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Quiz about Canterbury Tales Chaucers Tale of Sir Topas

Canterbury Tales: Chaucer's "Tale of Sir Topas" Quiz

Step right up! Watch the oh so brave, Sir Topas, fight for the damsel of his desires! The "Tale of Sir Topas" depicts the knight as an almost perfect earthly man. But what happens along the way?

A multiple-choice quiz by BullsGold. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
BullsGold

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
423,660

Updated
Aug 26 26

# Qns
10

Difficulty
New Game

Plays
5

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (10/10), DizWiz (10/10), samak (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page

Question 1 of 10

1. This prologue has host Bailly pleading for the next teller, Chaucer himself, to build up the crowd of pilgrims who just heard a sorrowful tale. Who was the sad story about that they had just heard? Hint

Hugh of Lincoln

Helen of Troy

Jesus of Nazareth

Paul of Tarsus

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Question 2 of 10

2. Our knight, one named Sir Topas - with a face as fine as white bread - had a father who was of honor and nobility, and lord in a distant Flemish country. Where did Sir Topas come from? Hint

Ypres, Belgium

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Liege, Belgium

Poperinge, Belgium

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Question 3 of 10

3. For the listener to get a better idea of what Sir Topas looked like, Chaucer descibes him as a "doughty" lad, with lips like a red rose. He describes his hair and beard colored of saffron gold. But his shoes. What type of leather were his shoes made from? Hint

Corinthian

Cordovan

Cuir Bouilli

Parchment

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Question 4 of 10

4. We also hear of how Sir Topas is a skilled hunter, especially for deer, and that his traits as an archer are impeccable as well. What other talent does Chaucer say he possesses? Hint

throwing die (dice)

great wrestler

mountain climbing

powerful swimmer

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Question 5 of 10

5. Chaucer is very sneaky in the way he uses words. He references the Prioress' tale as being told as a "pearl", and now that Chaucer is telling his tale he wants to add his own "gem" in the next story. What gem is Chaucer trying to "peddle" in his tale? Hint

sapphire

emerald

ruby

topaz

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Question 6 of 10

6. Chaucer describes the handsome knight's character as being virtuous, and someone who did not carouse (with women). He is also compared to which type of a rose? Hint

red

antique

bourbon

dog

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Question 7 of 10

7. Not only did the maids in the territory all yearn for the young knight, but the birds of the field were also happy because of his presence. Which fowl did Chaucer *not* mention in this story? Hint

Starlings

Parrot

Thrush

Sparrowhawk

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Question 8 of 10

8. Sir Topas is starting to show some narcistic behaviours. The boringly beautiful knight seems like he can't see himself with just any mortal woman. So who does he desire instead? Hint

Griselda

Lady Athena

An elf-queen

Alisoun

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Question 9 of 10

9. Sir Topas is now in search of the object of his desire. It seems like none of the fair maidens on earth matter. Where does the knight have to travel to find his true love? Hint

Temple of Venus

Fairy

Garden of Athens

The Shipwreck Coast

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Question 10 of 10

10. So we now know that Sir Topas has met up with a three-headed giant in Fairyland. Evidently this giant wants to protect his Queen of Fairyland. What is the name of the giant? Hint

Basilisk

Olifaunt

Bonnacon

Centaur

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Hugh of Lincoln

The Prioress has just told a story of a young eight year old boy killed just for singing a hymn, suppossedly by Jews. The Jewish people, however, did not kill him. Chaucer purposefully parallels his tale with the real life story of Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln, who was found dead in a well in the year 1255, killed in a ritualistic manner inspired by Jesus Christ's death. Now Chaucer has to lift up the souls of the pilgrims with his story of the "Tale of Sir Topas".

2. Our knight, one named Sir Topas - with a face as fine as white bread - had a father who was of honor and nobility, and lord in a distant Flemish country. Where did Sir Topas come from?

Answer: Poperinge, Belgium

Poperinge, interesting enough, is still a town in Belgium today. In the 14th century it was known even then for its importance in fashion, making the knight someone of noticeable detail. Chaucer spends a lot of time initially in the tale to tell the listener of what Sir Topas looked like. Chaucer doesn't use the word Belgium, but instead talks of Flanders.

Answer: Cordovan

He wore a robe made of silken gold. And we mustn't forget about his socks which were from Bruges, Belgium. Chaucer goes to great detail to have us undertand just how debonaire this guy is. Cordoba is a city in Spain where fine leathers have been created for many centuries. In Spanish, Cordovan is known as cordwain, a fine Spanish leather.

4. We also hear of how Sir Topas is a skilled hunter, especially for deer, and that his traits as an archer are impeccable as well. What other talent does Chaucer say he possesses?

Answer: great wrestler

There was no one his peer in regards to wrestling. None of the other mentioned options listed were part of the tale. He is known to have won many a ram as prizes for his efforts. And many a maiden wanted his love too.

Answer: topaz

The pearl signifies the true nature of purity, and Chaucer takes a somewhat humorus look at making us believe Sir Topas (Topaz) is as virtuous as the image of the Prioress. He is not, as we shall see shortly. Thankfully Chaucer warns us that his rambling might happen again, whereas the Host warns him to start bringing it, or else.

6. Chaucer describes the handsome knight's character as being virtuous, and someone who did not carouse (with women). He is also compared to which type of a rose?

Answer: dog

Sir Topas is compared to the dog rose. He was said to be as sweet as the brambled flower (blackberry). This rose carried red hips if the past blooms were not cut off. The Dog-rose is a five petaled rose. Very simple and elegant. It is also known as Rosa canina.

7. Not only did the maids in the territory all yearn for the young knight, but the birds of the field were also happy because of his presence. Which fowl did Chaucer *not* mention in this story?

Answer: Starlings

The starling is known as a perching bird, with over 125 varieties worldwide.

As you can see Chaucer is trying to let the listener or reader be a part of the outdoor scene. The birds are all singing now and giving the young knight the perfect setting to fall in love. But no, starlings were not part of the scene. So we have the knight looking for love, but who does he want to court?

8. Sir Topas is starting to show some narcistic behaviours. The boringly beautiful knight seems like he can't see himself with just any mortal woman. So who does he desire instead?

Answer: An elf-queen

The Sir Topas figuretype is one that has been seen before in other stories. Sir Galahad was described in much the same way. The pilgrims are now hearing about this knight who seems to have everything, which is everything the pilgrims don't have, and most will never have.

The sounds from the thrush excite the young knight. Sir Topas has a dream and falls in love with an immaginary elf-queen.

9. Sir Topas is now in search of the object of his desire. It seems like none of the fair maidens on earth matter. Where does the knight have to travel to find his true love?

Answer: Fairy

Evidently there is a country named Fairy somewhere. Or, maybe "fairy" is a place in one's mind. Seems like Sir Topas is having a period between being awake and sleep. Anyway, now that he is there he meets a three-headed giant who he has a tassle with. Chaucer has a tendency to make fun of situations like this in many of his tales.

10. So we now know that Sir Topas has met up with a three-headed giant in Fairyland. Evidently this giant wants to protect his Queen of Fairyland. What is the name of the giant?

Answer: Olifaunt

Doesn't Olifaunt sound a little bit like "elephant"? It's also interesting that Chaucer doesn't call Olifaunt a monster, but instead calls him a giant. By the end of the story we find out the Sir Topas isn't as brave as he wants us to believe, nor is Olifaunt, whose greatest task to date is to throw some stones at the "brave" knight.

Source: Author BullsGold

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