HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY MID -TERM TEST ON ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE FOR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH (No 1) Subject Code: EN16 Full name: ……………………………… Date of birth: ……………………………… Group: …………………………………… I Answer the following questions: (50 points ) What new tendencies were noticeable in the cultural life of England of the 5th century and where did they come from? What can you say about the composition of the Canterbury Tales? What are the characters of the Canterbury Tales? (The file sent will be named after each student’s name Plagiarism will lead to failure) The cultural life of England in the 5th century saw significant changes due to influences from various sources During this time, the Anglo-Saxons migrated to England and brought their own traditions and cultural elements The integration of the Anglo-Saxon culture with the existing Celtic and Roman cultures contributed to the emergence of new artistic and literary forms The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century The composition is a frame narrative, where a group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury engage in a storytelling contest to pass the time Each pilgrim narrates a tale, resulting in a diverse collection of stories that encompass various genres and themes The Canterbury Tales features a wide range of characters representing different social classes, professions, and personalities Some of the notable characters include the Knight, the Wife of Bath, the Miller, the Pardoner, the Nun's Priest, and the Prioress, among others Chaucer's portrayal of these characters provides insight into the social fabric and complexities of medieval England II Comments (50 points ) What are your comments on the contents and significance of the works “The Canterbury Tales”? "The Canterbury Tales" is a significant and timeless literary work written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century The collection consists of 24 tales, framed within a pilgrimage narrative where a diverse group of pilgrims from various social backgrounds travel to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury During their journey, the pilgrims engage in a storytelling contest to entertain and pass the time The contents of "The Canterbury Tales" are rich and varied, reflecting the diversity of medieval English society Chaucer skillfully portrays a wide range of characters, each representing different social classes, professions, and personality traits Through these characters, he satirizes and critiques various aspects of medieval life, including social norms, religious practices, and moral values The tales cover a wide range of genres, from romance and comedy to tragedy and morality tales One of the significant aspects of "The Canterbury Tales" is its portrayal of the complexities and contradictions of human nature Chaucer's characters are often multidimensional, with both virtues and vices, making them relatable and realistic The work highlights the universal themes of love, betrayal, greed, and ambition, making it relevant and resonant across generations Moreover, "The Canterbury Tales" is considered a landmark in the development of English literature Chaucer's use of the English vernacular, instead of Latin or French, was instrumental in establishing English as a legitimate literary language His writing style, wit, and storytelling techniques have had a lasting influence on subsequent generations of writers Furthermore, the work provides valuable insights into the social, cultural, and religious aspects of medieval England It offers a glimpse into the customs, beliefs, and practices of the time, making it an important historical document In conclusion, "The Canterbury Tales" is a masterpiece that continues to captivate readers for its entertaining narratives, insightful characterizations, and portrayal of medieval life Its significance lies not only in its literary merit but also in its contribution to the development of the English language and its portrayal of the complexities of human nature and society Một số yêu cầu: + Sinh viên nộp file word lên hệ thống + Ghi rõ mã đề làm Chú ý: + Chế tài xử lý phát có chép ( VD: phát chép làm sinh viên không công nhận nhận điểm 0….) + Giảng viên trao đổi, nhận xét góp ý cho làm sinh viên diễn đàn buổi Vclass (SV tham gia lớp Vclass đầy đủ để giải đáp)