Chaucer’s Prologue Middle English

Prologue The conceit of the poem, as set out in the 858 lines of Middle English which make up the general prologue, is that of a religious pilgrimage.

The Frame Chaucer (the host, whose name we find out in the Cook’s Tale is Harry Bailey, the tavern owner), is in the Tabard Inn, in Southwark, where he meets a crew of middle-class folk from various parts of England.

The Frame He suggests that the group travel together and entertain one another with stories. They are all on the way to Canterbury, the site of the shrine of the martyered Saint Thomas à Becket.

Points of Emphases 1. After analysis of his diction and historical context, his work appears to develop a critique against society during his lifetime. The genre of the Canterbury Tales as a whole is a frame narrative or frame tale.

Points of Emphases It satirizes the corruption that occurs within the three medieval social estates: nobility, clergy, and laborers.

Points of Emphases The order in which the pilgrims are introduced places them in a social order: nobility in front, the clergy and craftsmen in the middle, and the laborers at the end.

Points of Emphases 2. Within a number of his descriptions, Chaucer’s comments can appear complimentary in nature, but through clever language the statements are mostly critical of the pilgrim’s actions.

Points of Emphases 3. It appears as though Chaucer creates fictional characters that are general representations of people in such fields of work. Whether or not these representations depict specific people - we do not know for sure.

Points of Emphases 4. With an understanding of medieval society, one can observe subtle literary critiques against members of the community who conduct themselves in ways similar to Chaucer's pilgrims.

The Pilgrim’s Journey from Southwark to Canterbury (about 60 miles)