· web viewaccording to some barriers which students may experience in terms of vocabulary –...

ENL3513

English Literature

ANANTACHAI AEKA

Department of Humanities

Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

PREFACE

The teaching material for the course ENL 3513 English Literature I has been compiled from various texts mainly based on The Norton Anthology of English Literature, which has been used by most universities and colleges throughout the world, in particular, ones offer English and English Literature major.

According to some barriers which students may experience in terms of vocabulary – some are in original form; interpretation; and cultural background, thorough explanation and background discussion are modified. Most selections, lectures and discussions in classes are simplified to help students understand the core circumstance of each reading. In addition, certain activities, research and presentation are also assigned, for example, the life and works of author surveyed in the course, the Shakespeare’s works, and other English authors.

The material has got very kind suggestions and supports from a lot of persons. I would like to express my sincere heartfelt gratitude to Asst. Prof. Charassri Sriphirom - my long-term friend and sister; Assoc. Prof. Nuchanat Handumrongkul – my boss and back-up support; friends, colleagues and students from Business English Program and English Program for offering me the opportunity, and my instructors from Western Carolina University and Srinakrinwirot University, Patumwan for cultivating my knowledge and experience.

I hope the material can benefit students and some those who are enthusiastic in learning and surveying the English Literature.

Anantachai Aeka

Content

Page

Preface

Pictures index

Course description and TQF 3

Instructional Management for Part 1

Part 1: The Early Renaissance

1.1 Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. 1343-1400)

The Canterbury Tales

After reading activities

1.2 Sir Thomas More (1478-1535)

Utopia


Summary


Part 2: Elizabethan era

2.1 Edmund Spenser (1552-1599)

The Shepherds Calendar


2.2 Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love


2.3 William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)

The Phoenix and the Turtle

When, in Disgrace with Fortune and Men’s Eyes

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?


Summary


Part 3: Jacobean period, Late Renaissance & Augustan

3.1 John Milton (1608-1674)

When I Consider How My Light Is Spent


3.2 John Dryden (1631-1700)

Annus Mirabilis (London Reborn)


3.3 Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

The Universal Prayer


Summary


Part 4: Romanticism

4.1 William Blake (1757-1827)

To the Evening Star After reading activities

4.2 Robert Burns (1759-1796)

A Red, Red Roses

Auld Lang Syne


4.3 William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud


4.4 Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

Sonnet to the River Otter

The Eolian Harp


Summary

Biography

Content of Pictures

FigurePage

1.1 Geoffrey Chaucer2

1.2 Troilus and Criseyde4

1.3 The Canterbury Tale6

1.4 The Knight7

1.5 The Squire8

1.6 The Yeomen9

1.7 The Prioress10

1.8 The Second Nun11

1.9 The Three Priests11

1.10 The Monk12

1.11 The Friar13

Course Specification

ENL 3513 English Literature

English Program: Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences

Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Semester 2: 2016 Academic Year

Section 1: General Information

1.Course code and title:

Code:ENL3513

Title:English Literature

2.Number of credits: 3 (3-0-6)

3.Program and Course Categories

3.1 Curriculum:B.A. (English)

3.2 Category:Elective course

4. Course coordinator / lecturer: Anantachai Aeka

5.Contact: Bldg. 27

6.Semester / year of study

6.1 Semester: 2nd semester / fourth year

6.2 Maximum enrollment: 100

7.Pre-requisite (if any): No

8.Co-requisites (if any): -

9.Location: Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

10.Date of course initiation or last update of course details: Dec. 2016

Section 2: Purposes and Objectives

1.Purposes of the course:

To develop English potentials and culture understanding, in particular, in terms of applying literature for international communication and other related fields in 21st digital era

2.Objectives of course development/modifications:

To enhance students to apply English as a tool for their future career, with concentration on reading comprehension and interpretation, including the practice on doing basic research beneficial for works or furthering study

Section 3: Description and Implementation

1. Course Description:

This course is a survey of English literature from Middle English to the Romantic Period, emphasis overall on the Elizabethan and Romantic periods, relating the influences of each period to its literary achievements

2.Number of hours per semester

Lecture

Practice

Field trip/Internship

Self-study

48 hours / semester

Lesson and exercise in class; website according to the students’ interests

6 hours / week

3. Number of hours per week for academic guidance to individual students

3.1 Personal and individual appointment is available upon requested; Office hour for consulting is identified in class

3.2 MP: 081834XXXX

Section 4: Learning Outcomes Development

1. Morals and ethics

1.1 Morals and Ethics to be developed

- Discipline, punctuality and responsibility for oneself and society

- Cultivation on honesty with concentration on self-awareness in terms of creativity and contribution to the public

- Promotion on reading and life-long learning

1.2 Teaching methods

- Experience and authentic situation application

- Practice on international social manner and etiquette and the acceptance on differences

1.3 Evaluation

- Class attendance and behavior

- Accuracy on report / presentation references

- Outcome of assignments

2.Knowledge

2.1 Expected knowledge

English proficiency in English literature appreciation overall, with focus on how to apply it to real life and future work, beginning from general background, language, and socio-economic situation at the period of time specified


Lecture, discussion and case study

2.3 Evaluation

- Drill and practice at the end of each class and presentation

- Final test

3.Cognitive skills

3.1 Cognitive skills to be developed

Ability to develop and apply benefit found from the study, including vocabulary, style of writing, beliefs, attitudes, thoughts and culture


- Assignment and projects; case study

3.3 Evaluation

- Presentation

- Final test

4.Interpersonal skills and responsibility

4.1 Interpersonal skills and responsibility to be developed

- Skill development on relationship establishment amongst students

- Promotion on self-study learning, responsibility on assignments and on-time submission

- Promotion on expressing ideas, performances and creative thinking


- Encouragement on participation in classroom activities

- Stimulation on the recognition in terms of listening manner, class attendance and respect to other opinions

- Motivation on recognition and benefit of self-study

4.3 Evaluation

- Self evaluation

- Participatory observation

5. Numeric analysis, communication and information technology skills

5.1 Numeric analysis, communication and information technology skills to be developed

- Communicative skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing from different sources, and present and share on Facebook for academic exchange

- Information retrieval skills on website upon individual interests

- IT skills for communication; e.g. web-board, block

- Presentation skills with different styles, tools, and IT techniques


- Self-study assignment on website

- Assignment submission via CD portfolio

5.3 Evaluation

- Assignment and presentation via IT

- Discussion and comment on social media (Face book)

Section 5: Teaching and Evaluation Plan

1. Teaching Plan

Week

Items/Contents

No. of Hours

Teaching & learning activities/ TM

Lecturer

1

Course introduction; background review; The Early Renaissance3

3

Lecture and discussion; VDO

Anantachai Aeka

2 - 3

Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. 1343-1400); The Canterbury Tales

6

Lecture, discussion and presentation

4 - 5

Sir Thomas More (1478-1535); Utopia

6


6

Elizabethan Era: Edmund Spenser (1552-1599); The Shepherds Calendar

3

Lecture, discussion and presentation; VDO

7 - 8

Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593); The Passionate Shepherd to His Love; William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616); The Phoenix and the Turtle; When, in Disgrace with Fortune and Men’s Eyes; Shall I Compare Those Thee to a Summer’s Day?

