The Canterbury Tales By Geoffrey Chaucer

England in the Middle Ages Lower, middle, and upper- middle classes developed in the cities. Lower, middle, and upper- middle classes developed in the cities. Chaucer ’ s medieval London had some 40,000 people in its city, until the Black Death swept it just after Chaucer ’ s birth. Chaucer ’ s medieval London had some 40,000 people in its city, until the Black Death swept it just after Chaucer ’ s birth.

Feudalism replaced the Nordic social system Aristocrats: Knight & Squire Aristocrats: Knight & Squire Clergymen: Prioress, Monk, Friar, Nun ’ s Priest, Parson, Summoner, & Pardoner Clergymen: Prioress, Monk, Friar, Nun ’ s Priest, Parson, Summoner, & Pardoner Middle Class: Merchant, Cleric, Sergant-at-Law, Franklin, Reeve, Doctor, Wife of Bath, & narrator Middle Class: Merchant, Cleric, Sergant-at-Law, Franklin, Reeve, Doctor, Wife of Bath, & narrator Trade Class: Guildsmen, Skipper, Manciple, Cook, & host Trade Class: Guildsmen, Skipper, Manciple, Cook, & host Peasant Class: Miller, Plowman, & Yeoman Peasant Class: Miller, Plowman, & Yeoman

Geoffrey Chaucer (c ) Father of English Poetry Father of English Poetry Son of a merchant, page in the royal house, soldier, diplomat, & royal clerk Son of a merchant, page in the royal house, soldier, diplomat, & royal clerk Chaucer intended to write 124 tales, but only completed 24 at the time of his death. Chaucer intended to write 124 tales, but only completed 24 at the time of his death.

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales He began writing in The tales were written in Middle English. He began writing in The tales were written in Middle English. Although easier to read in translation, the poetry has lost some of its beautiful rhythm and rhyme Although easier to read in translation, the poetry has lost some of its beautiful rhythm and rhyme Considered the national epic of England and a snapshot of medieval life Considered the national epic of England and a snapshot of medieval life

Tales: Snapshot of an Era It frames a story of characters on a religious pilgrimage to Canterbury. It frames a story of characters on a religious pilgrimage to Canterbury. The characters are a concise portrait of an entire nation. The characters are a concise portrait of an entire nation. The pilgrimage is a quest narrative that moves from images of spring and awakening to penance, death, and eternal life. The pilgrimage is a quest narrative that moves from images of spring and awakening to penance, death, and eternal life. The characters tell stories that reflect “everyman” in the universal pilgrimage of life. The characters tell stories that reflect “everyman” in the universal pilgrimage of life.

Pilgrimage a sacred, holy journey a sacred, holy journey ideal literary device for Chaucer to assemble a gallery of some of the most interesting and exotic people in England ideal literary device for Chaucer to assemble a gallery of some of the most interesting and exotic people in England pilgrims visit the shrine of St. Thomas á Beckett, a famous English martyr pilgrims visit the shrine of St. Thomas á Beckett, a famous English martyr

Chaucer’s Middle Ages Population

Characterization: Direct and Indirect Characterization is the act of creating and developing the personality of a character. Characterization is the act of creating and developing the personality of a character. Direct Characterization uses direct statements about a character. (e.g. She was kind.) Direct Characterization uses direct statements about a character. (e.g. She was kind.) Indirect Characterization reveals personality through actions, thoughts, and words. (e.g. She carried the elderly man ’ s bags for him.) Indirect Characterization reveals personality through actions, thoughts, and words. (e.g. She carried the elderly man ’ s bags for him.)

Reading Between the Lines Sarcasm: a cutting, often ironic remark. Sarcasm: a cutting, often ironic remark. Irony: the opposite of what is expected. Irony: the opposite of what is expected. Satire: attacking human foolishness with irony, derision, or wit. Satire: attacking human foolishness with irony, derision, or wit. Symbolism: objects or people who represent something. Symbolism: objects or people who represent something.

The Message… Although times and circumstances may change, Human Nature seems to remain the same. Although times and circumstances may change, Human Nature seems to remain the same. The Canterbury Tales is an honest record of real lives and experiences- distinguished by Chaucer ’ s humanity, his humor, and fascination with ordinary people. The Canterbury Tales is an honest record of real lives and experiences- distinguished by Chaucer ’ s humanity, his humor, and fascination with ordinary people.

The General Prologue ales.html