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Chaucer... help?!?

Hey,
we’re doing Chaucer at the minute and I have no clue what I actually need to know (our teacher is basically just reciting it at us). Does anyone have any advice or guidance? I honestly have no clue what I’m doing and when I tell her this she just keeps reciting, occasionally forming an analogy.

Reply 1

Eve Rose

Have you tried looking at 'translations' online? Or plot summaries? They're good to get the foundations of it.
I assume it's the Canterbury Tales, and if so, which 'Tale'?

Reply 2

MiniMunchkin555

Original post by Eve Rose

Have you tried looking at 'translations' online? Or plot summaries? They're good to get the foundations of it.
I assume it's the Canterbury Tales, and if so, which 'Tale'?

It’s the result of Januaries wedding currently (him talking about how he’s going to be “too much” for her). I think I might just give up on her and sit and translate it 😂😂

Reply 3

BlueIndigoViolet

Don't do english a level/gcse, do you read the Middle English text???

Reply 4

Eve Rose

I'd offer to help but I've only done the Miller's Tale :frown:

I'm sure there'll be something online, but that's so frustrating that she won't just...explain it?

Reply 5

MiniMunchkin555

Don’t worry I found the Harvard translation and it’s brill! Thank you chick xx

Reply 6

emilydarkin

Ahh I'm doing the same as you. :frown:

What I've been looking at (other than the literal translations of the the poem) is different themes, like the presentation/treatment of women, deception Vs reality, relationship between tale and teller etc.

Then, you need to find context (A03) to help support your argument: usually has something to do with a patriarchal society where women are seen to be of a lower-status than men -that's always a good one to mention at some point... Then, you need to know critics (A05). I usually get mine off Quizlet because people find them and put them on there so they've pretty much done the hard part for you! :smile:

Chaucer is hard to get your head round, but for my exam, it's open-book so I don't really need to memorise loads of quotes. Not sure if you'll be the same tho? x