6

Lecture, discussion and presentation ; VDO

9

Jacobean Period, Late Renaissance & Augustan: John Milton (1608-1674); When I Consider How My Light Is Spent; John Dryden (1631-1700); Annus Mirabilis (London Reborn)

Alexander Pope (1688-1744); The Universal Prayer

3

Lecture, discussion and presentation: VDO

10

Romanticism: William Blake (1757-1827); To the Evening Star

Robert Burns (1759-1796); A Red, Red Roses; Auld Lang Syne

3

Lecture, discussion and presentation: VDO

11

William Wordsworth (1770-1850); I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

6


12

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834); Sonnet to the River Otter; The Eolian Harp

6


13 - 16

Shakespeare's works Presentation

12

17

Final test

3

2. Evaluation plan

Items

Learning outcome*

Evaluation methods

Week

Percentage of Evaluation

1

- Presentation

- Project presentation

- Final

1 - 13

13 - 16

20

40

30

20

2

- Working on social media

All throughout the semester

5

3

- Class attendance

- Participation in discussion and sharing ideas

All throughout the semester

5

Section 6: Teaching Materials

1.Required textbooks and materials

Selected works from The Norton Anthology of English Literature by Abrams, Donaldson, Smith, Adams, Monk, Lipking, Ford, and Daiches

2.Other important materials and information

Websites assigned in class

3. Other recommended materials and information

Laurie G. Kirszner & Stephen R. Mandell, Literature: Third Edition, Harcourt Brace College Publishers: Fort Worth

C, Hugh Holman & William Harmon, A Handbook to Literature, 6th Edition, Macmillan Publishing Company: New York

Section 7: Course Evaluation and Improvement

1. Evaluation Strategies on course effectiveness by students

- Lecturer evaluation

- Suggestion and recommendation on social media

2. Teaching evaluation strategies

- Observation by team / program coordinator

- Learning outcome

- Review of learning outcome evaluation

3.Teaching Improvement

- Brain storming based on the outcome of item 2 to improve teaching and examine more information concerned

4. Review of students’ academic performance

- Form a committee to review the learning outcomes evaluation

- Review students’ scores and /or assignments

5. Course review and improvement plan

- Improve the course every 3-year cycle or on the recommendation identified in the 4th item

- Change or rotate lecturer in order to develop lecturer on student centered approach


Topics:

The Early Renaissance

Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales

Sir Thomas More

Utopia

Behavioral objectives:

1. Students can identify the meanings of vocabulary found in the works of Chaucer and More, in particular the second meanings, and can apply them to other situations.

2. Students can interpret and describe, express and share ideas towards the readings.

3. Students can examine and find the political issues as well as religion impacts towards the English society and the movements of those issues at that time.

4. Students can summarize important ideas, concepts and thoughts of the writers.

5. Students can criticize and compare what the two writers created and made the impacts and compare them to the same period of time in Thailand.

Instruction:

Lecture, discussion and watching videos

Activities:

1. Reading from the course materials provided

2. Study from the other overseas university website

3. Group discussion

4. Answer questions

Part 1: The Early Renaissance Literature

LET’S BEGIN

English literature begins with the Germanic tradition of the Anglo-Saxon settlers, having Beowulf stands as head.

This epic poem of the 8th century is in Anglo-Saxon, usually described as Old English. It is incomprehensible to a reader familiar only with modern English. Even so, there is a continuous linguistic development between the two. The most significant turning point, from about 1100, is the development of Middle English - differing from Old English in the addition of a French vocabulary after the Norman conquests. French and Germanic influences subsequently compete for the mainstream role in English literature.

The French poetic tradition inclines to lines of a regular metrical length, usually linked by rhyme into couplets or stanzas. German poetry depends more on rhythm and stress, with repeated consonants (alliteration) to bind the phrases. Elegant or subtle rhymes have a courtly flavor. The hammer blows of alliteration are a type of verbal athleticism more likely to draw applause in a hall full of warriors.

Both traditions achieve a magnificent flowering in England in the late 14th century, towards the end of the Middle English period. Piers Plowman and Sir Gawain are masterpieces which look back to Old English. By contrast Chaucer, a poet of the court, ushers in a new era of English literature.

Read more: http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=aa08#ixzz4Qn6BLsX7

Portrait of Geoffrey Chaucer

Born: 1343, London, UK

Died: October 25, 1400, London, UK

http://www.biography.com/people/geoffrey-chaucer

1.1: GEOFFREY CHAUCER

Originally, the power in the British Kingdom came from two tears of authority – the Kingdom and the Church. As a result, the society and the economy of the country were dominated by those two circles. The entire society consisted of only two groups of people – the elite or high class group, ones who were the royal members, the nobles, the church and those associate; and the low class group known as the commoners. However, times changed, the situations also changed. The marriage of Geoffrey Chaucer to the Queen’s cousin linked or narrowed the gap. It was the first time “Middle Class” appeared in the British society and continued since then.

Chaucer seemed to be an outstanding technocrat of that time. He possessed incompatible characters: good at academic, perspectives and long visions. His contribution towards the society came in many forms. One was his writing “The Canterbury Tales” can represent his qualifications obviously.

1.1.1 Read the following information of Chaucer and compare it with the presentation being presented in class.

The Rise of a Middle (or Merchant) Class https://masterworksbritlit.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/

Chaucer’s incredible career reflects the changing social and economic structures of England in the late 1300s. Before the 1300s, as I discussed, there were basically two classes. There was the Nobility, the wealthiest one or two percent of England, and there were the Serfs, everyone else.

As centuries passed, families began to pass on skills at trades and crafts they would pass on. By the time of the 12th into the 13th century, the products that peasants or serfs were able to make became a commodity for exchange. Instead of importing goods, or having certain products costume made expensively, aristocrats and nobility began to buy from and realize the benefit of trading with domestic and local merchants. Instead of enslaving the masses to maintain agriculture, those with money began to cultivate certain populations for the products and services they could offer. Particularly as trade between nations began to grow, London evolved into a bustling port.

This collapse in the two class society created a more mobile middle class that broke from agricultural serfdom, and began to find economic autonomy servicing the rich and, as time goes on, each other. By the time of Shakespeare, the popularity of theater was the result of a rapidly grown middle class that has some disposable income and a desire for leisure earned after a work week.

Chaucer grew up and lived during this expansion of a merchant class. Because his father served an important recreational function for the wealthy — wine distribution — he had connections through clients that allowed Chaucer entrance into a noble and aristocratic world.

As he worked his way up the ladder in the aristocratic and royal world of London (much like a young person working his way up the corporate ladder), Chaucer had access to and enjoyed many of the privileges of nobility. Importantly, he was not aristocracy, nobility or royalty. Evidence shows that he knew and fraternized with all of them, including three kings, but there were certain realms in which he would not be included, such as a Grammar School or University education. But, because of Chaucer’s work and access, and because class barriers allowed him to associate with all walks of life, he had exposure to a vast variety of humanity and experience, which is reflected in his writing, particularly The Canterbury Tales.

In short, he was a true social and literary Renaissance man many decades before the Renaissance itself settled in England.

1.1.2 Find out more information of Geoffrey Chaucer and then complete the table from the presentation of the assigned group.

Name

Geoffrey Chaucer

Birth

1340

Death

1400

Resting place

Wife

Children

Honor

Father of English Literature

Famous / Major work

Genre

Inspiration / Influenced by

Outstanding qualifications

Influences towards society

http://www.biography.com/people/geoffrey-chaucer

Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. The Norton Anthology: English Literature. Sixth Edition, vol. 1. Ed. Abrams, M.H. Norton & Company: New York, 1993. Pgs. 76-195.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 3rd Edition, Vol. 1; Ed. M.H. Abrams. W.W. Norton & Company Inc. New York, 1974. Pages 294-348

Websites:

“Chaucer, Geoffrey.” The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Columbia University Press, 2003. www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0811566.html. (18 March 2004).

Jokinen, Anniina. “Geoffrey Chaucer.” Anthology of Middle English Literature. 11 January 2004. http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/Chaucer.htm. (18 March 2004).

“The Canterbury Tales.” Geoffrey Chaucer. Librarius, 1997. http://www.librarius.com. (18 March 2004).

“The Life of Chaucer.” The Geoffrey Chaucer Page. 27 July 2000. http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/special/varia/life_of_ch/ch- life.html. (18 March 2004).

1.1.3 The following reading is a part of the most famous work of Chaucer, illustrating his poetic talent. The pictures of people in the society at his time were depicted, some were good – some were not. The poem was offered in old English language; however, the present language was paralleled presented. Compare those two versions and exchange your ideas in class. After finishing reading, do the after-class activity.

The Canterbury Tales: Prologue

Picture 4: The Cover of the Canterbury Tales Book

www.themarysue.com

Here bygynneth the Book of the tales of Caunterbury

Here begins the Bookof the Tales of Canterbury

1: Whan that aprill with his shoures soote2: The droghte of march hath perced to the roote,3: And bathed every veyne in swich licour4: Of which vertu engendred is the flour;5: Whan zephirus eek with his sweete breeth6: Inspired hath in every holt and heeth7: Tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne8: Hath in the ram his halve cours yronne,9: And smale foweles maken melodye,10: That slepen al the nyght with open ye11: (so priketh hem nature in hir corages);12: Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages,13: And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes,14: To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes;15: And specially from every shires ende16: Of engelond to caunterbury they wende,17: The hooly blisful martir for to seke,18: That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke.

