Canterbury Tales The General Prologue

The Middle Ages ► Named by scholars for the time in between the Ancient period and the Renaissance ► Also called the Medieval period ► Bubonic plague (Black Death) – 1/3 of Europe was wiped out; carried by rats/fleas;

Medieval Society ► Feudalism was the organizing social system.  All land was owned by the King. ► The Five Estates:  King  Clergy and Church Employees  The Barons  The Knights  Merchant and Peasants ► Most literature of the Ancient World focused on the 1 st Estate exclusively

Medieval Religion ► Heaven ► Purgatory ► Hell ► Mortal vs. Venial Sins ► Indulgences

Corruption in the Church ► Papal indulgences on the rise (some fake, some real) ► Fake relics ► Clergy not living up to their vows ► German Priest, Martin Luther and his 95 theses protest ► Protestant Reformation

Canterbury Tales ► Written around ► Written by Geoffrey Chaucer  Soldier  Courtier  Royal emissary to Europe  Controller of customs  Justice of the peace  Member of Parliament  Writer

The General Prologue ► Setting: April at the Tabard Inn ► Goal: Pilgrimage to Canterbury ► Plot: Contest to see who can tell the best story ► Characters: 29 Pilgrims

Prologue ► Chaucer has the idea to bring together 29 various people in a pilgrimage by chance  Represent a wide range of 14 th century English society ► Makes comprehensive study of humans ► Perfect way to present his irony

Satire ► The use of irony, sarcasm, or mockery, to expose, criticize, or ridicule vice, folly, etc. ► Satire is used to show foolishness or vice in humans, organizations, or even governments ► Satire is often used to effect political or social change or to prevent it.

Three Social Groups ► Represent a wide range of 14 th century English society  3 Groups Represented: ► Agricultural feudalism  Nobility ► Knight’s yeoman ► Franklin ► Merchants and Tradesmen  Change in feudal structure ► Doctor ► Guildsmen ► The Church  One of the most powerful elements in medieval society ► 9 of pilgrims belong to clergy

Plot ► Each pilgrim  tells two stories on the way to Canterbury  two stories on the way back ► Plan proposed by Harry Bailey, host of the Tabard Inn ► Teller of best tale is rewarded at the end  A dinner provided by his fellow pilgrims at the Tabard ► Harry Bailey is judge

Plot ► Group is on its way to the holy shrine of St. Thomas A Becket  Archbishop of Canterbury ► Opposed Henry II over the balance between royal and religious power ► Was murdered in the cathedral  Considered a martyr and later made a saint  His blood was held to contain great curative qualities, restoring health to the sick

Prologue ► Chaucer’s project was never finished ► Only 24 tales exist ► Tales were probably composed at various times throughout Chaucer’s life