Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. He was a jester and could poetize, But mostly all of sin and ribaldries. Based on its context in the description of the miller, what does the narrator mean by ribaldries?

A. wistful or melancholy

B. insulting or scandalous

C.funny and whimsical

D.boastful or self-aggrandizing

Answer 1

B. insulting or scandalous

A ribald is a sort of mocking that is done in a disgraceful manner. Thus, what the narrator is telling the reader is that while, yes, the person being spoken about is funny (as a jester usually is) and can be lyrical by manner of poetry, the topics of which he sings (or writes poetry) about are demeaning because he focuses on sin which is insulting and scandalous.

Answer 2

The answer is option B: insulting or scandalous.

In the excerpt from "The Canterbury Tales," by Geoffrey Chaucer, the jester can speak in verse or in a poetic style. His poetry talks about immoral acts, considered a violation against God. He also recites about sexual matters and obscenities in a rude but comical way.