When April with his showers sweet with fruitThe drought of March has pierced unto the rootAnd bathed each vein with liquor that has powerTo generate therein and sire the flower;When Zephyr also has, with his sweet breath,Quickened again, in every holt and heath,The tender shoots and buds, and the young sunInto the Ram one half his course has run,And many little birds make melodyThat sleep through all the night with open eye(So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)-Then do folk long to go on pilgrimage,And palmers to go seeking out strange strands,To distant shrines well known in sundry lands.And specially from every shire's endOf England they to Canterbury wend,The holy blessed martyr there to seekWho helped them when they lay so ill and weal

19: Bifil that in that seson on a day,20: In southwerk at the tabard as I lay21: Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage22: To caunterbury with ful devout corage,23: At nyght was come into that hostelrye24: Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye,25: Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle26: In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle,27: That toward caunterbury wolden ryde.28: The chambres and the stables weren wyde,29: And wel we weren esed atte beste.30: And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste,31: So hadde I spoken with hem everichon32: That I was of hir felaweshipe anon,33: And made forward erly for to ryse,34: To take oure wey ther as I yow devyse.

Befell that, in that season, on a dayIn Southwark, at the Tabard, as I layReady to start upon my pilgrimageTo Canterbury, full of devout homage,There came at nightfall to that hostelrySome nine and twenty in a companyOf sundry persons who had chanced to fallIn fellowship, and pilgrims were they allThat toward Canterbury town would ride.The rooms and stables spacious were and wide,And well we there were eased, and of the best.And briefly, when the sun had gone to rest,So had I spoken with them, every one,That I was of their fellowship anon,And made agreement that we'd early riseTo take the road, as you I will apprise.

35: But nathelees, whil I have tyme and space,36: Er that I ferther in this tale pace,37: Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun38: To telle yow al the condicioun39: Of ech of hem, so as it semed me,40: And whiche they weren, and of what degree,41: And eek in what array that they were inne;42: And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne.

But none the less, whilst I have time and space,Before yet farther in this tale I pace,It seems to me accordant with reasonTo inform you of the state of every oneOf all of these, as it appeared to me,And who they were, and what was their degree,And even how arrayed there at the inn;And with a knight thus will I first begin.

The Knight's Portrait

bancroft.berkeley.edu

The Knight

43: A knyght ther was, and that a worthy man, 44: That fro the tyme that he first bigan45: To riden out, he loved chivalrie,46: Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie.47: Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,48: And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre,49: As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse,50: And evere honoured for his worthynesse.51: At alisaundre he was whan it was wonne.52: Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne53: Aboven alle nacions in pruce;54: In lettow hadde he reysed and in ruce,55: No cristen man so ofte of his degree.56: In gernade at the seege eek hadde he be57: Of algezir, and riden in belmarye.58: At lyeys was he and at satalye,59: Whan they were wonne; and in the grete see60: At many a noble armee hadde he be.61: At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene,62: And foughten for oure feith at tramyssene63: In lystes thries, and ay slayn his foo.64: This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also65: Somtyme with the lord of palatye66: Agayn another hethen in turkye.67: And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys;68: And though that he were worthy, he was wys,69: And of his port as meeke as is a mayde.70: He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde71: In al his lyf unto no maner wight.72: He was a verray, parfit gentil knyght.73: But, for to tellen yow of his array,74: His hors were goode, but he was nat gay.75: Of fustian he wered a gypon76: Al bismotered with his habergeon,77: For he was late ycome from his viage,78: And wente for to doon his pilgrymage.

A knight there was, and he a worthy man,Who, from the moment that he first beganTo ride about the world, loved chivalry,Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy.Full worthy was he in his liege-lord's war,And therein had he ridden (none more far)As well in Christendom as heathenesse,And honoured everywhere for worthiness.At Alexandria, he, when it was won;Full oft the table's roster he'd begunAbove all nations' knights in Prussia.In Latvia raided he, and Russia,No christened man so oft of his degree.In far Granada at the siege was heOf Algeciras, and in Belmarie.At Ayas was he and at SatalyeWhen they were won; and on the Middle SeaAt many a noble meeting chanced to be.Of mortal battles he had fought fifteen,And he'd fought for our faith at TramisseneThree times in lists, and each time slain his foe.This self-same worthy knight had been alsoAt one time with the lord of PalatyeAgainst another heathen in Turkey:And always won he sovereign fame for prize.Though so illustrious, he was very wiseAnd bore himself as meekly as a maid.He never yet had any vileness said,In all his life, to whatsoever wight.He was a truly perfect, gentle knight.But now, to tell you all of his array,His steeds were good, but yet he was not gay.Of simple fustian wore he a juponSadly discoloured by his habergeon;For he had lately come from his voyageAnd now was going on this pilgrimage.

The Squire

The Squire's Portrait / bancroft.berkeley.edu

79: With hym ther was his sone, a yong squier, 80: A lovyere and a lusty bacheler,81: With lokkes crulle as they were leyd in presse.82: Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse.83: Of his stature he was of evene lengthe,84: And wonderly delyvere, and of greet strengthe.85: And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie86: In flaundres, in artoys, and pycardie,87: And born hym weel, as of so litel space,88: In hope to stonden in his lady grace.89: Embrouded was he, as it were a meede90: Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede.91: Syngynge he was, or floytynge, al the day;92: He was as fressh as is the month of may.93: Short was his gowne, with sleves longe and wyde.94: Wel koude he sitte on hors and faire ryde.95: He koude songes make and wel endite,96: Juste and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and write.97: So hoote he lovede that by nyghtertale.98: He sleep namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale.99: Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable,100: And carf biforn his fader at the table.

With him there was his son, a youthful squire,A lover and a lusty bachelor,With locks well curled, as if they'd laid in press.Some twenty years of age he was, I guess.In stature he was of an average length,Wondrously active, aye, and great of strength.He'd ridden sometime with the cavalryIn Flanders, in Artois, and Picardy,And borne him well within that little spaceIn hope to win thereby his lady's grace.Prinked out he was, as if he were a mead,All full of fresh-cut flowers white and red.Singing he was, or fluting, all the day;He was as fresh as is the month of May.Short was his gown, with sleeves both long and wide.Well could be sit on horse, and fairly ride.He could make songs and words thereto indite,Joust, and dance too, as well as sketch and write.So hot he loved that, while night told her tale,He slept no more than does a nightingale.Courteous he, and humble, willing and able,And carved before his father at the table.

The Yeoman's Portrait bancroft.berkeley.edu

THE YEOMAN

101: A yeman hadde he and servantz namo 102: At that tyme, for hym liste ride so,103: And he was clad in cote and hood of grene.104: A sheef of pecok arwes, bright and kene,105: Under his belt he bar ful thriftily,106: (wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly:107: His arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe)108: And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe.109: A not heed hadde he, with a broun visage.110: Of wodecraft wel koude he al the usage.111: Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer,112: And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler,113: And on that oother syde a gay daggere114: Harneised wel and sharp as point of spere;115: A cristopher on his brest of silver sheene.116: An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of grene;117: A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse.

A yeoman had he, nor more servants, no,At that time, for he chose to travel so;And he was clad in coat and hood of green.A sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keenUnder his belt he bore right carefully(Well could he keep his tackle yeomanly:His arrows had no draggled feathers low),And in his hand he bore a mighty bow.A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face.Of woodcraft knew he all the useful ways.Upon his arm he bore a bracer gay,And at one side a sword and buckler, yea,And at the other side a dagger bright,Well sheathed and sharp as spear point in the light;On breast a Christopher of silver sheen.He bore a horn in baldric all of green;A forester he truly was, I guess.

www.luminarium.org

The Prioress' Portrait

118: Ther was also a nonne, a prioresse, 119: That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy;120: Hire gretteste ooth was but by seinte loy;121: And she was cleped madame eglentyne.122: Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne,123: Entuned in hir nose ful semely,124: And frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly,125: After the scole of stratford atte bowe,126: For frenssh of parys was to hire unknowe.127: At mete wel ytaught was she with alle:128: She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle,129: Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce depe;130: Wel koude she carie a morsel and wel kepe131: That no drope ne fille upon hire brest.132: In curteisie was set ful muchel hir lest.133: Hir over-lippe wyped she so clene134: That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng sene135: Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir draughte.136: Ful semely after hir mete she raughte.137: And sikerly she was of greet desport,138: And ful plesaunt, and amyable of port,139: And peyned hire to countrefete cheere140: Of court, and to been estatlich of manere,141: And to ben holden digne of reverence.142: But, for to speken of hire conscience,143: She was so charitable and so pitous144: She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous145: Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde.146: Of smale houndes hadde she that she fedde147: With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed.148: But soore wepte she if oon of hem were deed,149: Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte;150: And al was conscience and tendre herte.151: Ful semyly hir wympul pynched was,152: Hir nose tretys, hir eyen greye as glas,153: Hir mouth ful smal, and therto softe and reed;154: But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed;155: It was almoost a spanne brood, I trowe;156: For, hardily, she was nat undergrowe.157: Ful fetys was hir cloke, as I was war.158: Of smal coral aboute hire arm she bar159: A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene,160: And theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene,161: On which ther was first write a crowned a,162: And after amor vincit omnia.

