should change me when you change your sheets. 4 Worried. 5 Pull something heavy. 6 If you betray me you are a __________ . 7 A lion makes this noise. 8 Decide on a date,
for example. 9 My husband has died. 10 I’m very educated.
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P A G T V B X T X R
A I E I E W Y R A E
T B L B Y I Z A B D
R E M L D D Z I C D
O F X K O O O T C I
U S I N G W P O G S
B S F N R Q C R J H
L U S C H O L A R K
E O M A J R A L S U
D R A G A R N R M E
Reading FIRST
3
You are going to read an article about medieval knights. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose the one which fits each gap from sentences A-G. There is one extra sentence which you do not need.
ers. They were so d in the poor villag ste ere int so we Why are t people wanted to be knights? violent tha stories of medieval ent that rid of them. What is it they repres , the idea started to lives, still In response rn de mo r ou in , we ghts needed a sort (1) _____ form that kni ___ ___ ___ g? alin pe . find ap sional code of conduct ople, the of profes ur no Surely, for some pe ho ct, spe (4) ______________. Re a man so romantic notion of ous devotion were an a lady that and religi h wit e lov in sly les pe ho part of it. ke acts of important he is willing to underta tion of (5) ______________. Protec votion, in n is great courage and de me wo fenceless hand, also poor, de c of an attempt to win her isti ter often seen as a charac rt. pa its (6) ys pla t. ______________. ghts a good knigh kni t, fac In (2) __ ___ ___ ______ women could be soldiers in Ordinary were no more than for fun. chased and attacked t the heavy armour. tha truth is showed Sadly, the (3) ______________. They we think of today oying knights that str de tly len vio , rcy no me ted by 19th writers. d killing were inven villages, attacking an
A Perhaps it is the idea of their nobility and honour. B While this may be true, it was only for wealthy or high-born ladies. C However, were they really like this? D There is no agreement on what a knight was. E This code developed as time went on. F In addition, knights developed their own individual set of values. G They were tied to their lords and fought their battles. 105
FINAL TEST
Use of English FIRST
4
Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0). Chaucer for the first time old I was sixteen years ______________ when I was (1)______________ introduced to Chaucer at school. I remember our English teacher translating a long passage for us line (2)______________ line. He had to do (3)______________ because much of the Middle English made no (4)______________ to us. We all wrote down the translation (5) ______________ that we could then study it and be able to translate a passage ourselves in an exam. I cannot honestly (6)______________ I developed a love for either Chaucer or the Canterbury Tales (7) ______________ that experience., However, as an adult, I returned to (8) ______________ work and enjoyed it much more.
Writing 5
You see this announcement in a school magazine. Write your review in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
S WA NTED W IE V E R K we BOO soon, and
g k is comin of books to Book wee as e e fresh id want som cently read. nything re rite a d a re u Have yo mend? W ould recom w u t the o y t a th ining wha la p x e , w ie joyed it us a rev hy you en w t, u o b a mend it book is uld recom o w u o y y and wh ublished. s will be p w ie v re st e The b
106
Listening FIRST 12
6 You will hear a radio programme about the history of printing and books. Complete questions 1-10 with a word or short phrase. 1 When the first book was printed depends on what you
______________ a book. 2 In Korea, they printed a document in the ______________ century. 3 The Chinese produced a scroll by ______________ pieces of paper. 4 The scroll was 16 ______________ . 5 The blocks used were made ______________ . 6 People had to be able to ______________ the blocks so that they
could be reused. 7 When printing started in Europe, progress ______________ . 8 Wooden blocks were replaced by ______________ . 9 The first book printed in English was printed in ______________,
not England. 10 Printed in ______________ , The Canterbury Tales was the first
book printed in English in England.
Speaking – Pair Work 7 Discuss these questions with a partner. 1 Is there a period in history that you are particularly interested in? Why? 2 Who do you most admire from Italian history? Why? Where did you learn about him/her? 3 If you could travel back in time to witness an event, meet a historical figure, or solve an ancient mystery, where, who or what would you choose?
107
FINAL TEST
Reading Comprehension Esame di Stato
8
Read the text. Are the statements below true (T), false (F) or not stated (NS)? Living longer In medieval times, the average life expectancy for a new-born baby was thirty years. However, if a child survived into adulthood, they had a good chance of living to about forty-five. The main reason for the lower expectancy at birth was, of course, childhood illnesses. Perhaps surprisingly, the situation did not improve very much over the next few centuries, and by 1800, the life expectancy in Britain was only approximately forty. Despite industrialisation and modernisation, it was not until the late Victorian age that it reached fifty, and fifty-five in the early twentieth century. It has really been the last hundred years that have seen the most significant increases. Undoubtedly, Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928 and other medical advances have played a huge part, together with improved diet and living conditions. Today, we can look forward to enjoying our old age well into our 80s. Source of data: James Riley and the United Nations Population Division
T
108
1
Children in medieval times could hope to live until the age of forty-five.
