Geoffrey Chaucer

 Characterization Norman Conquest (William the Conqueror) led to Feudal system (class consciousness)  Class structure based on land holding  Hierarchy of rights and obligations according to social status  Serfs worked the land/aristocrats owned the land  Power of the guilds (merchants/artisans) grew; new middle-class emerged

 Rhymed verse in Middle English Individual tales incorporate most of the genre of the day:  Exemplum (moral anecdote), beast fables, romances, fabliaux (metrical tale, ribald and humorous), saints’ legends, Arthurian tales, Bretonlai (brief, narrative poem/song), fairy tale  Representative of growing influence of Continental literature

1066 – The Norman (French) Conquest of England 1086 – Domesday Book, the Norman census and inventory 1096 – The Crusades begin 1170 – Thomas á Beckett is murdered 1215 – Magna Carta signed 1265 – First English Parliament 1300?- Sir Gawain is written 1476 – Caxton’s printing press begins operation in London 1485 – Morte D’Arthur published

 From brutality of the warrior of the Anglo-Saxon age evolved the courteous hero of the Middle Ages.  Chivalric Code reflects changes in society Growth of religion Development of loyalty Rise of women’s status “Rules of Courtly Love”

 Romanticized View- “knights were bold and steeds were prancing” Loyal, fearless, persevering, gentle, devout, and humble Castles, shining armor, powerful steed, rescuing damsels in distress  Understanding the “literary” portrayal of a “hero” is essential before approaching Chaucer’s battle-scarred knight.

 The fantastic, unreal, supernatural (fighting of monsters)  Chivalry (swearing oaths, honor, humility and courage, using bravery, manners and civility)  Christian elements, quests

 Born a member of the rising middle class  Trained for career in the court of King Edward III  Served in the army  Held several government positions  Married one of the ladies of the court  Buried in Westminster Abbey in the Poet’s Corner

 The Canterbury Tales – considered his greatest work  One of the first books printed by William Caxton on England’s first printing press  Worked nearly 10 years on the Tales  Painted the verbal portraits of his pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Thomas á Becket  Presented his observations posing as a companion pilgrim while at the same time satirizing and commenting on the people and problems of his age

 Has our opinion of valor and power changed or stagnated?  Society often sets an individual up as a hero when in reality he or she is not. Explain.  What actions in today’s society would be considered “chivalrous”? What is the possible origin of the action?