There was also a nun, a prioress,Who, in her smiling, modest was and coy;Her greatest oath was but "By Saint Eloy!"And she was known as Madam Eglantine.Full well she sang the services divine,Intoning through her nose, becomingly;And fair she spoke her French, and fluently,After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow,For French of Paris was not hers to know.At table she had been well taught withal,And never from her lips let morsels fall,Nor dipped her fingers deep in sauce, but ateWith so much care the food upon her plateThat never driblet fell upon her breast.In courtesy she had delight and zest.Her upper lip was always wiped so cleanThat in her cup was no iota seenOf grease, when she had drunk her draught of wine.Becomingly she reached for meat to dine.And certainly delighting in good sport,She was right pleasant, amiable- in short.She was at pains to counterfeit the lookOf courtliness, and stately manners took,And would be held worthy of reverence.But, to say something of her moral sense,She was so charitable and piteousThat she would weep if she but saw a mouseCaught in a trap, though it were dead or bled.She had some little dogs, too, that she fedOn roasted flesh, or milk and fine white bread.But sore she'd weep if one of them were dead,Or if men smote it with a rod to smart:For pity ruled her, and her tender heart.Right decorous her pleated wimple was;Her nose was fine; her eyes were blue as glass;Her mouth was small and therewith soft and red;But certainly she had a fair forehead;It was almost a full span broad, I own,For, truth to tell, she was not undergrown.Neat was her cloak, as I was well aware.Of coral small about her arm she'd bearA string of beads and gauded all with green;And therefrom hung a brooch of golden sheenWhereon there was first written a crowned "A,"And under, Amor vincit omnia.

fas.harvard.edu

The Second Nun's Portrait

THE NUN

163: Another nonne with hire hadde she,

Another little nun with her had she,

https://user.phil-fak.uni

THE THREE PRIESTS

THE THREE PRIESTS

164: That was hir chapeleyne, and preestes thre.

Who was her chaplain; and of priests she'd three.

csis.pace.edu

The Monk's Portrait

THE MONK

165: A monk ther was, a fair for the maistrie, 166: An outridere, that lovede venerie,167: A manly man, to been an abbot able.168: Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable,169: And whan he rood, men myghte his brydel heere170: Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere171: And eek as loude as dooth the chapel belle.172: Ther as this lord was kepere of the celle,173: The reule of seint maure or of seint beneit,174: By cause that it was old and somdel streit175: This ilke monk leet olde thynges pace,176: And heeld after the newe world the space.177: He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen,178: That seith that hunters ben nat hooly men,179: Ne that a monk, whan he is recchelees,180: Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees, -- 181: This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre.182: But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre;183: And I seyde his opinion was good.184: What sholde he studie and make hymselven wood,185: Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure,186: Or swynken with his handes, and laboure,187: As austyn bit? how shal the world be served?188: Lat austyn have his swynk to hym reserved!189: Therfore he was a prikasour aright:190: Grehoundes he hadde as swift as fowel in flight;191: Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare192: Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare.193: I seigh his sleves purfiled at the hond194: With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond;195: And, for to festne his hood under his chyn,196: He hadde of gold ywroght a ful curious pyn;197: A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was.198: His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas,199: And eek his face, as he hadde been enoynt.200: He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt;201: His eyen stepe, and rollynge in his heed,202: That stemed as a forneys of a leed;203: His bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat.204: Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat;205: He was nat pale as a forpyned goost.206: A fat swan loved he best of any roost.207: His palfrey was as broun as is a berye.

A monk there was, one made for mastery,An outrider, who loved his venery;A manly man, to be an abbot able.Full many a blooded horse had he in stable:And when he rode men might his bridle hearA-jingling in the whistling wind as clear,Aye, and as loud as does the chapel bellWhere this brave monk was of the cell.The rule of Maurus or Saint Benedict,By reason it was old and somewhat strict,This said monk let such old things slowly paceAnd followed new-world manners in their place.He cared not for that text a clean-plucked henWhich holds that hunters are not holy men;Nor that a monk, when he is cloisterless,Is like unto a fish that's waterless;That is to say, a monk out of his cloister.But this same text he held not worth an oyster;And I said his opinion was right good.What? Should he study as a madman wouldUpon a book in cloister cell? Or yetGo labour with his hands and swink and sweat,As Austin bids? How shall the world be served?Let Austin have his toil to him reserved.Therefore he was a rider day and night;Greyhounds he had, as swift as bird in flight.Since riding and the hunting of the hareWere all his love, for no cost would he spare.I saw his sleeves were purfled at the handWith fur of grey, the finest in the land;Also, to fasten hood beneath his chin,He had of good wrought gold a curious pin:A love-knot in the larger end there was.His head was bald and shone like any glass,And smooth as one anointed was his face.Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case.His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hotThey gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot;His boots were soft; his horse of great estate.Now certainly he was a fine prelate:He was not pale as some poor wasted ghost.A fat swan loved he best of any roast.His palfrey was as brown as is a berry.

The Friar's Portrait

www.luminarium.org

THE FRIAR

208: A frere ther was, a wantowne and a merye, 209: A lymytour, a ful solempne man.210: In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan211: So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage.212: He hadde maad ful many a mariage213: Of yonge wommen at his owene cost.214: Unto his ordre he was a noble post.215: Ful wel biloved and famulier was he216: With frankeleyns over al in his contree,217: And eek with worthy wommen of the toun;218: For he hadde power of confessioun,219: As seyde hymself, moore than a curat,220: For of his ordre he was licenciat.221: Ful swetely herde he confessioun,222: And plesaunt was his absolucioun:223: He was an esy man to yeve penaunce,224: Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce.225: For unto a povre ordre for to yive226: Is signe that a man is wel yshryve;227: For if he yaf, he dorste make avaunt,228: He wiste that a man was repentaunt;229: For many a man so hard is of his herte,230: He may nat wepe, althogh hym soore smerte.231: Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres232: Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres.233: His typet was ay farsed ful of knyves234: And pynnes, for to yeven faire wyves.235: And certeinly he hadde a murye note:236: Wel koude he synge and pleyen on a rote;237: Of yeddynges he baar outrely the pris.238: His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys;239: Therto he strong was as a champioun.240: He knew the tavernes wel in every toun241: And everich hostiler and tappestere242: Bet than a lazar or a beggestere;243: For unto swich a worthy man as he244: Acorded nat, as by his facultee,245: To have with sike lazars aqueyntaunce.246: It is nat honest, it may nat avaunce,247: For to deelen with no swich poraille,248: But al with riche and selleres of vitaille.249: And over al, ther as profit sholde arise,250: Curteis he was and lowely of servyse.251: Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous.252: He was the beste beggere in his hous;252.1: (and yaf a certeyne ferme for the graunt;252.2: Noon of his bretheren cam ther in his haunt;)253: For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho,254: So plesaunt was his in principio,255: Yet wolde he have a ferthyng, er he wente.256: His purchas was wel bettre than his rente.257: And rage he koude, as it were right a whelp.258: In love-dayes ther koude he muchel help,259: For ther he was nat lyk a cloysterer260: With a thredbare cope, as is a povre scoler,261: But he was lyk a maister or a pope.262: Of double worstede was his semycope,263: That rounded as a belle out of the presse.264: Somwhat he lipsed, for his wantownesse,265: To make his englissh sweete upon his tonge;266: And in his harpyng, whan that he hadde songe,267: His eyen twynkled in his heed aryght,268: As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght.269: This worthy lymytour was cleped huberd.

