The Reeve's Tale from The Canterbury Tales

The Reeve's Tale from The Canterbury Tales

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will understand the narrative structure of 'The Reeve's Tale' and its placement within 'The Canterbury Tales'.
At the end of the lesson you will be able to analyze the themes of deceit, revenge, and social status in 'The Reeve's Tale'.
At the end of the lesson you will recognize the character archetypes and their roles within the story.
At the end of the lesson you will be able to discuss the social and historical context of the tale, including the role of the clergy and perceptions of marriage and legitimacy.
At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify the moral lessons Chaucer imparts through 'The Reeve's Tale'.
At the end of the lesson you will be able to explore the use of irony and satire in 'The Reeve's Tale'.

What do you already know about 'The Reeve's Tale' from The Canterbury Tales?

Plot Summary

Symkyn the miller cheats customers at his mill near Cambridge.
Two students seek revenge after being deceived by Symkyn.
The students end up sleeping with the miller's daughter and wife.

Character Analysis

Symkyn: Deceitful miller and main antagonist.
Malyne: Symkyn's daughter, preserved for advantageous marriage.
John and Aleyn: Two students seeking revenge.

Themes

Trickery, social justice, and retribution.

Historical Context

Role of the clergy and marriage customs.

Moral and Ethical Implications

Lessons Chaucer imparts through 'The Reeve's Tale'.

Literary Devices

Use of irony and satire in 'The Reeve's Tale'.

Definition List

Symkyn: A deceitful miller who overcharges customers and is the main antagonist in 'The Reeve's Tale'.
Malyne: Symkyn's daughter, whose virginity is preserved by her parents for a socially advantageous marriage.
John and Aleyn: Two students from Cambridge University who seek to avenge Symkyn's deceit.
Historical context: The social and cultural setting of the tale, including medieval views on clergy, marriage, and legitimacy.
Irony: A literary device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, used by Chaucer to enhance the tale's moral lessons.
Satire: A genre that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.