2
The most dangerous period in a person’s life was the earliest years.
3
The Victorians actively tried to improve living conditions.
4
The writer seems to think that advances in the Victorian age to have increased life expectancy more significantly.
5
One of the major contributors to increased life expectancy was the introduction of penicillin.
F
NS
Writing Task – an Essay 9 Despite living longer and the advances in science and technology which make our lives easier, people are not as happy now as they were in the past.
Discuss this statement in a 300-word essay. Support your ideas by referring to your readings and/or to your personal experience.
Listening INVALSI 13
10 Listen to a number of people talking about crime and punishment. While listening, match the speaker (1-6) with their statements below (A-H). There is one extra statement that you should not use. The first one has been done for you. 0
Example
Q1
Speaker 1
Q2
Speaker 2
Q3
Speaker 3
Q4
Speaker 4
Q5
Speaker 5
Q6
Speaker 6
G
A
There are excessive delays before trials today.
B
We could learn something from the past and improve our lives today.
C
A scientific approach should be used.
D
Prisoners are treated too well nowadays.
E
An eye for an eye style punishment is right.
F
Past punishments were too severe.
G
Punishment needs to be tough.
H
Social media can be dangerous. 109
DRAMA In this scene from The Merchant’s Tale, January and May go into the walled garden, and May makes sure that Damian goes ahead of them. (Blind and reaching for May) January: Let’s go to my special garden. It is such nice weather, and I feel like spending some time alone with you there. May: Of course, husband, just as you please. Indicates with her head to Damian that he should go ahead of them. Damian is a little slow but then understands what she means and runs off to get to the garden first. May slowly guides January out of the castle and towards the garden. She waits until Damian has opened the gate and gone in. May: Husband, here we are at the gate. Have you got the key? January: Yes, my love. Help me, and I will unlock the gate. January makes some attempts to insert the key and fails. May raises her eyes upwards, impatient. Finally, January manages to open it, and in they go. January: Here we are, my love. Ah! Smell those flowers! May: Hmm! Lovely! She leads January to a seat a little way from where she saw Damian disappear behind a bush. January: Let’s sit here awhile, my love. I feel a little tired. They sit in silence for a bit and January starts to fall asleep. May: Husband, I have a desire for fruit. Stay here while I pick some. January is nearly asleep and manages only to nod his head. May walks off towards the bushes and Damian. She looks back at January who is sleeping and snoring. Damian steps out. Damian: Oh, my love! My heart’s desire! At last, we are together! I have waited so long to hold you! May: We must be quick, my love! My husband could wake and call me back at any minute. Damian: Then come, let me kiss you!
110
May moves into Damian’s arms. They both sigh with happiness. Just as they are about to kiss, January wakes up, looks confused and rubs his eyes. January: Oh, my dear wife! I can’t believe it! My eyesight is restored! Come, let me look at you! May to Damian: I don’t believe it! That’s all we need! Quick! Hide before he sees you! Damian: Curses! Damian dives into the bushes, and May rushes towards January. January looks around but cannot see May. Then he sees a movement by the bushes. May: Husband, what excellent news! May the Lord be blessed! Looking suspicious January: What was that I saw, wife? Was it a man in the bushes? May: A man? Your eyes must be playing tricks on you. I assure you we are alone. Damian meanwhile has climbed up into a pear tree. January doesn’t believe her and starts to search the bushes. Damian: Ouch! January: What was that? May: It was only me, husband. I hurt my finger on a bush. She looks up at the tree and puts a finger to her lips to silence Damian. January searches the bushes from top to bottom. January: I’m sure he was here! He moves a bush to one side, but there is nobody to see. May stands beside him patiently, her arms crossed. January: You are right, my dear. How foolish I am. It must have been a trick of light. May: You see, husband. You should trust me. January: I do, my sweet. I am quite tired now. Let’s return to the castle. May: Very well, husband. May leads January out of the garden and looks back briefly at the tree. May: We can come back another time. Damian blows her a kiss. 111
MY BOOK My favourite character is ____________________________________________ because ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ The moment I like best is when _______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ I can’t stand ________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ because ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ I like/don’t like the story because ______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ I’ll remember _______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________