1. The Canterbury Tales: Money, Sex, and Jousting
September 18, 2014
Roberta Hirschbuehler

2. Contents Geoffrey Chaucer Background on The Canterbury Tales
More background
Middle English
The Narrator
The Knight
The Wife of Bath
The Pardoner
The Miller
Outside Resources
Review
More Review

3. Geoffrey Chaucer c. 1343 – 25 October 1400
Author, philosopher, alchemist, astronomer, courtier, and diplomat
Notable literary works: Troilus and Criseyde, Legend of Good Women, and House of Fame
Buried in Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey

4. The Canterbury Tales: Background Information
Contains over 20 stories written in Middle English
Written near the end of the 14th century
Frame story:
literary technique that sometimes serves as a companion piece to a story within a story, whereby an introductory or main narrative is presented, at least in part, for the purpose of setting the stage either for a more emphasized second narrative or for a set of shorter stories.

5. More Background
Pilgrims journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Beckett at Canterbury Cathedral
Prize for pilgrim who tells the best story is a free meal at Tabard Inn

7. The Narrator Also named Chaucer
Presents himself as gregarious and naïve
Records his impressions of the pilgrims from memory and his recordings reveal a lot about the narrator himself

8. The Knight
First pilgrim described in the prologue and tells the first tale
Represents ideal Christian man
Participates in at least 15 crusades
Admired by the narrator

9. Wife of Bath Talented seamstress Married 5 times
Loves marriage, sex, fine clothes, talking, and arguing
Deaf in one ear and gap-toothed

10. The Pardoner Grants papal indulgences and keeps profits for himself
Keeps bag of fake relics (veil of Virgin Mary)
Long, greasy yellow hair
Gifted singer

11. The Miller Stout and brawny with a wart on his nose and a big mouth
Drunkenly interrupts the Monk to tell his own tale
Reminds the pilgrims he can’t be accountable for the lewdness of his story because he is too drunk
Robin, from the Miller’s Tale

12. Outside Resources Take a pilgrimage: Learn about Geoffrey Chaucer:
Learn about Geoffrey Chaucer:
Read more of The Canterbury Tales in Middle English

13. Review Answer the question: Check your answer:
When was The Canterbury Tales written?
Who is the author?
What literary technique is used to tell the pilgrims’ stories?
Name one of the author’s occupations.
End of the 14th century
Geoffrey Chaucer
Frame story
Author, philosopher, alchemist, astronomer, courtier, and diplomat

14. Review Answer the question: Check your answer
Who tells the first tale?
How many husbands did the Wife of Bath have?
What does the Pardoner have in his bag?
Describe the Miller’s face.
The Knight
Five
Fake relics
Wart on his nose and a big mouth