DIRECTIONS: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING qUESTIONS IN YOUR ...

SBALThe Miller’s TaleMrs. KavourisDirections: Answer the following questions In yournotebook. You may also turn in a printed page.Prologue to the Miller’s tale – we already answered thesein class!1. What does the Host mean by “the bag is open?”2. Who was Pilate, and what would his voice sound like?3. On whom does the Host originally call to tell the next tale?4. Why does the Miller end up telling his tale next?5. What does the Miller imply about the Reeve (Oswald)? What is a cuckold?6. To what two types of secrets should no husband try to find answers?7. What does the narrator remind the reader of before reporting the Miller’s story?the Miller’s tale1. Where and when is the story set?2. What are the “liberal arts?”3. What is the scholar’s favorite subject, and how does he use his skill?4. Summarize the scholar’s character, including the contrast between hisappearance (“as meek as a maiden”) and his actions—up to and including hisspending habits.5. How has the old carpenter broken Cato’s advice about marriage? Who wasCato?6. List the metaphors and similes that are used to describe the young wife.7. Summarize the young wife’s appearance and character as suggested by herdescription.8. What is “the Tower?”

SBALThe Miller’s TaleMrs. Kavouris9. In the end, what does the young wife agree to? On what condition?10. Who is St. Thomas of Kent?11. Who is Absalom? Describe him briefly.12. What is St. Paul’s?13. With whom is Absalom most in love? Explain the cat-and-mouse reference.14. What does Absalom claim prevents him from taking money from the wives inthe village? Do you believe him? Why or why not?15. Who is Alison? John?16. Describe Absalom’s lovesickness and its effect on him.17. List Absalom’s methods for wooing, and describe the Miller’s views on howpeople are won.18. Why doesn’t Absalom stand a chance?19. Describe Nicholas’ actions on Saturday and Sunday as he puts his plan intoaction. What does the servant boy see when he looks into Nicholas’ room?20. To what does John attribute Nicholas’ state?21. What actions does John take to “save” Nicholas?22. What secret does Nicholas confide to John? What punishment will John face ifhe tells anyone?23. Who “harrowed hell?”24. What advice does Nicholas give to John in order to save the three of them?25. What is Nicholas suggesting by mentioning Noah’s wife?26. Why must there be no speaking or contact between them on the night of the“flood?” (According to the text AND in reality)27. What motivates John to prepare so carefully and quickly? Why is this ironic, inthe Miller’s opinion?

SBALThe Miller’s TaleMrs. Kavouris28. How did John sleep on that Monday night, and why?29. What do Nicholas and Alison do once the carpenter is asleep?30. When Absalom thinks that John is out of town, what does he plan to do?31. What is a “sign of kissing?” What sort of “banquet” do you think he has inmind?32. Describe Absalom’s preparations for visiting John’s house.33. How does Alison react to Absalom’s confession of love?34. Explain what Absalom and Alison agree to, and how she “pays” him.35. What effect does Alison’s joke have on Absalom? What action does he take?36. What happens after Nicholas opens the window?37. How do Nicholas and Alison explain the unusual events to the neighbors?38. Relate the description of the Miller in the General Prologue to the tale he tells.How is the tale just what you might expect of the Miller? How is it surprising?39. What is the theme of “The Miller’s Tale,” and how is this meaning shaded byyour knowledge of the Miller’s character?