Middle Ages Formative

The Canterbury Tales is considered a literary masterpiece of the Middle Ages because it is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century. It is notable for its diverse range of characters and its depiction of medieval society. The tales cover a wide range of themes and genres, including romance, comedy, and morality. Chaucer's use of vernacular English in the tales also contributed to its importance in the development of English literature.

Geoffrey Chaucer is the most famous author of the Middle Ages because of his significant contributions to English literature, particularly his masterpiece "The Canterbury Tales". Chaucer's work revolutionized the literary landscape of the time, as he wrote in Middle English, making his works accessible to a broader audience. His storytelling skills, vivid characters, and social commentary made him a celebrated author during the Middle Ages and continue to be influential today.

The invention of the printing press led to an increased literacy rate. Before the printing press, books were handwritten and expensive, making them inaccessible to the majority of the population. However, with the printing press, books became more affordable and widely available. This increased access to knowledge and education, leading to a rise in literacy rates as more people were able to learn to read and write.

The Norman Invasion of England in 1066 led to the introduction of the feudal system. William the Conqueror, the Norman leader, implemented this system to solidify his control over the newly conquered territory. Feudalism was a hierarchical social structure where land was granted in exchange for loyalty and military service. It allowed the Normans to exert control over the English population and establish a centralized authority. This significant consequence of the invasion drastically changed the social, political, and economic landscape of England.

The Crusades, a series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages, had a significant consequence of increasing interest in exploration. The Crusades exposed Europeans to new cultures, ideas, and goods from the East, sparking curiosity and a desire to explore further. This led to the Age of Exploration, during which European explorers sought new trade routes, discovered new lands, and expanded their knowledge of the world. The Crusades played a crucial role in stimulating this interest in exploration and setting the stage for future discoveries and expeditions.

The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death, had a significant consequence of causing the collapse of the feudal system. The plague resulted in a massive loss of life, which led to a shortage of labor and a decline in agricultural production. This, in turn, weakened the power of the feudal lords and disrupted the hierarchical structure of society. As a result, peasants gained more freedom and were able to demand better working conditions and wages. The collapse of the feudal system ultimately paved the way for the rise of capitalism and the emergence of a new social order.

The Prioress sang through her nose in church suggests that the Prioress had a nasal voice when singing during church services. This implies that she may not have had the most pleasant singing voice.
The Prioress wanted to appear educated and elegant implies that the Prioress made an effort to present herself as cultured and refined. This suggests that she valued education and sophistication.

The folk ballad is a form of oral literature that is passed down through generations by word of mouth. It typically tells a story and often includes tragic or sordid details to evoke emotions in the listener. The use of allegory is not a characteristic of the folk ballad.

Romances of the Middle Ages often feature a hero who meets a test and goes on a quest. These characteristics are commonly found in this genre of literature. The hero meeting a test refers to the protagonist facing challenges or obstacles that they must overcome in order to achieve their goal. The hero going on a quest refers to the journey or adventure undertaken by the protagonist in search of something valuable or significant. These elements of testing the hero's abilities and embarking on a quest are key components of the romance genre during the Middle Ages.

The Canterbury Tales is written in Middle English, which was the common language spoken in England during the 14th century. It is not written in Old English, which was used from the 5th to the 11th century. The text is also written in couplets, which are pairs of rhymed lines. However, there is no information provided about whether it was written in Latin or quatrains, so we cannot determine if those statements are true or false.

The folk ballad is a type of ballad that is typically written in quatrains, which are stanzas consisting of four lines. It often focuses on a hero who embarks on a quest, which adds to the narrative and storytelling aspect of the ballad. The ballad also tends to have a legacy, as it is passed down through generations and becomes a part of a community's cultural heritage. The ABCB rhyme scheme is commonly used in folk ballads, where the second and fourth lines of each quatrain rhyme. Additionally, repetition and question and answer format are commonly employed in folk ballads to engage the audience and create a rhythmic and memorable effect.

Everyman is a moral play that was produced by the Church. It is written in couplets, which are pairs of rhyming lines, and it serves as an allegory. An allegory is a literary device in which characters and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. These characteristics make Everyman a unique and significant piece of literature that conveys moral lessons through its religious themes and storytelling techniques.