The Canterbury Tales Burkett – English IV Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales Burkett – English IV

Born to a middle class family Early Life 1342-1400 Born to a middle class family His father was a wine merchant who believed his child should have a formal education Odd jobs = page, courtier, diplomat, civil servant, scrap metal collector Travelled all over Europe

Later Life Fluent in English, Italian, Latin, and French Worked as a government official under three different kings = high social status Was captured as a POW during the Hundred Year’s War  King paid his ransom Died of unknown causes – murder suspected Chaucer was one of the first writers to be buried in the Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey.

Writing Styles Often called the father of English poetry Most scholars still wrote in Latin Felt English lacked sophistication and had a limited vocabulary Only local stories and ballads written in English He wrote in the vernacular or language of the commoners Now known as Middle English Allegory: A story win which the character, settings, and events stand for abstract or moral concepts. It has a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning. Popular in the Middle Ages. Satire: witty language used to convey insult Rhythmic pattern Lack of alliteration Best known for writing The Canterbury Tales, but also had several other works as well

The Canterbury Tales Although the work was never completed, The Canterbury Tales is considered one of the greatest works in the English language The narrator meets 29 pilgrims at an inn and travels with them to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. They decide to have a contest: whoever can tell the best tale wins a dinner at the inn when they get back, courtesy of the other travelers. Canterbury Tales can be considered “estates satire” Three “Estates” in European feudal society Peasants work (agricultural labor) Clergy pray Nobles fight (and rule) Begun: 1386 Planned: 120 tales Completed: 22 and 2 fragments

Characters Narrator (“Chaucer”) Host Knight Squire Yeoman Prioress Second Nun Three Priests Monk Friar Merchant Clerk Man of Law Franklin Guildsmen Cook Shipman Physician Wife of Bath Parson Plowman Manciple Reeve Miller Summoner Pardoner