1. The Canterbury Tales
By Geoffrey Chaucer

2. Geoffrey Chaucer
Born between into middle class family in the wine trade
Worked as a page exposed him to Latin & French
Worked for court traveling through Europe especially Italy
Wrote little until he was in his 30s
Died in 1400, buried at Westminster Abbey

3. Chaucer’s World All power filtered down from the King Nobles Subjects
Commoners
Place in society was based on wealth
Each level of society had rights & privileges but also duties and obligations

4. Canterbury Tales
Series of stories connected by a frame which unifies the whole work (framework story)
Frame is a trip to Canterbury Cathedral
All classes would travel together
Make pilgrimages to religious places for cures or forgiveness
Spring Break

5. Feudal Group
Knight
Squire
Yeoman
Franklin
Miller
Reeve
Plowman

6. The Knight Description:. Physical:. -possessed fine horses
The Knight Description: Physical: -possessed fine horses -wore a fustian tunic stained with smudges from his armor (lines 75-78) Personality: -“He was a true, a perfect gentle- knight” (line 74) -“was a “distinguished knight”(66) who “had done nobly in his sovereign’s war” (47) Analysis: Social Status: Vassal (middle upper) Chaucer’s Opinion: Chaucer seems to have great respect for the knight, essentially saying that he was the living example of chivalry. He appreciates that he was a wise and modest man through all of his battles.
Sammi Levy

7. Urban group Physician Lawyer Manciple Merchant Shipman Tradesmen Cook
Wife of Bath
Innkeeper

8. Wife of Bath Janay Washington Description Somewhat deaf (466)
Dresses heavenly, with a large hat upon her head( )
She had five husbands (470)
She had gapped teeth (478)
Large hips and her heels spurred under that. (483)
She rode a horse and traveled to many places: Jerusalem, rivers, Rome, Boulogne and many other places.
Analysis
In Chaucer’s opinion he seems to think she is knowledgeable
He thinks greatly of her and describes her in a good and positive way.
Janay Washington

9. Church group Middle Ages church corrupt Parson Summoner Monk Prioress
Friar
Pardoner
Cleric

10. Prioress Sam Dowling Description: A Nun Known as Madam Eglantyne
Had a way of smiling that was very simple and coy
Spoke in French and went to stratford-atte-bowe
Pleasant, and friendly, compassionate dignified with a kind of grace
Had great manners, clean
Analysis :
Social Class: She acted upper class (clergy).
Chaucer’s Opinion: He thought she seemed fake because she acted high class.
Sam Dowling

11. Hubert the Friar Description: Social Class:
Sweet tongued and merry (260)
Was a pale man, and seemed small, but he could beat almost anyone in a physical fight ( )
Was a man of the church; however, he avoided beggars (246)
Had affairs with girls, then married them off to cover it up ( )
Social Class:
Clergyman/ Upper Middle Class
Chaucer’s Bias: The friar is shown as the trickster, coming across as a friar but always having an alternative motive, be it money or girls. Basically described as the medieval con artist.
Aaron Chapman

12. Parson He was poor He preached Christ’s Gospel
Followed what he believed in.
Never asked for money
Always helping people
Never judged people
Always had a mission
Chaucer’s opinion- He was
a good person who always made
good choices and never begged.
He was always decent and kind-
hearted.
Amber Rhodes

13. Pardoner Louis Muccio Rides with the Summoner.(689)
Has yellow hair like wax.(695)
Wears a little cap but no hood.( )
Has bulging eyes like a hare.(704)
Sweet voice like a goat.(708)
Has no beard or facial hair only the smoothest chin.( )
Liar. ( )
And a great singer. ( )
He is of the middle-ish class/clergy man.
Chaucer thought him an important character for his personality and vocal abilities but no good because he was a liar and a bag of hot air.
Louis Muccio