Vishu saw the picture and was quiet blank. She didn't really understand the question. She had seen the picture before.

"Seeing as no-one seems to know, I'll tell you. It comes from the presentation copy of Hoccleve's The Regement of Princes which was produced in the 1410's. The text suggests this is an accurate portrayal of Chaucer which was painted just a few years after his death."

With a swish of her wand, the slide changed and the next picture appeared.

"Can anyone tell me what language features in this image?"

Jade raised her hand to take a guess, "Is it Italian, Professor?"
She was thinking of Chaucer's visit to Italy in 1372-73 and 1378.

She raises her hand. "It seems like Old English, or maybe Latin. But I'm more inclined to say Old English."

Llewellyn watched as she took Ganymede's hat and silently wondered to himself what Ganymede had done to break any rules. Looking back at the picture, he raised a hand, and asked quietly when called, "Is it middle English professor?"

"Cherry is correct. It is old English. 3 points to Ravenclaw." With another quick tap of her wand, the next slide slid into place, shinning on the board.

"What popular Chaucer theme does this picture represent?"

Vishu sliently noted that down. She heard what the professor said and thought for a moment.

Jade raised her hand, "Courtly love."

OOC - Read the New Hogwarts Code of Conduct which was introduced at the beginning of the term. Clothing restrictions apply.

"Correct Jade. 2 points to Gryffindor. Now, in order to elaborate, can anyone explain the traditions of courtly love? They were featured in many of Chaucers writings, including The Knight's Tale."

Jade raised her hand, "Courtly love had certain rules put down. For example, what gifts a woman could except from her lover. Also, courtly love was often between a married woman and a single man, thus adding a certain flare to the love because both know if they are caught they would surely be punished. A great example of this is Sir Lancelot and Guinevere. There were also men who sang songs of courtly love around this time in the middle ages. They traveled around, singing their love for the woman the could not have."

Llewellyn narrowed his eyes considerably at the professor and then collected himself and raised his hand politely, waiting to be called on.

Vishu raised her hand, "This term refers to a phenomenon of the late middle ages when women were accorded an almost religious status, and the act of seeking a woman’s favor took on the flavor of a religious quest. Ironically, however, while women seem to be central to the story, in fact they do absolutely nothing. The point of these stories was to show how women for men represented a metaphor for the man’s relationship with the divine, and consequently in these works women function as completely static works of art."

She hoped she was correct and didn't get confused or anything

"Very good Jade!" she exclaimed. "A further 10 points to Gryffindor." Another slide slipped into place.

"Which of Chaucer's works does this picture refer to?"



Noticing Llewellyn's hand raised, she nodded for him to speak.

She was also heavily impressed with Vishu's interpretation. "Highly accurate," she nodded, "Women were worshipped by these men, often song to or read poems to. However, in accordance with tradition, the wooing of the fair maiden never involved any physical contact. 10 points also to Slytherin."

Jade stared at the picture, but couldn't figure out the answer.

Llewellyn lowered his hand, "First, I believe the picture is from the Nun's Priest's Tale, concerning the poem of Chanticleer and the Fox. Second, the manuscript picture you showed us, are you sure it's Old English? I respectfully believe it's Middle English professor. It's from one of the script facsimiles, which were written in Middle English."

Vishu raised her hand " The picture refers to the Chanticleer and the Fox" she said

"You are right on the first count Llewellyn, however," she added, heat arising in her cheeks. "You are shamefully wrong on the second. I suggest you re-read my classroom rules; it is intolerable to try and challenge a Professor's authority. Therefore, I award you no house points for your correct answer due to your nerve."

Slightly miffed, she shook her wand a bit too hard, causing some slides to slip to the floor. Sighing, she picked them up and made another roll into place.

"Which tale does this image depict?"

Selena just watched Professor Shwmae lose control. Selena wanted to laugh, but she kenw she'd lose points for it, so she just sat there. "I have no clue what this is" Selena thought to herself as she waited for the correct answer.

Vishu wondered if the professor heard her answer on the previous question she answered to. She looked at the current picture and stared blankly at it.

Mithos was so busy gazing at Miss Shwmae's beauty he couldn't even pay attention to class. This was the best Muggle Studies class ever... He blinked and looked at the picture but he had no clue of what that was.

Llewellyn mumbled to himself and started writing on his parchment. He leaned his head on his hand and looked up at the slides, wondering when class would be done.

^ OOC - She did Vishu but someone else answered before you sweetie.

Deciding perhaps no-one knew, she let the question hang in the air as she switched off the projector. "Can someone open the curtains please?" she asked aloud, as she walked around to the back of her desk, sitting in the chair.

"Now we'll cover some aspects of the mans life. Please copy the following notes down."

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London in the early 1340's, the son of John and Agnes Chaucer. Geoffrey's father became a very prosperous wine merchant. He supplied wine to the king's cellar and supervised imports from France. His wealth and advantages meant he could provide his son with many things beginning with Geoffrey's role as a page in the royal household.

"Can anyone describe to me the role of a page, in mediaeval times?"

Mithos. Sorry, I will be a good teacher and stop OOCing.

Jade raised her hand, "A page was a step in becoming a knight. A boy would live with a knight and assisted him. They would also learn to battle."

Selena wasn't sure if Ms. Shwmae was speaking English or not, but remained there with a blank expression.