A Study of The Canterbury Tales Exploring Canterbury A Study of The Canterbury Tales
Table of Contents The Journey Begins . . . England in the Middle Ages Focus question Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales Travelers to Canterbury Chaucer’s Middle Ages Population Sir Gawain and the Green Knight The Green Knight Sir Gawain Works Cited
The Journey Begins . . . In October 1066, a daylong battle near Hastings, England, changed the course of history.
England in the Middle Ages Feudalism replaced the Nordic social system. The primary duty of males above the serf class was to serve in the military—Knighthood. Women had no political rights. Chivalry and courtly love served as the system of social codes
England in the Middle Ages Lower, middle, and upper-middle classes developed in the cities.
England in the Middle Ages The Crusades extended from 1095-1270. They brought contact with Eastern mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and crafts.
England in the Middle Ages The Magna-Carta defeated papal central power.
England in the Middle Ages The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) was the first national war waged by England.
England in the Middle Ages The Black Death (1348-1349) brought the end of the Middle Ages. Fleas on rats carried the bubonic plague which killed thousands of people. in Europe.
Geoffrey Chaucer c. 1343-1400 Considered the father of English poetry Wrote in the vernacular Served as a soldier, government servant, and member of Parliament Introduced iambic pentameter First writer buried in Westminster Abbey
Brief Bio Considered by many as the most important writer of MIDDLE ENGLISH Son of a middle class wine merchant Enjoyed the favor of the nobility 1357 – Entered the service of countess of Ulster, Elizabeth. John of Gaunt became one of his chief patrons 1367 – Granted a life pension by the king
Bio Cont’d. In addition to being a writer he was also: Controller of Customs A justice of the peace A member of Parliament A Clerk of the King’s Works His duties as a public servant afforded him travel opportunities that would later serve him in his own writings
Lit Terms Frame Story & Sarcasm Frame Story: A story that is the vehicle for the telling of other stories The Neverending Story The Princess Bride Bedtime Stories Sarcasm: The use of irony to mock or convey contempt It literally means to “tear flesh” Can this be a good or viable form of literature?
The Canterbury Tales: Snapshot of an Age Frame Story - It frames a story of characters on a religious pilgrimage to Canterbury - External story: Pilgrims traveling to Canterbury who must tell a moral tale - Internal story: Various moral tales told by the pilgrims 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 characters tell stories that reflect “everyman” in the universal pilgrimage of life.
Chaucer’s Snapshot of the Middle Ages Population
Works Cited Home Brown, Ian. “The Green Knight.” 2002. May 16, 2003 <http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/gawmenu.htm>. “Geoffrey Chaucer.” Elements of Literature Sixth Course. Ed. Robert R. Hoyt. Austin, 1977. T99. Pyle, Howard. “Sir Gawain the Son of Lot, King of Orkney.” 1903. May 16, 2003 <http://wwwlib.rochester.edu/camelot/gawmenu.htm>. “The Canterbury Tales: A Snapshot of an Age.” Elements of Literature Sixth Course. Ed. Robert R. Hoyt. Austin, 1977. T101-T104.