Geoffrey Chaucer: Second only to Shakespeare! A Look at Medieval Social Classes & Chaucer’s Society

Geoffrey Chaucer: (1340?-1400) Acclaimed as the “father of English literature” Served his country loyally as courtier, diplomat, civil administrator, & translator By using the language of English, instead of the more fashionable French, Chaucer added tremendously to its prestige & set an example that was followed thereafter.

Canterbury Tales Show characters in simple roles Offer a contrast to the Courtly Romance Substitute Men and Women of Lower Rank as the Main Characters

Chaucer’s Most Important Contributions: He developed the English language for literary purposes: his Midland dialect is the one which developed into Modern English. In the “Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer gives the best picture of life in 14th Century England. In his work, he comments on both his characters and on some of the most critical social problems of the day.

Chaucer’s Writing Style Vivid and realistic yet easy and informal Though The Canterbury Tales is often referred to as the first collection of short stories in English literature, these stories, unlike the modern short story, are written in poetry rather than in prose. In his role as narrator, Chaucer maintains an air of personal detachment; his appreciation of the individuality of his characters affords an honest and objective account of each of them.

Chaucer’s Structural Device: In Chaucer’s day it was customary throughout Europe for members of all social classes to travel to religious shrines to seek miraculous cures, to gain remission of their sins, or simply to satisfy their desire to travel and wander. The FRAME STORY (a story within a story) As the frame around which to group his tales, Chaucer chose a a springtime pilgrimage to the shrine of Sir Thomas Becket.

Chaucer’s Plan for The Canterbury Tales: An ambitious plan: each pilgrim was to tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two stories on the return journey to London. Chaucer died, however, before this plan was realized, and he was only able to write twenty-four of his proposed one hundred twenty-four stories.

Medieval Class System King Knight Noble Cleric Merchant Serf A class purely by himself – the highest ranking official Mounted warriors who became the chief code of chivalry. Fighting – a way of life & a way to move up the social ladder Wealthy & powerful landowners who ran day-to-day political & social life. Usually lived lavishly Men & women of the church who became powerful & they acquired land & property This class came to be because of increasing sheep/wool trade – held most promise for improving one’s life: as it grew in size it gained power Lowest class – laborers dependent on the lords & tied to the land, did chores maintain-ing daily life

Chaucer’s Choice of the Frame Story: Gave the advantage of being able to present a cross-section of medieval society. He drew his characters from the three most important groups of his day: feudal, clerical, & the merchant.

Chaucer’s THREE Periods French (Early – 1372) French love of skill Italian (1372-1385) Influence of Dante and Boccacio English (1385-1400) Canterbury Tales