Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer

Fastwrite What positive things did the church do for people in midevil times? What negative things did they do? How has the role of the church changed from midevil times to today? What positive things did the church do for people in midevil times? What negative things did they do? How has the role of the church changed from midevil times to today?

Geoffrey Chaucer Born in 1343 in London Born in 1343 in London Middle Class: He was a page and personal attendant to nobility. Middle Class: He was a page and personal attendant to nobility. Early poetry written in French Early poetry written in French Influenced by Dante, Boccacio: Poetry was usually read aloud Influenced by Dante, Boccacio: Poetry was usually read aloud Canterbury Tales was written during the last 14 years of his life. Canterbury Tales was written during the last 14 years of his life.

Middle Ages Society had 3 sections: Nobility, the Church, and everyone else. Society had 3 sections: Nobility, the Church, and everyone else. 4 Humors: Diseases were thought to be caused by one or another of 4 bodily humors: 4 Humors: Diseases were thought to be caused by one or another of 4 bodily humors: Blood: Sanguine, hot & moist like air Blood: Sanguine, hot & moist like air Black bile: cold dry like earth, melancholy humor Black bile: cold dry like earth, melancholy humor Yellow bile: choleric, hot dry like fire Yellow bile: choleric, hot dry like fire Phlegm: Phlegmatic, cold and moist like water Phlegm: Phlegmatic, cold and moist like water

Canterbury Tales Chaucer Chaucer Wrote in Middle English, which was uncommon and meant that more common people could read it Wrote in Middle English, which was uncommon and meant that more common people could read it Was a Catholic but viewed the Catholic church as corrupt Was a Catholic but viewed the Catholic church as corrupt Was skilled at using adjectives to disguise the obscene Was skilled at using adjectives to disguise the obscene Viewed humanity as fallible but essentially good; corruption and power led to downfall of humanity. Viewed humanity as fallible but essentially good; corruption and power led to downfall of humanity. Suggested that free will was stronger than destiny Suggested that free will was stronger than destiny

Canterbury Tales Framework Story: One big story holds many small ones Framework Story: One big story holds many small ones Chaucer considered the first father of the short story Chaucer considered the first father of the short story Prologue: Gives the setting of the story, Prologue: Gives the setting of the story, 29 pilgrims travel to Canterbury at Easter time to visit the shrine to St. Thomas Becket. Each character required to tell two stories. 29 pilgrims travel to Canterbury at Easter time to visit the shrine to St. Thomas Becket. Each character required to tell two stories.

Literary terms Midevil Romance: Female-Good manners, princess, beautiful; The man would save the princess in distress Dramatic Irony: Opposite or twist that produces an unexpected outcome…audience sees the twist, but the character doesn’t Exemplum: Moralized tale, narrative, human interest, moral Satire: poke fun at something to bring about reform Fabliaux: Dirty story, focused on women or clergy