The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) Dominant literary figure in the 14th century Varied life experiences --child of wealthy wine merchant --servant in a royal household --spoke French, Latin, & Italian --Soldier & diplomat --member of Parliament

The Language Went against tradition when he wrote in Middle English rather than French Considered “Father of the English Language” because he went against the norm and chose to write in the language of the people (the vernacular)

The Story Twenty nine people all aspects of Medieval society pilgrimage to the cathedral Canterbury

Main cathedral of the Church of England Shrine to the martyr Saint Thomas a Becket

The story format Characters to pay respects to this shrine Meet at a tavern to begin The host of the tavern (innkeeper) suggests that the pilgrims each tell a story on the way to entertain the group.

Background of these tales Chaucer started writing in late 1300’s but never finished all 4 tales for each of the 29 characters before his death Wrote about all classes to give us a glimpse of English society at the time But he also pointed out the flaws of society

Format of the poetry Frame story: many stories are “framed” in the larger story of the 29 characters’ pilgrimage to Canterbury.

Format of the poetry General Prologue: description of characters & set-up of frame story Prologue before each tale: character speaking Characters’ tales (to win the contest)

Direct Characterization– creating a character by directly identifying his/her personality traits. Indirect characterization – creating a character by allowing the reader to interpret personality traits from the character’s actions and speech.

1 When April with its sweet-smelling showers 2 Has pierced the drought of March to the root, 3 And bathed every vein (of the plants) in such liquid 4 By which power the flower is created; 5 When the West Wind also with its sweet breath, 6  In every wood and field has breathed life into 7 The tender new leaves, and the young sun 8 Has run half its course in Aries, 9 And small fowls make melody, 1 Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote                 2 The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, 3 And bathed every veyne in swich licour 4 Of which vertu engendred is the flour;               5 Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth                   6 Inspired hath in every holt and heeth           7 The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne                   8 Hath in the Ram his half cours yronne,                   9 And smale foweles maken melodye,                  

10 That slepen al the nyght with open ye 11 (So priketh hem Nature in hir corages), 12 Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages, 13 And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, 14 To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; 15   And specially from every shires ende 16 Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende, 17 The hooly blisful martir for to seke, 18 That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke. 10 Those that sleep all the night with open eyes 11 (So Nature incites them in their hearts), 12  Then folk long to go on pilgrimages, 13  And professional pilgrims to seek foreign shores, 14  To distant shrines, known in various lands; 15  And specially from every shire's end 16  Of England to Canterbury they travel, 17  To seek the holy blessed martyr, 18  Who helped them when they were sick.