The Miller’s Tale

Warm-Up You will work in groups of 3 to make posters. On your posters, you will answer the

following question: What qualities are in a good husband? What qualities are in a bad husband.

Create a T chart- as seen on the next page. This does NOT have to be in complete

sentences. Create a LIST.

Good Husband

1.

2.

3.

Bad Husband

1.

2.

3.

Warm-Up Question 2 Think about your relationships. Write a

paragraph about either a good relationship or a bad relationship. Why was it good or bad? How do you know?

This can be a relationship with a loved one, girl friend/boyfriend, or a friend.

Make your responses at least FIVE SENTENCES

Pay attention to Capitalization—the focus.

Prologue The Miller is very drunk during a

confrontation in the prologue

The Miller Look at the Miller in the prologue. What

type of tale might he use? Complete the worksheet!

What type/ explanation

Tale Types Exemplum-Allegorical type of writing to teach a

lesson Lorax

Fabliaux: short bawdy humorous story Simpsons

Romance: story of love Cinderella

Sermons: lesson of holy life Reading from the bible or other book2 brothers

Beast Fable: story that personifies animals Animal Farm

Saints’ lives: story about a saint Story about the Pope

Comprehension Question Who is supposed to tell the next tale

after the Knight?

What is the Host’s attitude about social class?

Comprehension Question Who interrupts and offers to tell the

tale?

What condition is he in?

Comprehension Question What tale does the Miller say he is going

to tell?

Who will his main characters be?

Comprehension QuestionWhy does the Reeve object?

Look at the Reeve in the General Prologue on page 159.

Comprehension Question What is Nicholas Like?

Comprehension Question Do you think that age is appropriate in a

relationship?

Comprehension Question What is Alison like?

Absalon He likes to look at the ladies and swings

the incense around to get a peek! Who is he like in the Prologue?

Discussion Question Do nice guys finish last? Why or why

not? Is it the same for girls?

Discussion Cuckold—cheated on Men—okay to sleep around Why is there a double standard? Women in modern day: Much of the

same ex. Duke Controversy

Alison: Who Should She Choose? Pretend that you are Alison. On your graphic organizer, describe the

3 men who love her. What are they like? What are their

benefits? What are their pitfalls?

Who would you pick? Would you pick no one? Why? Be specific!

Alison Chose… Nicholas!

Was she correct? Why?

Comprehension Question What does Nick convince the Carpenter

is going to happen?

Comprehension Question Nick’s Plan The Coming of a Flood Get tubs to float to safety

Does Alison Know?

Comprehension Question Why is Nick able to convince the

carpenter?

Courting Girls, how would you want to be

courted? Absalon—courting by courtly love. What does he do?

Comprehension Question How does Absalon get tricked?

What does the beard mean?

Comprehension Question How does Absalon get revenge?

What happens to the carpenter?

Discussion What were the punishments of

everyone?

Does everyone get what he/she deserves?

Character End Result Deserved

Carpenter Cuckold/ lunatic YES/ NO

Nicholas Outed/ Burned on his end “literally”

YES/ NO

Absalon

Alison

Kissed a butt

Married to the town idiot/ whore

YES/ NO

YES/NO

Now that you have read… What type of tale did he use? How does

it represent his character.

Closing What lesson does each of the characters

represent?

How does each character poke fun at a character in the prologue/ who does each character make fun of?