A friar there was, a wanton and a merry,A limiter, a very festive man.In all the Orders Four is none that canEqual his gossip and his fair language.He had arranged full many a marriageOf women young, and this at his own cost.Unto his order he was a noble post.Well liked by all and intimate was heWith franklins everywhere in his country,And with the worthy women of the town:For at confessing he'd more power in gown(As he himself said) than it good curate,For of his order he was licentiate.He heard confession gently, it was said,Gently absolved too, leaving naught of dread.He was an easy man to give penanceWhen knowing he should gain a good pittance;For to a begging friar, money givenIs sign that any man has been well shriven.For if one gave (he dared to boast of this),He took the man's repentance not amiss.For many a man there is so hard of heartHe cannot weep however pains may smart.Therefore, instead of weeping and of prayer,Men should give silver to poor friars all bare.His tippet was stuck always full of knivesAnd pins, to give to young and pleasing wives.And certainly he kept a merry note:Well could he sing and play upon the rote.At balladry he bore the prize away.His throat was white as lily of the May;Yet strong he was as ever champion.In towns he knew the taverns, every one,And every good host and each barmaid too-Better than begging lepers, these he knew.For unto no such solid man as heAccorded it, as far as he could see,To have sick lepers for acquaintances.There is no honest advantageousnessIn dealing with such poverty-stricken curs;It's with the rich and with big victuallers.And so, wherever profit might arise,Courteous he was and humble in men's eyes.There was no other man so virtuous.He was the finest beggar of his house;A certain district being farmed to him,None of his brethren dared approach its rim;For though a widow had no shoes to show,So pleasant was his In principio,He always got a farthing ere he went.He lived by pickings, it is evident.And he could romp as well as any whelp.On love days could he be of mickle help.For there he was not like a cloisterer,With threadbare cope as is the poor scholar,But he was like a lord or like a pope.Of double worsted was his semi-cope,That rounded like a bell, as you may guess.He lisped a little, out of wantonness,To make his English soft upon his tongue;And in his harping, after he had sung,His two eyes twinkled in his head as brightAs do the stars within the frosty night.This worthy limiter was named Hubert.

GLOSSARY

droughta shortage of rainfall

sproutproduce buds, branches, or germinate

pilgrimagea journey to a sacred place

renownedwidely known and esteemed

sundryconsisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

martyrone who voluntarily suffers death

befallbecome of; happen to

devoutdeeply religious

arrayan impressive display

courtesya considerate and respectful manner

valianthaving or showing valor

heathena person who does not acknowledge your god

creedany system of principles or beliefs

mortalsubject to death

deportmentthe way a person behaves toward other people

hasten move fast

staturethe height of a standing person

cavalrytroops trained to fight on horseback

embroiderdecorate with needlework

joustfight someone in a tournament on horseback

yeomana free man who cultivates his own land

sheafa package of several things tied together

keenintense or sharp

unseemlynot in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper

amiablediffusing warmth and friendliness

miena person's appearance, manner, or demeanor

smiteinflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon

chaplaina member of the clergy ministering to some institution

monasticof communal life sequestered under religious vows

cloisterresidence that is a place of religious seclusion

appointassign a duty, responsibility or obligation to

prelatea senior clergyman and dignitary

absolvegrant remission of a sin to

grievouscausing or marked by grief or anguish

merrimentactivities that are enjoyable or amusing

renownthe state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed

lepera pariah who is avoided by others

facultyan inherent cognitive or perceptual power of the mind

leprosycommunicable disease characterized by wasting of body parts

brethrenthe lay members of a male religious order

arbitrateact between parties with a view to reconciling differences

threadbarethin and tattered with age

motleyconsisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

pompcheap or pretentious or vain display

debonairhaving a sophisticated charm

patenta document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention

commissionthe act of granting authority to undertake certain functions

eruditionprofound scholarly knowledge

adjudicatehear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of

rotememorization by repetition

girdbind with something round or circular

lureprovoke someone to do something through persuasion

felicitypleasing and appropriate manner or style

bountythe property of copious abundance

adherestick to firmly

utensilan implement for practical use

fraternitya social club for male undergraduates

guilda formal association of people with similar interests

daisa platform raised above the surrounding level

chagrinstrong feelings of embarrassment

ulceran inflammatory lesion resulting in decay of tissue

pilfermake off with belongings of others

reckonmake a mathematical calculation or computation

shrewdmarked by practical hardheaded intelligence

maladyimpairment of normal physiological function

practitionersomeone who carries out a learned profession

apothecarya health professional trained in the art of preparing drugs

superfluityextreme excess

scarleta variable vivid red color, sometimes with an orange tinge

azureof a deep somewhat purplish blue color

demureaffectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way

necessitaterequire as useful, just, or proper

pestilenceany epidemic disease with a high death rate

cordialpolitely warm and friendly

surpassbe or do something to a greater degree

precedebe earlier in time

wrathintense anger, usually on an epic scale

conjectureto believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

ruddyinclined to a healthy reddish color

amblewalk leisurely

amplemore than enough in size or scope or capacity

remedya medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain

benignkindness of disposition or manner

diligenceconscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task

adversitya state of misfortune or affliction

sufficiencythe quality of being enough for the end in view

asunderinto parts or pieces

vexedtroubled persistently especially with petty annoyances

mirea soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot

mercenarya person hired to fight for another country than their own

virtuousmorally excellent

haughtyhaving or showing arrogant superiority to

indignantangered at something unjust or wrong

obstinatemarked by tenacious unwillingness to yield

chidecensure severely or angrily

feignmake believe with the intent to deceive

apostlean ardent early supporter of a cause or reform

brawnpossessing muscular strength

knavea deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

sowplace seeds in or on the ground for future growth

unrestrainedindulgence in sexual activity

victualsa source of materials to nourish the body

stewardsomeone who manages property or affairs for someone else

cholericcharacterized by anger

granarya storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed

augurpredict from an omen

arrearsthe state of being behind in payments

bailiffofficer of the court employed to execute writs and processes

sleightadroitness in using the hands

subtlyin a manner difficult to detect or grasp

cheruban angel portrayed as a winged child

concubinea woman who cohabits with an important man

slaykill intentionally and with premeditation

absolutionformal redemption as pronounced by a priest in penance

garlandflower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage

comradea friend who is frequently in the company of another

pardonaccept an excuse for

ministrythe work of a person authorized to conduct religious worship

congregationthe act of assembling

ecclesiasticof or associated with a church

alightto come to rest, settle

vulgaritythe quality of lacking taste and refinement

marshala military officer of highest rank

robuststurdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction

mirthgreat merriment

diversiona turning aside

assentto agree or express agreement

deliberationcareful consideration

verdictfindings of a jury on issues submitted to it for decision

disdainlack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

vouchsafegrant in a condescending manner

tarryleave slowly and hesitantly

rousecause to become awake or conscious

accordconcurrence of opinion

obedientdutifully complying with the commands of those in author

After Reading Activity

A: Study Questions for Chaucer's General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales

1. Why might we consider The Canterbury Tales as a microcosm of the medieval world?

2. What sort of place is Southwark?

3. The inn is called "The Tabard Inn." What is a tabard?

4. Why does the narrator-persona begin his discussion of the various pilgrims by describing the knight first?

5. Identify the following characters:

characters

appearance

personality

The Knight

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

The Squire

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

The Yeoman

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

The Nun or Prioress

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

The Monk

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

…………………………

6. What season is described in the opening passage of The Canterbury Tales?

7. What do people especially want to do when this season comes, according to the narrator?

8. Where especially do English people want to go? Why do they want to go there?

9. How many pilgrims does the narrator claim he meets at the Tabard inn?

From 10 – 46 are questions discussed in group after class.

