Canterbury Tales By: Geoffrey Chaucer
Background Chaucer’s claim to fame – Father of English Literature Three great writers; Chaucer, Shakespeare, John Milton
Background continued… Chaucer – first to write in Peasant language 3 Dominate Languages: Latin = Church French = King and Court English = Peasant Chaucer wrote in English, a page (gofer) family rising middle class family – made a difference
Structure of Canterbury Tales Frame Story – a collection of short stories A pilgrimage to Canterbury
Chaucer’s Plan Selected 32 Random people Met at London, traveled 50 miles to Canterbury. Trip of a lifetime, religious reason? 10 horses shared; 4-5 day trip
Purpose of trip ….. Storytelling to pass the time Each told 4 stories; 2 on the way there, 2 on the way back A contest, winner enjoys lunch at the pub in Bath, once arrived