For your first discussion assignment you will identify at least three examples of satire from your reading of The Canterbury Tales and provide an explanation of the use of satire. Examine the type of satire Chaucer used and what he hoped to communicate to his reader through the use of satire.

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anonymous · Answer

I am willing to help but don't you have to read the book to know what is going on?

anonymous · Answer

No, I do online classes and they don't supply anything

anonymous · Answer

Ohh....  I found this

anonymous · Answer

A lot of the descriptions are satiric, like the high powered lawyer who "seemed busier than he was" or the Prioress who kept pet dogs (which would be against the rules), and wore a pin with the romantic slogan "love conquers all" in Latin. And why was she travelling with such a large entourage, including three priests. 

Many of Chaucer's descriptions can be taken at face value as the writings of an innocent, naive observer, but Chaucer was a very savvy man of the world, and his subtle satire is really, really, good. Presenting it as naive observation sometimes forces you to think, wait a sec, that doesn't sound like something that character should be saying or doing, what's going on here? 

How about the religious person who wouldn't have anything to do with sick or poor people? Or the cook with running sores on his legs--yuck! 

Chaucer is represented on the pilgrimage by someone who only knows a poem of the worst imaginable doggerel, so monotonous that the Host cuts him off, saying it's not worth a turd. Chaucer was an incredibly talented poet, so he satirizes himself sharply. 

Everywhere you looks, except for a few positive presentations like the Knight and the Parson, are chock full of satire and humor. So sorry you couldn't connect with that. It's a very involved, detailed, entertaining and humorous work.

kohai · Answer

Please close the question if you no longer need help :)