Chaucer Review Quiz: The Prioress

1. The Prioress' name is

Madame de Gaulle

Madame Eglantyne

Madame Bovary

Madame Bovine

Madame de Farge

The correct answer is Madame Eglantyne. The Prioress' name is not Madame de Gaulle, Madame Bovary, Madame Bovine, or Madame de Farge. Madame Eglantyne is the correct answer because it is the only name listed that could potentially be the name of a Prioress.

Explanation

The correct answer is Madame Eglantyne. The Prioress' name is not Madame de Gaulle, Madame Bovary, Madame Bovine, or Madame de Farge. Madame Eglantyne is the correct answer because it is the only name listed that could potentially be the name of a Prioress.

2. The narrator's comment that "She spoke French daintily, after the school of Stratford-Atte-Bowe/French in the Paris style she did not know" is designed to indicate that

The Prioress did not speak French very well

The Prioress was fluent in French.

The Prioress was an accomplished linguist.

The Prioress liked French food.

The Prioress wore French clothing.

Since Stratford is in England, her speaking French in this style indicates at the very least a poor French accent.

Explanation

Since Stratford is in England, her speaking French in this style indicates at the very least a poor French accent.

3. To whom and about whom is this hymn composed?

Jesus

God

St. Francis

The Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Monica

The hymn's name translated means "Sweetness of the Redeemer," a clear reference to Jesus' mother the BVM.

Explanation

The hymn's name translated means "Sweetness of the Redeemer," a clear reference to Jesus' mother the BVM.

4. Who tries to kill the boy for singing the hymn?

Vikings

Saxons

Normans

Teutons

Jews

The anti-Semitism of the story may be part of Chaucer's overall portrait of the lady: supposedly a person of charity and compassion, she nonetheless tells a tale whose violence and prejudice underscore the hypocritical nature that Chaucer is trying to portray.

Explanation

The anti-Semitism of the story may be part of Chaucer's overall portrait of the lady: supposedly a person of charity and compassion, she nonetheless tells a tale whose violence and prejudice underscore the hypocritical nature that Chaucer is trying to portray.

5. In the Prioress's Tale, what hymn does the boy enjoy hearing and singing?

O Alma Redemptoris

O Salutaris

Tantum Ergo

O Tannenbaum

O Sanctissima

Repeated a number of times in the story.

Explanation

Repeated a number of times in the story.

6. The overall impression that the narrator's description of the Prioress in the GP creates is that

She is a holy woman

She is a good prioress

She is kindly and charitable

She is pretty much a fake

She is arrogant and proud

Note all the put-downs and the use of verbs like "seem" and "counterfeit."

Explanation

Note all the put-downs and the use of verbs like "seem" and "counterfeit."

7. In the "General Prologue," the narrator implies that the Prioress is

Short

Tall

Somewhat heavyset

Rather slender

Aerobically fit

"she was by no means undergrown"

Explanation

"she was by no means undergrown"

8. The Prioress's bracelet is made of

Gaudies

Silver

Jade

Ivory

Coral

The rosary "gaudies" are green and likely jade; the bracelet is coral, emphasizing the lady's wealth.

Explanation

The rosary "gaudies" are green and likely jade; the bracelet is coral, emphasizing the lady's wealth.