Insert Yourself Into "The General Prologue"
Some people think it's hard to write in Middle English (just because no one has spoken it in 500 years!).They might even be intimidated by the fact that Chaucer's "General Prologue" to the Canterbury Tales is written in blank verse couplets (pairs of iambic pentameter lines that rhyme). What they don't realize is how EASY it is to plagiarize Chaucer, change a few words here and there, and wind up describing yourself! When you are done, click here to send your masterpiece to the whole class on the list serve.
For example, Chaucer wrote this:
A good Wyf was ther of bisyde BATHE
But she was somedel deef, and that was scathe
(There was a good wife from near Bath
But she was a little deaf, and that was too bad)
Stealing from this description, and from the Miller's and the Clerk's, with liberal modifications, I came up with this self-description.
A good Wyf was ther of bisyde Marin,
But she was somdel loud, and that was sinne.
We coude she sing of bookes that she found;
I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound!
And if hir clerkes slepen whan she preche
Hir bookes she yaf a newe way to teche
That proved wel, for she wold heve them far
To knock the heed of any thikke knarre.
Aristotle's werks she loved best,
Though gladly wold she teche all the rest.
I'm sure you can do better! Here are some choice lines you might want to adapt:
- A lovyere, and a lusty bacheler (80)
- Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse (82)
- The Millere was a stout carl for the nonnes,
Ful big he was of brawn, and eek of bones (545-6) - He sleep namore than dooth a nightengale (98)
- For hardily she was nat undergrowe (156) (fat)
- Ful longe were his legges, and ful lene,
Y-lyk a staf; than was no calf y-sene. (591-2) (skinny) - Saucefleem he was, with eyen narwe (685) (Bad complexion, with beady eyes)
- In al this world ne was ther noon him lyk (412) (Unique!)
Bear in mind that you want to make your lines sound as much like Chaucer as possible.
- Write in iambic pentameter (x / x / x / x / x /)
- Frequently there is an extra syllable at the end of the line
Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse (the final "e" of "gesse" is pronounced)
- The most common variation involves reversing the stress on the first foot
(x / becomes / x)
Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyve (She had five husbands)
- You need to remember to rhyme lines in groups of two (couplets).
But notice that Chaucer pronounces all the consonants and vowels, and he also varies the iambic pentameter ryhthm.
Send your completed self to description to the class by clicking here. Have fun and Good Luck!
Address questions or comments about
TEP or this site to:
Georgeanne Cooper, Program Director,
64 PLC
Phone: 541-346-2177 Fax: 541-346-2184
© Copyright 2000-2006 Teaching Effectiveness Program, University of Oregon.
Last Modified:
05/22/08