10. What are some of the places where the Knight has fought?

11. What does the Knight do to his opponents if he beats them in the tournament ring ("the lists")?

12. What is the Knight's conversation and speech like, according to the narrator?

13. What is the Knight's armor (his habergeon) like in appearance? Why do you suppose it look like this?

14. What pilgrim is the son of this Knight?

15. How does the Squire's appearance contrast with that of the Knight?

16. How old is the Squire?

17. What talents does he have and how do they contrast with the Knight?

18. Why does the Squire sleep so little?

19. What's a Yeoman in the medieval world?

20. Why is the Yeoman so sun-tanned? (What does this trait suggest about him, his activities, and how he spends a time?)

21. Why do you suppose the Knight would want a servant who is good with a bow?

22. What's a prioress? What is the name of the particular prioress who joins the pilgrimage company?

23. What foreign language does the Prioress speak?

24. Where (according to her accent) did she learn to speak French?

25. What might this detail reveal about her background?

26. How does the Prioress eat her food? What does this detail suggest about her background?

27. What is the Prioress's attitude toward animals? What does this suggest about her?

28. What does her golden brooch have written on it? What are two ways of interpreting this quotation?

29. The Monk, we hear, is an "outrider." What is an outrider in a monastery?

30. What noise do people hear as the Monk rides past them?

31. What is the Monk's attitude toward the Benedictine Rule or the Mauritian Rule (i.e., the guidelines monks are supposed to obey)?

32. What does the Monk think of the argument that holy men shouldn't hunt animals?

33. What does the Monk think about studying books?

34. What does the Monk think of Saint Augustine's Rule, which requires that monastic clergy work with their hands at manual labor?

35. What animals follow the Monk around when he rides?

36. What's unusual about the sleeves of the Monk's habit (robe)? Why does this seem strange for a monastic habit?

37. What sort of pin does the Monk wear in his habit?

38. Why is this pin strange or unusual for a Monk's clothing?

39. What is the Friar's name?

40. What does the Friar frequently arrange for young women in his parish?

41. What are two ways of interpreting this "generosity"?

42. What sort of absolution does the Friar grant to sinners?

43. What locations does the Friar know especially well in every town?

44. What sort of people does he know very well?

45. We hear that the Friar was particularly of much help on "love-days."

46. What are two ways of interpreting this phrase, "love-days"?

B: Make a summary in your own understandings.

The Portrait of Sir Thomas More

Born: February 7, 1478, City of London, UK

Died: July 6, 1535, London, UK

http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-more

1.2 SIR THOMAS MORE

According to Biography.com, the editor of the website wrote that Thomas More wrote Utopia in 1516, which was the forerunner of the utopian literary genre. More served as an important counselor to King Henry VIII of England, serving as his key counselor in the early 1500s, but after he refused to accept the king as head of the Church of England, he was tried for treason and beheaded (he died in London, England, in 1535). More is noted for coining the word "Utopia," in reference to an ideal political system in which policies are governed by reason. He was canonized by the Catholic Church as a saint in 1935, and has been commemorated by the Church of England as a "Reformation martyr."

Many historical records suggest that Thomas More was born in London, England, on February 7, 1478, although some scholars believe the year of his birth to be 1477. He attended St. Anthony's School in London, one of the best schools of his day, and as a youth served as a page in the household of John Morton, archbishop of Canterbury and chancellor of England (and future cardinal). Morton is said to have thought that More would become a "marvelous man." More went on to study at Oxford University, where he seems to have spent two years mastering Latin and formal logic, writing comedies, and studying Greek and Latin literature.

1.2.1 Read the following story of Sir Thomas More and compare it with the presentation being presented in class.

Sir Thomas more and Henry VIII

More's fate would begin to turn when, in the summer of 1527, King Henry tried to use the Bible to prove to More that Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who had failed to produce a male heir, was void. More tried to share the king's viewpoint, but it was in vain, and More could not sign off on Henry's plan for divorce.

In 1532, More resigned from the House of Commons, citing poor health. The real reason, however, was probably his disapproval of Henry's recent disregard of the laws of the church and his divorce of Catherine. More did not attend the subsequent coronation of Anne Boleyn in June 1533, and the king did not view this in a very kind light, and his vengeance was imminent.

In February 1534, More was accused of being complicit with Elizabeth Barton, who opposed Henry's break with Rome. And in April, the final straw came when More refused to swear to Henry's Act of Succession and the Oath of Supremacy. This amounted to More essentially refusing to accept the king as head of the Church of England, which More believed would disparage the power of the pope. More was sent to the Tower of London on April 17, 1534, and was found guilty of treason.

http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-more

1.2.2Complete the brief information of Sir Thomas More from the presentation of the assigned group.

Name

Sir Thomas More

Birth

Death

Resting place

Wife

Children

Honor

Famous / Major work

Genre

Inspiration / Influenced by

Outstanding qualifications

Influences towards society

1.2.3 The following reading is the most famous work of More, illustrating his well-rounded talent. The ideal qualifications of the ruler, diplomats, leaders and citizens are exemplified. The strategies for ruling and government; for commerce; and international relations are also introduced, which is still classic for today. The comparison with The Three Kingdoms is worth studied. After finishing reading, do the after-class activity.

UTOPIA

BOOK I

HENRY VIII, the unconquered King of England, a prince adorned with all the virtues that become a great monarch, having some differences of no small consequence with Charles, the most serene Prince of Castile, sent me into Flanders, as his ambassador, for treating and composing matters between them. I was colleague and companion to that incomparable man Cuthbert Tonstal, whom the King with such universal applause lately made Master of the Rolls, but of whom I will say nothing; not because I fear that the testimony of a friend will be suspected, but rather because his learning and virtues are too great for me to do them justice, and so well known that they need not my commendations unless I would, according to the proverb, "Show the sun with a lantern."

Those that were appointed by the Prince to treat with us, met us at Bruges, according to agreement; they were all worthy men. The Margrave of Bruges was their head, and the chief man among them; but he that was esteemed the wisest, and that spoke for the rest, was George Temsecke, the Provost of Cassel; both art and nature had concurred to make him eloquent: he was very learned in the law; and as he had a great capacity, so by a long practice in affairs he was very dexterous at unravelling them.

After we had several times met without coming to an agreement, they went to Brussels for some days to know the Prince's pleasure. And since our business would admit it, I went to Antwerp. While I was there, among many that visited me, there was one that was more acceptable to me than any other, Peter Giles, born at Antwerp, who is a man of great honor, and of a good rank in his town, though less than he deserves; for I do not know if there be anywhere to be found a more learned and a better bred young man: for as he is both a very worthy and a very knowing person, so he is so civil to all men, so particularly kind to his friends, and so full of candor and affection, that there is not perhaps above one or two anywhere to be found that are in all respects so perfect a friend. He is extraordinarily modest, there is no artifice in him; and yet no man has more of a prudent simplicity: his conversation was so pleasant and so innocently cheerful, that his company in a great measure lessened any longings to go

back to my country, and to my wife and children, which an absence of four months had quickened very much.

One day as I was returning home from mass at St. Mary's, which is the chief church, and the most frequented of any in Antwerp, I saw him by accident talking with a stranger, who seemed past the flower of his age; his face was tanned, he had a long beard, and his cloak was hanging carelessly about him, so that by his looks and habit I concluded he was a seaman.

As soon as Peter saw me, he came and saluted me; and as was returning his civility, he took me aside, and pointing to him with whom he had been discoursing, he said: "Do you see that man? I was just thinking to bring him to you."

I answered, "He should have been very welcome on your account." "And on his own too," replied he, "if you knew the man, for there is none alive that can give so copious an account of unknown nations and countries as he can do; which I know you very much desire." Then said I, "I did not guess amiss, for at first sight I took him for a seaman."

"But you are much mistaken," said he, "for he has not sailed as a seaman, but as a traveler, or rather a philosopher. This Raphael, who from his family carries the name of Hythloday, is not ignorant of the Latin tongue, but is eminently learned in the Greek, having applied himself more particularly to that than to the former, because he had given himself much to philosophy, in which he knew that the Romans have left us nothing that is valuable, except what is to be found in Seneca and Cicero. He is a Portuguese by birth, and was so desirous of seeing the world that he divided his estate among his brothers, ran the same hazard as Americus Vespucius, and bore a share in three of his four voyages, that are now published; only he did not return with him in his last, but obtained leave of him almost by force, that he might be one of those twenty four who were left at the farthest place at which they touched, in their last voyage to New Castile. The leaving him thus did not a little gratify one that was more fond of travelling than of returning home to be buried in his own country; for he used often to say that the way to heaven was the same from all places; and he that had no grave had the heaven still over him. Yet this disposition of mind had cost him dear, if God had not been very gracious to him; for after he, with five Castilians, had travelled over many countries, at last, by strange good fortune, he got to Ceylon, and from thence to Calicut, where he very happily found some Portuguese ships, and, beyond all men's expectations, returned to his native country."

