THE ABBOT OF CANTERBURY
Q1): What in your opinion is the message of the Poem, "The Abbot of Canterbury"?
Ans: A person generally thought as foolish can sometimes teach the wise men wit. Wisdom is a divine
endowment. Sometimes educated person can be devoid of intelligence needed to solve practical
problems of life which can only be solved with the experiences of life. Education is mere requirement of
life and to lead a contented life but wisdom is not bound of education.
Q2): Who was the king of England at the time of story and how did he reign?
Ans: King John who ruled with power and unfair manners was the king of England at that time. He ruled
from 1199 to 1216A.D and due to his cruelty he was disliked by the people of England.
Q3): What is an Abbot?
Ans: An Abbot means Bishop or the highest official of a local church (a high rank in Christian religion).
Q4): Why was the King John afraid and hostile to the Abbot of Canterbury?
Ans: Abbot of Canterbury was leading a life far superior than King John which when heard by the king,
made him feel hostile against Abbot. King John called Abbot to his court and accused him of treason
against the throne.
Q5): What had Abbot to do in order save himself from being slaughtered?
Ans: Abbot had to provide the answers of three questions asked by King John in the given time of three
weeks to be saved from being behead.
Q6): Why Abbot rode to Oxford and Cambridge?
Ans: Abbot went to Oxford and Cambridge as those were the homes of literate, intellectual and wise
people and he wanted to ask for the answers of the question King John had asked.
Q7): What did the shepherd proposed to do?
Ans: Shepherd proposed that he would go to answer the question and resolve the dispute among King
and Abbot as he not only knew the answers of the questions but he would pretend as Abbot, so no one
in London will know that he isn't the real Abbot.
Q8): How did the Shepherd justify valuing King John at twenty nine pence? How did he know the
answer of third question?
Ans: Shepherd said that it is said that Jesus Christ was sold among the Jews for thirty pence and the
value of king should not be more or equal to the Christ. So he evaluated as one penny less at twenty
nice pence. The Shepherd had an idea that the King must be under impression that the Abbot is
answering the questions as he used his disguise to answer the questions.
Q9): How did king behave on finding out that he had been deceived by a poor shepherd?
Ans: When King John came to know that he had been deceived by a poor shepherd, he unexpectedly got
amused and showed his joy while laughing and forgiving the shepherd.
Q10): How did the shepherd excuse himself from being made Abbot in place of his master?
Ans: Shepherd told King that he was an illiterate and can neither write nor read so he should be excused
for being Abbot in place of his master.
Q11): How did the real Abbot benefit from his shepherd's bold tricks?
Ans: The Abbot succeeded in saving his life and getting pardon from King John by the help of his
shepherd.
Q12): What were the questions asked by the King?
Ans: The King asked the Abbot three questions:
1. What is my worth among my liege and crown of gold on head?
2. In how much time I can travel around the world?
3. What am I thinking at the moment?
Q13): What intelligent answers were given by the Shepherd to the king?
Ans: The Shepherd provided intelligent answers to the king as:
1. Your worth is one penny lesser than the savior.
2. If you get up with and ride with the sun, you will complete the round in 24 hours.
3. You are thinking that I am Abbot of Canterbury but I am his poor shepherd who came to ask pardon
for Abbot.
