by Geoffrey Chaucer

Historical Context and Background

Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400) Life and Accomplishments Son of a vintner (wine merchant) page soldier diplomat royal clerk. Began writing Canterbury Tales in 1386 Known as “The Father of English Poetry” Wrote in vernacular English Geoffrey Chaucer was a true Renaissance man, although he was born well before the renaissance is credited to have encompassed England. He was born the son of a wine merchant, part of England’s new emerging middle class, and rose to be one of the most famously recognized and accomplished men of his time. Chaucer first appears in the historical record in 1357, at which time he was functioning as a page to the wife of King Edward III’s second son. In 1359, during the Hundred Years' War, under the kingship of Edward III, Chaucer was part of an invasion force whose purpose it was to reclaim French territories that were previously under England’s control. In 1360, he was captured as a political prisoner and the king himself paid Chaucer’s ransom. After his release he traveled France, Spain, and Flanders (in modern day Belgium), a luxury seldom afforded to anyone other than the wealthy elite. After his travels, he returned to England where he married a lady in waiting to the queen studied law and functioned as a court official to King Edward III. His role is the court was a broad one and he handled everything from domestic affairs to foreign relations and in his capacity as an official traveled extensively across Europe. This guy had serious connections. While during his life he was known for his political accomplishments, he also became known for his writing, and this is the reason he is still known to this day. He was known for many of his literary works including Troilus and Criseyde, Book of the Duchess, and most notably, his most ambitious work, The Canterbury Tales. It is thought that Chaucer began work on his masterpiece in about 1386 (though the true date is uncertain). Chaucer is known as the “Father of English Poetry” because he was the first poet (who did not write anonymously) to write in the vernacular, or common, speech of the people.

Canterbury Cathedral Founded in 597 First permanent religious institution built in England England’s largest church Center of Catholicism in the medieval England The Canterbury Tales derives its name from Canterbury Cathedral. Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, in southwestern England is England’s oldest standing permanent Christian church. In founded in 597 and went through several major renovations during the middle ages. It is seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and currently the primary religious structure within the Anglican Church, or Church of England. However, during the Middle Ages, it home to the Catholic Church and was the largest and powerful Catholic institution in England.

The Martyrdom of Sir Thomas Becket Chancellor under Henry II Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162 “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” 1170 - Murdered by knights of King Henry II in Canterbury Cathedral. Sir Thomas Becket was the high chancellor under the reign of King Henry II, a close personal friend of his. As chancellor, he was in charge of the King’s finances and taxation. At the time, the sources of revenue were exacted from all landowners, including churches and bishoprics. In 1162 Becket was nominated than elected to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury. King Henry II, sought to weaken the power of the church within England so that he could more easily seize and tax church lands and properties, and thought that his former friend and confidant, Becket would help support him on this. He didn’t. In fact, on the contrary, he committed himself 100% to the church and refused to vote in favor of the changes. In a statement, which is most likely apocryphal, Henry is said to have stated in exasperation within earshot of some of his knights: “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” In December of 1170, the knights ambushed Becket in the cathedral at Canterbury and stabbed repeatedly with their swords until he died. Thomas Becket was labeled a Catholic Martyr and every year pilgrims would travel to the spot where Becket died protecting the integrity of the church.

Why go on a pilgrimage? Most common reasons for embarking on pilgrimages to improve chances of salvation gain healing touch supposedly found in saints’ relics atone for sins Other reasons avoid shame of confessing sins at home desire to travel meet new people escape drudgery of daily lives Often, people were attacked or swindled en route; traveling in a group was much safer Discuss each reason.

The Canterbury Tales 30 Pilgrims on the pilgrimage to the cathedral at Canterbury Frame story - stories within a story Chaucer intended to write 120 tales Each traveler is to tell 4 stories (two going, 2 returning) Only 24 tales were completed The Canterbury Tales provides the best contemporary picture we have of 14th century England. The Canterbury Tales was a massive undertaking, and Chaucer never was able to complete his original goal. The story centers around 30 pilgrims (people on a religious journey) as they make there way from London to Canterbury. The idea behind the text is that in order to alleviate the boredom of the long trip, each pilgrim would tell stories to all of the others to pass the time, two on the way there, two on the way back. Chaucer had originally intended for The Canterbury Tales to include a general prologue or introduction, 120 tales and individual prologues introducing each character and their stories. Needless to say, Chaucer did not complete his work. He grew ill and abandoned the work after having only finished 24 tales. However, those that he tales he did complete ranged in genre from romance to saint’s lives, and the characters he creates were from such a broad swath of society that to this day, The Canterbury Tales provides the best contemporary picture we have of 14th century England.