When Peter had said this to me, I thanked him for his kindness, in intending to give me the acquaintance of a man whose conversation he knew would be so acceptable; and upon that Raphael and I embraced each other. After those civilities were passed which are usual with strangers upon their first meeting, we all went to my house, and entering into the garden, sat down on a green bank, and entertained one another in discourse. He told us that when Vespucius had sailed away, he and his companions that stayed behind in New Castile, by degrees insinuated themselves into the affections of the people of the country, meeting often with them, and treating them gently: and at last they not only lived among them without danger, but conversed familiarly with them; and got so far into the heart of a prince, whose name and country I have forgot, that he both furnished them plentifully with all things necessary, and also with the conveniences of travelling; both boats when they went by water, and wagons when they travelled over land: he sent with them a very faithful guide, who was to introduce and recommend them to such other princes as they had a mind to see: and after many days' journey, they came to towns and cities, and to commonwealths, that were both happily governed and well-peopled. Under the equator, and as far on both sides of it as the sun moves, there lay vast deserts that were parched with the perpetual heat of the sun; the soil was withered, all things looked dismally, and all places were either quite uninhabited, or abounded with wild beasts and serpents, and some few men that were neither less wild nor less cruel than the beasts themselves. But as they went farther, a new scene opened, all things grew milder, the air less burning, the soil more verdant, and even the beasts were less wild: and at last there were nations, towns, and cities, that had not only mutual commerce among themselves, and with their neighbors, but traded both by sea and land, to very remote countries. There they found the conveniences of seeing many countries on all hands, for no ship went any voyage into which he and his companions were not very welcome. The first vessels that they saw were flat bottomed, their sails were made of reeds and wicker woven close together, only some were of leather; but afterward they found ships made with round keels and canvas sails, and in all respects like our ships; and the seamen understood both astronomy and navigation. He got wonderfully into their favor, by showing them the use of the needle, of which till then they were utterly ignorant. They sailed before with great caution, and only in summer-time, but now they count all seasons alike, trusting wholly to the loadstone, in which they are perhaps more secure than safe; so that there is reason to fear that this discovery, which was thought would prove so much to their advantage, may by their imprudence become an occasion of much mischief to them. But it were too long to dwell on all that he told us he had observed in every place, it would be too great a digression from our present purpose: whatever is necessary to be told, concerning those wise and prudent institutions which he observed among civilized nations, may perhaps be related by us on a more proper occasion. We asked him many questions concerning all these things, to which he answered very willingly; only we made no inquiries after monsters, than which nothing is more common; for everywhere one may hear of ravenous dogs and wolves, and cruel man-eaters; but it is not so easy to find States that are well and wisely governed. As he told us of many things that were amiss in those New discovered countries, so he reckoned up not a few things from which patterns might be taken for correcting the errors of these nations among whom we live; of which an account may be given, as I have already promised, at some other time; for at present I intend only to relate those particulars that he told us of the manners and laws of the Utopians: but I will begin with the occasion that led us to speak of that commonwealth. After Raphael had discoursed with great judgment on the many errors that were both among us and these nations; had treated of the wise institutions both here and there, and had spoken as distinctly of the customs and government of every nation through which he had passed, as if he had spent his whole life in it, Peter, being struck with admiration, said: "I wonder, Raphael, how it comes that you enter into no king's service, for I am sure there are none to whom you would not be very acceptable: for your learning and knowledge both of men and things, are such that you would not only entertain them very pleasantly, but be of great use to them, by the examples you could set before them and the advices you could give them; and by this means you would both serve your own interest and be of great use to all your friends."

"As for my friends," answered he, "I need not be much concerned, having already done for them all that was incumbent on me; for when I was not only in good health, but fresh and young, I distributed that among my kindred and friends which other people do not part with till they are old and sick, when they then unwillingly give that which they can enjoy no longer themselves. I think my friends ought to rest contented with this, and not to expect that for their sake I should enslave myself to any king whatsoever."

"Soft and fair," said Peter, "I do not mean that you should be a slave to any king, but only that you should assist them, and be useful to them." "The change of the word," said he, "does not alter the matter." "But term it as you will," replied Peter, "I do not see any other way in which you can be so useful, both in private to your friends, and to the public, and by which you can make your own condition happier."

"Happier!" answered Raphael; "is that to be compassed in a way so abhorrent to my genius? Now I live as I will, to which I believe few courtiers can pretend. And there are so many that court the favor of great men, that there will be no great loss if they are not troubled either with me or with others of my temper."

Upon this, said I: "I perceive, Raphael, that you neither desire wealth nor greatness; and indeed I value and admire such a man much more than I do any of the great men in the world. Yet I think you would do what would well become so generous and philosophical a soul as yours is, if you would apply your time and thoughts to public affairs, even though you may happen to find it a little uneasy to yourself: and this you can never do with so much advantage, as by being taken into the counsel of some great prince, and putting him on noble and worthy actions, which I know you would do if you were in such a post; for the springs both of good and evil flow from the prince, over a whole nation, as from a lasting fountain. So much learning as you have, even without practice in affairs, or so great a practice as you have had, without any other learning, would render you a very fit counsellor to any king whatsoever."

"You are doubly mistaken," said he, "Mr. More, both in your opinion of me, and in the judgment you make of things: for as I have not that capacity that you fancy I have, so, if I had it, the public would not be one jot the better, when I had sacrificed my quiet to it. For most princes apply themselves more to affairs of war than to the useful arts of peace; and in these I neither have any knowledge, nor do I much desire it: they are generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms, right or wrong, than on governing well those they possess. And among the ministers of princes, there are none that are not so wise as to need no assistance, or at least that do not think themselves so wise that they imagine they need none; and if they court any, it is only those for whom the prince has much personal favor, whom by their fawnings and flatteries they endeavor to fix to their own interests: and indeed Nature has so made us that we all love to be flattered, and to please ourselves with our own notions. The old crow loves his young, and the ape her cubs. Now if in such a court, made up of persons who envy all others, and only admire themselves, a person should but propose anything that he had either read in history or observed in his travels, the rest would think that the reputation of their wisdom would sink, and that their interest would be much depressed, if they could not run it down: and if all other things failed, then they would fly to this, that such or such things pleased our ancestors, and it were well for us if we could but match them. They would set up their rest on such an answer, as a sufficient confutation of all that could be said, as if it were a great misfortune, that any should be found wiser than his ancestors; but though they willingly let go all the good things that were among those of former ages, yet if better things are proposed they cover themselves obstinately with this excuse of reverence to past times. I have met with these proud, morose, and absurd judgments of things in many places, particularly once in England."

"Were you ever there?" said I.

"Yes, I was," answered he, "and stayed some months there not long after the rebellion in the west was suppressed with a great slaughter of the poor people that were engaged in it. I was then much obliged to that reverend prelate, John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal, and Chancellor of England: a man," said he, "Peter (for Mr. More knows well what he was), that was not less venerable for his wisdom and virtues than for the high character he bore. He was of a middle stature, not broken with age; his looks begot reverence rather than fear; his conversation was easy, but serious and grave he sometimes took pleasure to try the force of those that came as suitors to him upon business, by speaking sharply though decently to them, and by that he discovered their spirit and presence of mind, with which he was much delighted, when it did not grow up to impudence, as bearing a great resemblance to his own temper; and he looked on such persons as the fittest men for affairs. He spoke both gracefully and weightily; he was eminently skilled in the law, had a vast understanding and a prodigious memory; and those excellent talents with which nature had furnished him were improved by study and experience. When I was in England the King depended much on his counsels, and the government seemed to be chiefly supported by him; for from his youth he had been all along practised in affairs; and having passed through many traverses of fortune, he had with great cost acquired a vast stock of wisdom, which is not soon lost when it is purchased so dear.

"One day when I was dining with him there happened to be at table one of the English lawyers, who took occasion to runout in a high commendation of the severe execution of justice upon thieves, who, as he said, were then hanged so fast that there were sometimes twenty on one gibbet; and upon that he said he could not wonder enough how it came to pass, that since so few escaped, there were yet so many thieves left who were still robbing in all places. Upon this, I who took the boldness to speak freely before the cardinal, said there was no reason to wonder at the matter, since this way of punishing thieves was neither just in itself nor good for the public; for as the severity was too great, so the remedy was not effectual; simple theft not being so great a crime that it ought to cost a man his life, no punishment how severe so ever being able to restrain those from robbing who can find out no other way of livelihood. 'In this,' said I, 'not only you in England, but a great part of the world imitate some ill masters that are readier to chastise their scholars than to teach them. There are dreadful punishments enacted against thieves, but it were much better to make such good provisions by which every man might be put in a method how to live, and so be preserved from the fatal necessity of stealing and of dying for it.'

