Figurative Language and Literary Techniques in “The Canterbury Tales” Handout

Satire / A literary work that seeks to criticize and correct the behavior of humans and
their institutions by means of humor, wit, and ridicule a form of Irony (things are
opposite what they seem) and Exaggeration; targetindividual, group, system
Ingredients of Satire / humor, criticism, some kind or moral voice
Forms of Satire / Fantasy, Mock Heroics, Formal Proposal, Praise/Blame
Purpose of Satire / To hold someone up to ridicule as an example to others
Modes of Satire / Parody, Caricature, Exaggeration, Diminutization
Moods in Satire / Gentle/Sympathetic or Biting/Angry
Direct Satire / Directly addresses the reader through the use of satiric persona
Horatian Satire / (Form of Direct) Seeks to correct behavior through the use of gentle humor
Juvenalian Satire / (Form of Direct) More aggressive in its ridicule/more unforgiving in its moral judgement
Indirect Satire / Does not involve direct address; Object of this satire are characters who make
themselves look ridiculous by what they think
Allegory / a work in which the characters and events are to be understood as representing other things and symbolically expressing deeper. Famous allegories: “The Wizard of Oz, Avatar,
Blade Runner, Wall- E
Allusion / A reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history
or another work of literature
Allusion in Canterbury Tales / Chaucer alludes to "The Romance of the Rose"
The Romance of the Rose / A poem set in springtime; introduces the popular medieval topic of dreams
and their significance
"The Romance of the Rose" as an allegory / It is an allegory of courtly love
Rose in "The Romance of the Rose" / yellow hair, radiant forehead, grey eyes, seemly neck
Parody / A work in literature that mimics another work of literature
Framing Narrative / organized as a gathering of people in one place for the exchange of stories.
Each character tells his or her tale and the frame tale progresses in this manner
Conceit / exaggerated comparison in literature; especially a comparison that is extreme or
far-fetched
Fabliau / A medieval verse tale characterized by comic, ribald treatment of themes drawn
from life
Ribald / Course and funny, humorous but rude and vulgar
Jongleur / wandering poet or entertainer in medieval times
Bawdy / obscene; lewd
Extant / Still in existence
Cuckolded / a man whose wife deceives him by having a sexual relationship with another man
Rapacious / greedy or grasping, especially for money