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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper compares the duties of an actual Reeve to the way Chaucer describes this character, and argues that the portrayal is inaccurate. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVchreev.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
as presented by Chaucer is actually a good example of what a reeve is supposed to be. Discussion The short answer is no, the Reeve of Chaucers tale is not
what a Reeve should be. A bit of history will help understand the differences. When the Normans conquered England they brought what was essentially French culture with them (The choleric
reeve, 2000). In 1066 after the Battle of Hastings, "a new noble class formed and ... the English nobility was almost entirely displaced" (The choleric reeve, 2000). As time went
on, the nobles began to consider themselves entirely English, and they reestablished English culture and language, including literature, which is where Chaucer comes in. In The Canterbury Tales, he describes
"thirty ordinary characters doing ordinary things in a Middle English society" (The choleric reeve, 2000). A reeve in England at this time acts as "the manager of a manor estate,
overseeing the protection and maintenance of the pastures, fields, and woods belonging to the lord of the estate" (The choleric reeve, 2000). The reeve, as befits a person of this
standing, should be "honest and dignified"; he should also have the trust of his master, since hes responsible for running the estate (The choleric reeve, 2000). The reeve must also
be exceptionally trustworthy because he collects rents (in services and goods) from those who live and farm "on any portion of the estate" (The choleric reeve, 2000). The reeve, then,
is a man of some substance, honest and trustworthy, with an extremely responsible position in society. Hes a person of some status, which is reflected in his appearance. Is this
Chaucers reeve? Hardly. Hes old, skinny and sloppy, but thats not the worst; hes vindictive and vengeful, not anything like the responsible reeve who manages an estate. Instead, he sets
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