Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340(?) – 1400) Born in an age of transition – the 14th Century Witnessed political and social changes in England Son of a wine merchant Bourgeois Class Educated; served in royal households Traveled to France and Italy Fought in the Hundred Years War Captured and ransomed King Edward III helped pay for his release

Chaucer’s Work The nature of his work gave him access to experience and meet people of all levels of society. This is why we see an amalgamation of social classes in The Canterbury Tales Knight’s Tale, Nun’s Tale, Miller’s Tale…and everything in between

Middle English Middle English was the primary language spoken by the population. The Canterbury Tales’ popularity partly leads to Middle English becoming the established language in England. Spoken in the Royal Court and by the Upper Class Therefore, Chaucer is called the “Father of English Literature”

Premise 29 Characters are on a pilgrimage and share their stories. Pilgrimage - A religious journey where pilgrims visit Holy relics Relics – objects, usually the remains of important holy figures, were said to absolve your sins when visited and beheld Beginning from the Tabard Inn, Pilgrims tell 2 tales on their way to the Canterbury Cathedral, and 2 more tales on their way back The best tale earns the orator a reward from the innkeeper and host of the journey Storytelling done by a nun, a knight, a cook, a merchant, a monk, etc. Pilgrimages were common during this time as a result of religious fervor It showed a person’s devotion to their religion Premise

Structure Three Parts General Prologue Characters’ Prologues Characters’ Tales Frame Story Literary device in which a smaller story is told within the context of a tale Chaucer is telling the story of pilgrims; within that, smaller stories are told Heroic Couplets 2 paired lines of poetry in iambic pentameter, pair must rhyme – invented by Chaucer Ex: “You’re off to Canterbury - well, God speed!/Blessed St. Thomas answer to your need!”

The Tales Allegory Story that teaches a moral lesson Characters and the events surrounding them represent abstract qualities and ideas Characters in the Tales are personifications of abstract concepts like envy, greed, etc. Satire Chaucer is critiquing society in the Middle Ages Physiognomy Use of physical appearance and descriptions to suggest a character’s attributes and personalities Ex: Evil archetypes in Disney movies – the villains and their physical characteristics.