1. The Canterbury Tales

2. Biography Geoffrey Chaucer born in London in the early 1340s
Father was merchant, but came into money and was able to send Geoffrey to a more affluent school
Chaucer served as soldier and diplomat during One Hundred Years War
In 1374, the king appointed Chaucer Controller of the Customs of Hides, Skins and Wools in the port of London, meaning he was a government official who worked with cloth importers
Married Philippa Roet, who served Edward III’s queen
Influenced by Florentine poets: Boccaccio, Petrach, & Dante

3. Social Context A very tense time in history
Black Death wiped out somewhere from 30-50% of the population
The labor force gained power and was able to bargain for better wages
Upper class resented increased power of lower class

4. The Text
Chaucer wanted to write in the vernacular and make the written word more accessible to the people
Written in Middle English
Intended order of tales is unknown
The work is unfinished
Characters are divided into three distinct classes: "those who pray" (the clergy), "those who fight" (the nobility), and "those who work" (the commoners and peasantry)

5. Themes Religion & Corruption of the Church Social Class Lies & Deceit
Friendship
Literature & Writing
Competition
Time

6. Terms to Know
Fabliaux were comical and often grotesque stories in which the characters most often succeed by means of their sharp wits. Frequently, the plot turns or climaxes around the most grotesque feature in the story, usually a bodily noise or function.
Physiognomy was a science that judged a person’s temperament and character based on his or her anatomy.