I need a version I can understand of The Prioress' Portrait from the General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales.
This site will give you an overview.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/
This site gives you a side-by-side version of the Prioress's Tale
http://www.librarius.com/canttran/priotrfs.htm
You can find this type of site by going to www.google.com and typing in the following, including the quotation marks around the exact title:
"canterbury tales" translation
"twa corbies" translation
This is how I found the side-by-side of "The Twa Corbies" for you earlier.
=)
Certainly! "The Prioress' Portrait" is one of the character descriptions found in the General Prologue of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. To understand the character of The Prioress, you can follow these steps:
1. Read the original text: Start by reading Chaucer's original description of The Prioress in the General Prologue. This will give you an idea of the language and details used to portray her. Here's an example of the original Middle English text:
"Ther was also a nonne, a Prioresse,
That of hir smyling was ful symple and coy;
Hire gretteste ooth was but by seint Loy;
And she was cleped madame Eglentyne.
Ful wel she sange the service divyne,
Entuned in hir nose ful semely."
2. Translate the Middle English: As Chaucer wrote in Middle English, which may be different from modern English, a translation can help you understand the text better. Here's a translation of the above passage:
"There was also a nun, a Prioress,
Who was very modest and coy in her smile;
Her greatest oath was but by Saint Loy;
And she was called Madame Eglantine.
She sang the divine service very well,
In a melodious and pleasant tone."
3. Analyze the description: After understanding the translation, you can analyze the description to gather information about The Prioress. Here are some key points:
- The Prioress is described as a nun who holds the rank of Prioress, indicating a position of authority within the convent.
- Her demeanor is characterized as modest, gentle, and coy.
- She is known for being devout and uses light oaths, referring to Saint Loy.
- The Prioress is referred to by her name, Madame Eglantine.
- She has a melodious and pleasant singing voice.
By following these steps, you should have a clearer understanding of The Prioress' Portrait in The Canterbury Tales.