"'There has been care enough taken for that,' said he, 'there are many handicrafts, and there is husbandry, by which they may make a shift to live unless they have a greater mind to follow ill courses.'

"'That will not serve your turn,' said I, 'for many lose their limbs in civil or foreign wars, as lately in the Cornish rebellion, and some time ago in your wars with France, who being thus mutilated in the service of their king and country, can no more follow their old trades, and are too old to learn new ones: but since wars are only accidental things, and have intervals, let us consider those things that fall out every day. There is a great number of noblemen among you, that are themselves as idle as drones, that subsist on other men's labor, on the labor of their tenants, whom, to raise their revenues, they pare to the quick. This indeed is the only instance of their frugality, for in all other things they are prodigal, even to the beggaring of themselves: but besides this, they carry about with them a great number of idle fellows, who never learned any art by which they may gain their living; and these, as soon as either their lord dies or they themselves fall sick, are turned out of doors; for your lords are readier to feed idle people than to take care of the sick; and often the heir is not able to keep together so great a family as his predecessor did. Now when the stomachs of those that are thus turned out of doors grow keen, they rob no less keenly; and what else can they do? for when, by wandering about, they have worn out both their health and their clothes, and are tattered, and look ghastly, men of quality will not entertain them, and poor men dare not do it, knowing that one who has been bred up in idleness and pleasure, and who was used to walk about with his sword and buckler, despising all the neighborhood with an insolent scorn as far below him, is not fit for the spade and mattock: nor will he serve a poor man for so small a hire, and in so low a diet as he can afford to give him.'

"To this he answered: 'This sort of men ought to be particularly cherished, for in them consists the force of the armies for which we have occasion; since their birth inspires them with a nobler sense of honor than is to be found among tradesmen or ploughmen.'

"'You may as well say,' replied I, 'that you must cherish thieves on the account of wars, for you will never want the one as long as you have the other; and as robbers prove sometimes gallant soldiers, so soldiers often prove brave robbers; so near an alliance there is between those two sorts of life. But this bad custom, so common among you, of keeping many servants, is not peculiar to this nation. In France there is yet a more pestiferous sort of people, for the whole country is full of soldiers, still kept up in time of peace, if such a state of a nation can be called a peace: and these are kept in pay upon the same account that you plead for those idle retainers about noblemen; this being a maxim of those pretended statesmen that it is necessary for the public safety to have a good body of veteran soldiers ever in readiness. They think raw men are not to be depended on, and they sometimes seek occasions for making war, that they may train up their soldiers in the art of cutting throats; or as Sallust observed, for keeping their hands in use, that they may not grow dull by too long an intermission. But France has learned to its cost how dangerous it is to feed such beasts.

"'The fate of the Romans, Carthaginians, and Syrians, and many other nations and cities, which were both overturned and quite ruined by those standing armies, should make others wiser: and the folly of this maxim of the French appears plainly even from this, that their trained soldiers often find your raw men prove too hard for them; of which I will not say much, lest you may think I flatter the English. Every day's experience shows that the mechanics in the towns, or the clowns in the country, are not afraid of fighting with those idle gentlemen, if they are not disabled by some misfortune in their body, or dispirited by extreme want, so that you need not fear that those well-shaped and strong men (for it is only such that noblemen love to keep about them, till they spoil them) who now grow feeble with ease, and are softened with their effeminate manner of life, would be less fit for action if they were well bred and well employed. And it seems very unreasonable that for the prospect of a war, which you need never have but when you please, you should maintain so many idle men, as will always disturb you in time of peace, which is ever to be more considered than war. But I do not think that this necessity of stealing arises only from hence; there is another cause of it more peculiar to England.'

"What is that?'' said the cardinal.

"The increase of pasture,'' said I, 'by which your sheep, which are naturally mild, and easily kept in order, may be said now to devour men, and unpeople, not only villages, but towns; for wherever it is found that the sheep of any soil yield a softer and richer wool than ordinary, there the nobility and gentry, and even those holy men the abbots, not contented with the old rents which their farms yielded, nor thinking it enough that they, living at their ease, do no good to the public, resolve to do it hurt instead of good. They stop the course of agriculture, destroying houses and towns, reserving only the churches, and enclose grounds that they may lodge their sheep in them. As if forests and parks had swallowed up too little of the land, those worthy countrymen turn the best inhabited places in solitudes, for when an insatiable wretch, who is a plague to his country, resolves to enclose many thousand acres of ground, the owners as well as tenants are turned out of their possessions, by tricks, or by main force, or being wearied out with ill-usage, they are forced to sell them. By which means those miserable people, both men and women, married and unmarried, old and young, with their poor but numerous families (since country business requires many hands), are all forced to change their seats, not knowing whither to go; and they must sell almost for nothing their household stuff, which could not bring them much money, even though they might stay for a buyer. When that little money is at an end, for it will be soon spent, what is left for them to do, but either to steal and so to be hanged (God knows how justly), or to go about and beg? And if they do this, they are put in prison as idle vagabonds; while they would willingly work, but can find none that will hire them; for there is no more occasion for country labor, to which they have been bred, when there is no arable ground left. One shepherd can look after a flock which will stock an extent of ground that would require many hands if it were to be ploughed and reaped. This likewise in many places raises the price of corn.

"'The price of wool is also so risen that the poor people who were wont to make cloth are no more able to buy it; and this likewise makes many of them idle. For since the increase of pasture, God has punished the avarice of the owners by a rot among the sheep, which has destroyed vast numbers of them; to us it might have seemed more just had it fell on the owners themselves. But suppose the sheep should increase ever so much, their price is not like to fall; since though they cannot be called a monopoly, because they are not engrossed by one person, yet they are in so few hands, and these are so rich, that as they are not pressed to sell them sooner than they have a mind to it, so they never do it till they have raised the price as high as possible. And on the same account it is, that the other kinds of cattle are so dear, because many villages being pulled down, and all country labor being much neglected, there are none who make it their business to breed them. The rich do not breed cattle as they do sheep, but buy them lean, and at low prices; and after they have fattened them on their grounds sell them again at high rates. And I do not think that all the inconveniences this will produce are yet observed, for as they sell the cattle dear, so if they are consumed faster than the breeding countries from which they are brought can afford them, then the stock must decrease, and this must needs end in great scarcity; and by these means this your island, which seemed as to this particular the happiest in the world, will suffer much by the cursed avarice of a few persons; besides this, the rising of corn makes all people lessen their families as much as they can; and what can those who are dismissed by them do, but either beg or rob? And to this last, a man of a great mind is much sooner drawn than to the former.

"'Luxury likewise breaks in apace upon you, to set forward your poverty and misery; there is an excessive vanity in apparel, and great cost in diet; and that not only in noblemen's families, but even among tradesmen, among the farmers themselves, and among all ranks of persons. You have also many infamous houses, and, besides those that are known, the taverns and alehouses are no better; add to these, dice, cards, tables, foot-ball, tennis, and quoits, in which money runs fast away; and those that are initiated into them, must in the conclusion betake themselves to robbing for a supply. Banish these plagues, and give orders that those who have dis peopled so much soil, may either rebuild the villages they have pulled down, or let out their grounds to such as will do it: restrain those engrossings of the rich, that are as bad almost as monopolies; leave fewer occasions to idleness; let agriculture be set up again, and the manufacture of the wool be regulated, that so there may be work found for those companies of idle people whom want forces to be thieves, or who, now being idle vagabonds or useless servants, will certainly grow thieves at last. If you do not find a remedy to these evils, it is a vain thing to boast of your severity in punishing theft, which though it may have the appearance of justice, yet in itself is neither just nor convenient. For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this, but that you first make thieves

and then punish them?'

"While I was talking thus, the counsellor who was present had prepared an answer, and had resolved to resume all I had said, according to the formality of a debate, in which things are generally repeated more faithfully than they are answered; as if the chief trial to be made were of men's memories.

"'You have talked prettily for a stranger,' said he, 'having heard of many things among us which you have not been able to consider well; but I will make the whole matter plai

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