Classes in Society Pilgrims generally fall into 3 major divisions of medieval society Feudal order (Knight and his Squire) The Church / clergy (Monk and Nun) Merchant or professional class (Miller and Guildsmen) The Canterbury Tales includes an incredibly varied cast of characters from all walks of life. (Briefly point out the different social classes, and over the course of the next few slides just make brief reference to the characters.)

The Travelers to Canterbury

The Travelers to Canterbury

The Travelers to Canterbury

General Complexity of The Canterbury Tales Different genres have different views of the world, different vocabularies, and different images for truth Romance- deals with human emotions and relationships Fabliau- deals with the basic human needs of food, sex, or money Saint’s Life- deals with the operations of God Sermons and Ethical Treatises- deals with spiritual matters Each pilgrim spun his/her own unique tale each with its own respective genre. (Discuss each genre)

Manuscripts Written in Middle English Ellesmere Manuscript 240 pages of parchment leaves The most famous manuscript in the English language 1481 first printed edition by William Caxton When The Canterbury Tales was first written down. It would have been composed by hand on vellum, a type of dried animal hide used for writing. This original then would have been copied down, once again by hand, on to parchment for circulation. Manuscripts were frequently embellished with color and artistic designs. Because of the length of time and effort needed to do something like this, books were very expensive and only owned by the elite. Above you can see a copy from the page of what is known as the Ellesmere Manuscript which was a copy of the Canterbury Tales written down on 240 pages of parchment. Because of its beautiful artwork and designs it is by far the most famous manuscript written in the English Language. The Canterbury Tales was also one of the first works in England to by printed by press with the first edition being published by William Caxton in 1481.

Literary Terms

satire A literary mode based on criticism of people and society through ridicule. The satirist aims to reduce the practices attacked by laughing scornfully at them--and being witty enough to allow the reader to laugh, also.  Ridicule, irony, exaggeration, and several other techniques are almost always present.

characterization The method used by a writer to develop a character. The method includes (1) showing the character's appearance, (2) displaying the character's actions, (3) revealing the character's thoughts, (4) letting the character speak, and (5) getting the reactions of others.

frame narrative The result of inserting one or more small stories within the body of a larger story that encompasses the smaller ones. Often this term is used interchangeably with both the literary technique and the larger story itself that contains the smaller ones, which are called "framed narratives" or "embedded narratives."

prologue An introductory section of a literary work. It often contains information establishing the situation of the characters or presents information about the setting, time period, or action. In the "General Prologue" of The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer describes the main characters and establishes the setting and purpose of the work.

hyperbole Exaggeration or overstatement. Example: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. He's as big as a house.

stereotype 1. A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image. 2. One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.

from which to view The Canterbury Tales Perspectives from which to view The Canterbury Tales

The Seven Deadly Sins Pride is an excessive belief in one's own abilities. Envy is wanting what others have, be it status, abilities, or possessions. Gluttony is the desire to eat or consume more than you require. Lust is a powerful craving for such as sex, power and money.  Anger is the loss of rational self-control and the desire to harm others. Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain. Sloth is laziness and the avoidance of work. Some scholars argue that some of the characters from The Canterbury Tales represent the seven deadly sins and that those charters who are flawed are meant to embody those negative qualities (Briefly discuss).

Theory of the Four Humors Balance among the four elemental fluids: blood, yellow bile Phlegm black bile. The four basic human temperaments: phlegmatic sanguine, Melancholic choleric One can also examine the characters through the theory of the four humors. This theory held that the body's state of health--and by extension the state of mind, or character--depended upon a balance among the four elemental fluids: blood, yellow bile, Phlegm, black bile called humors The four basic human temperaments, phlegmatic, sanguine, melancholic, and choleric, were each caused by a predominance of one of the four humors. The humors and their corresponding temperaments were closely allied with the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth) and the dualities of hot/cold, moist/dry. The feelings and attitudes of the pilgrims during the general prologue of the Canterbury Tales can all be traced back to these four basic personality types.

Phlegmatic The temperament of the calm and tough phlegmatics was influenced by excess phlegm. Associated with water, cold and moisture. Characteristics: dull, pale, cowardly. 

Sanguine Sanguines, whose cheerful and lively temperament resulted from the dominance of the blood. Associated with the air, heat and moisture. Characteristics: amorous, happy, generous.

Melancholic The worry and gloominess of the melancholies were due to a surfeit of melancholy. Associated with earth, cold and dryness. Characteristics: gluttonous, lazy, sentimental

Choleric The energetic cholerics had too much choler (an irritable petulant feeling) in his or her system. Associated with fire, heat and dryness. Characteristics: violent, vengeful.