Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales

St. Thomas a’ Becket “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest” “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest” Killed on Dec. 29th 1170 Killed on Dec. 29th 1170 The Archbishop of Canterbury Becket disagreed with King Henry II and was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral There have been several miracles in this cathedral

Geoffrey Chaucer 1387 Chaucer wrote a free-verse poem about a pilgrimage to St. Thomas a’ Becket’s shrine. The Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales Chaucer’s characterization was unlike anything ever written before. Chaucer’s characterization was unlike anything ever written before. He creates a human encyclopedia by describing physical and social mannerisms; he also explores the beliefs and morals of each character. He creates a human encyclopedia by describing physical and social mannerisms; he also explores the beliefs and morals of each character. A pageant of 14 th century life A pageant of 14 th century life Every class variation is represented except the highest (nobility) and the lowest (serfs): Every class variation is represented except the highest (nobility) and the lowest (serfs): Upper Class, Learned Professions, Landed Gentry, Medieval Manor People, Mercantile Class, Guildsmen, Laborer Upper Class, Learned Professions, Landed Gentry, Medieval Manor People, Mercantile Class, Guildsmen, Laborer After Chaucer introduces all of the characters, each one will tell a two tales on their way to the Shrine of Thomas a Becket After Chaucer introduces all of the characters, each one will tell a two tales on their way to the Shrine of Thomas a Becket

The General Prologue April, Tabard Inn April, Tabard Inn The 29 “pilgrims” spending the night at the Tabard Inn. The 29 “pilgrims” spending the night at the Tabard Inn. The Narrator says he will describe and repeat everything he hears no matter how offensive. The Narrator says he will describe and repeat everything he hears no matter how offensive. The Host proposes that each pilgrim tell 2 tales on the way there and back. The Host proposes that each pilgrim tell 2 tales on the way there and back. The best tale will win dinner at the Inn The best tale will win dinner at the Inn

Chaucer’s Attitude Some ideals that Chaucer treats seriously Some ideals that Chaucer treats seriously Knight, Clerk, Parson, Plowman Knight, Clerk, Parson, Plowman Some he pokes fun of Some he pokes fun of Prioress, Monk, Wife of Bath Prioress, Monk, Wife of Bath Some he says very little about and gives no personal view of Some he says very little about and gives no personal view of The Prioress’ entourage The Prioress’ entourage Some are not very good: a little negative Some are not very good: a little negative Shipman, Manciple Shipman, Manciple Some are hardened sinners Some are hardened sinners Friar, Pardoner, Summoner Friar, Pardoner, Summoner

The Characters Character is revealed in the portraits of the pilgrims, their tales, and their behavior or remarks along the way. Character is revealed in the portraits of the pilgrims, their tales, and their behavior or remarks along the way. Five specific methods of characterization: Five specific methods of characterization: 1. Radix Trait 2. Touchstone Line 3. Glimpse of the spiritual interior person through physical description; outward blemished suggest inner blemishes 4. Conscious use of hyperbole, usually used to create bias 5. Disparate (incongruous) detail, particularly used on the “bad guys”

Chaucer He must have been a man of a most wonderful and comprehensive nature, because, as it has been truly observed of him, he has taken into the compass of his Canterbury Tales the various manners and humour (as we now call them) of the whole English nation in his age. John Dryden, 1700