An Introduction to Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400) English author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat, & courtier One of the greatest narrative poets of English literature Father of the English poetry, who made a crucial contribution to English literature How? Wrote in English at a time when much court poetry was still written in Anglo-Norman or Latin

1357: Served as a page to Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster, from which he learned the ways of court and the use of arms. 1359–1360: With the army of Edward III in France, where he was captured by the French but released for a ransom 1373: Traveled to Picardy as part of a military expedition and visited Genoa and Florence.

1374+: Held a number of official positions, among them comptroller of customs on furs, skins, and hides for the port of London (1374–1386) and clerk of the king's works (1389–1391). Oct. 25, 1400: Died. Buried in Westminster Abbey (an honor for a commoner), in what has since become the Poets' Corner.

Body of Works The Canterbury Tales Book of the Duchess The House of Fame The Parliament of Fowles The Legend of Good Women Troilus and Criseyde

Essential Questions How does Chaucer’s portrayal of social classes teach the reader about humanity? How does Chaucer’s portrayal of the Wife of Bath teach the reader about gender roles in his society? How does Chaucer play with the idea of morality? How are Chaucer’s tales relevant today?

The General Prologue On an April evening, the poet drops in the Tabard Inn, where he meets 29 other pilgrims all ready for a sixty-mile journey to Canterbury. Because of the long and tedious journey, the host of the inn suggests that they should color the journey by telling stories. The best story-teller would be treated with a fine meal at the cost of all the rest. There are 30 pilgrims, including the poet. According to Chaucer's plan, there should have been 120 stories altogether. However, only 24 tales were written due to the author’s death in 1400.

The Canterbury Tales -----one of the most famous works in all of literature----

Function of General Prologue Presents a vivid collection of character sketches. Reveals Chaucer’s intention in bringing together a great variety of people and narrative material together. Sets the tone for the story-telling: grateful acceptance of life make clear the plan for the tales motivate the telling of several tales introduce the pilgrims, the time, and occasion of the pilgrimage

Social Class and Convention The Pilgrims span the whole range of the unofficial middle class. Groups represented are: Upper class (Knight, Squire, church people) Learned professions (Physician, Man of Law) Landed gentry (Franklin) Medieval manor people (Miller, Reeve) Mercantile class (Shipman, Merchant) Guildsmen (Haberdasher, Dyer, etc.) Laborer (Plowman)

The tales constantly reflect the conflict between classes. Convention is followed when the Knight begins the game with a tale, as he represents the highest social class in the group. However, when he is followed by the Miller, who represents a lower class, it sets the stage for the Tales to reflect both a respect for and a disregard for upper class rules.

Conflicted Times The Catholic Church was in the midst of the Great Schism and, though it was still the only Christian authority in Europe, was the subject of heavy controversy.

Pope collecting heavier & heavier taxes from England Political maneuvering among English bishops against Roman control As English kings gained power, they began to resist power of church. English church full of ignorant priests & corrupt officials simony, indulgences, abuse of church courts & positions Common person unschooled & illiterate: couldn’t dispute religious leaders John Wycliffe (1328-84): English theologian and religious reformer Rejected biblical basis of papal power and disputed doctrine of the transubstantiation Translated first English Bible from Latin Vulgate

Why go to Canterbury? To pay religious homage at the place where Saint Thomas Becket was martyred (1170 AD) by three knights of King Henry II over sins Henry had committed and over the rights and privileges of the Church Several characters in the Tales are religious figures, and the very nature of the pilgrimage to Canterbury is deeply religious, making this a outstanding theme of the work.

The Pilgrim’s Route

Canterbury Cathedral Where Saint Thomas Becket Was Killed

Chaucer’s Style Chaucer’s poetry is plainly narrative. Everything is based on reality. Wrote in current English (well, what we call Middle English) Chaucer’s diction is vivid and exact. Master of word pictures

Structure & Style Tales have different tones, attitudes, poetic style: Marian (related to the Virgin Mary) miracle tale for Prioress Sermonic structure for Pardoner’s tale Supernatural, folkloric tale for Wife of Bath Point of View Chaucer enables reader to see story, person telling story, point behind story--all at once points of view represent different outlooks, morals Sources: virtually every type of medieval writing Fabliaux (naughty & comedic), mini-epics, romances, fables, exempla (used to make a point in an argument or to illustrate a moral truth), anecdotes, sermons, religious allegories.

Chaucer’s Attitude/Tone Five ideals, Chaucer treats seriously (Knight, Squire, Clerk, Parson, Plowman); Some he pokes fun at (Prioress, Monk, Wife of Bath); Some is quiet about; short portraits with now personal view coming through (Prioress's entourage); Some not very good; Chaucer is just a little negative (Shipman, Manciple (person in charge of the purchase and storage of food at an institution such as a college or monastery)); Hardened sinners, all of them religious officials (Friar, Pardoner, Summoner)

The General Prologue – the Way Chaucer Wrote It – Click on black space to hear it.

The Lord’s Prayer in Old English (11th Century)