Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales

Picture of pilgrimage from stained glass in Canterbury Cathedral Geoffrey Chaucer 1340?-1400

Chaucer’s Life and Times “Father of English poetry”—father of English literature Vivid description of fourteenth century England Well rounded individual—of the rising middle class Job as page in household that socialized with court of King Edward III. Loyal to country was a soldier in France, courtier, diplomat, civil administrator, and translator

Important influence Reputation as a man of the world firmly established Develped English language for literature English was not recognized in upper classes in the past, but was now beginning to be widely used French and Latin language of upper class/clergy/universities—but began to change helped by Chaucer using it in his writing/poetry London speech of the day=late Middle English

The Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue 1386-most extensive and ambitious work FRAME STORY: a frame (or context) upon which a set of tales to be based Frame for C.T is a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral to the shrine of Thomas a Becket, where a group of people go to a religious shrine to seek miraculous cures, forgiveness for sins, go on a trip Different classes of people with different occupations would go

Using the journey, multiple classes/occupations brought together Good idea of different aspects of Medieval society can be determined by reading The Canterbury Tales Using the journey, multiple classes/occupations brought together FUEDAL ECCLESIASTICAL URBAN Feudal System-of the land: Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Franklin, Reeve, Miller, and Plowman Ecclesiastical-of the church: Parson, Summoner, Monk, Prioress, Friar, Pardoner, Student Urban-professional/mercantile: Physician, Lawyer, Manciple, Merchant, Shipman, tradesmen, cook, Wife of Bath (clothmaker), Innkeeper

Chaucer died in 1400 before he had finished The Canterbury Tales—instead of 124 stories originally intended—only 24 completed (THANK GOODNESS!!) First collection of short stories in English lit—BUT they are written in poetry rather than prose Chaucer is shown to be Profoundly understanding of human motivation Socially aware—his comments on social issues of his time comic/ironic/satirical Generally kind-hearted and sympathetic