“Father of English Poetry” Geoffrey Chaucer 1343 - 1400 “Father of English Poetry”

History Medieval England was a feudal society England’s ruler was Edward III (until 1377) and then Richard II (both of the House of Plantagenet) Fairs, tournaments, and public executions were the “entertainment” that was available to most people Royalty also participated in tournaments, attended the theater, listened to poetry and music, and danced Also during this time period – various crusades and worries over the plague

Geoffrey Chaucer Son of a merchant in a middle class household He became the page in a royal house, then a soldier, and eventually a diplomat and royal clerk Married a lady-in-waiting to the queen Began writing in his 20s He was considered the greatest English poet during his life Chaucer is buried in Westminster Abbey

Son of vintner; chaussier is French for maker of footwear Held civil service positions Served under three kings (Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV Well-travelled Read English, Latin, Italian, and French His work was popular and respected; although his writing was only a part- time occupation Died October 25, 1400; buried at Poets’ Corner at Westminster Abbey

Language At the time, the language of literature, science, government and religion was Latin and French Poets did not compose in English Chaucer began writing in his twenties Chaucer was the first poet to compose in the vernacular (language of the people) He wrote in Middle English using the heroic couplet, a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables (iambic pentameter)

Images of Geoffrey Chaucer

The Pilgrimage Thomas Becket was made the Archbishop of Canterbury by his friend King Henry II King Henry II wanted more control for the king and less for the church, but Becket refused to agree to laws King Henry II wanted to put into effect that would give him more power over the clergy Becket fled to France, but the two appeared to resolve their dispute in 1170 Becket had excommunicated two bishops for supporting the king and refused to change his decision. The king supposedly said, “What sluggards, what cowards have I brought up in my court, who care nothing for their allegiance to their lord. Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?"

The Pilgrimage (continued) On December 29, four knights arrived at Canterbury, went into the cathedral where Becket had run, and began hacking at him until they split his skull The knights had done the deed to gain favor with the king, but they fell into disgrace There were numerous supposed miracles at the site where Becket was slain and he was canonized by the church Pilgrims transformed Canterbury Cathedral into a shrine, and Becket was a cultist figure for the entirety of the middle ages

Canterbury Cathedral

Vaulted Ceilings

Medieval Stained Glass Windows Removed during Hitler’s WWII air raids

The Canterbury Tales Written by Chaucer in his later years (1386); he never completed writing it; planned 120 tales but only completed 22 This is the best picture we have of 14th century life in England Chaucer may have been inspired by his own pilgrimage to Canterbury The popular genres of romances (tales of chivalry), sermons, fables, and bawdy stories Format - The poem is written in heroic couplets – a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables in each

An actual page from The Canterbury Tales Many of the books from this time are Illuminated Manuscripts

The Canterbury Tales Prologue Middle English 1         Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote 2         The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, 3         And bathed every veyne in swich licour 4         Of which vertu engendred is the flour; 5         Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth 6         Inspired hath in every holt and heeth 7         The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne 8         Hath in the Ram his half cours yronne, 9         And smale foweles maken melodye, 10       That slepen al the nyght with open ye 11       (So priketh hem Nature in hir corages), 12       Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages, 13       And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, 14       To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; 15       And specially from every shires ende 16       Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende, 17       The hooly blisful martir for to seke, 18       That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke.

Essential Terms and information Direct Characterization – Direct statements about a character, such as saying the Knight “followed chivalry,/ Truth, honor…” Indirect Characterization – Uses thoughts, actions, and dialogue to reveal a character’s personality. For example, saying “he was not gaily dressed” implies the Knight is not vain

Essential Terms and information Social Commentary – Writing that offers insight into society, its values, and its customs Satire – Writing that ridicules or holds up to contempt the faults of individuals or groups Anecdote – A brief story Frame Story – A story that is framed by another story

Medieval Class Structure The Canterbury Tales included characters from all levels of society Each character tells a tale that is related to their place in society and/or personalities

The Aristocracy The Knight – chivalrous and honorable The Squire – a lady’s man The Prioress – a delicate, elegant, sentimental nun The Monk – a lover of hunting and fine clothing and jewelry The Friar – a “wealthy beggar” who will do anything for money

The Middle Class The Cook – a chef famous for his white sauce with an oozing sore on his leg The Skipper – a world traveler who is more like a pirate The Physician – a doctor who loved gold The Wife of Bath – a woman who has had five husbands; she is well-dressed and loves to chat

The Virtuous Lower Class The Parson – A poor but virtuous preacher; he is the model clergyman who is humble and devoted to his flock The Plowman – His brother; a hard-working man

The Degraded Lower Class The Miller – a dealer in grain who cheated people The Reeve – an old an irritable estate manager who grew rich at his job The Summoner – an officer of the church who calls people to trial; he was a scary looking drunk who could be bought off The Pardoner – a seller of religious articles who boasts of his cons