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“Father of English Poetry”

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1 “Father of English Poetry”
Geoffrey Chaucer 1343? “Father of English Poetry”

2 History Highlights Setting = Medieval England Feudal society
Time of Crusades & the Plague Entertainment for Royals … Tournaments, Theater, Poetry & Music “Entertainment” for commoners Fairs Tournaments Public executions

3 Who is Chaucer? Father = middle class wine merchant Many occupations…
page in royal house, soldier, diplomat, royal clerk Held civil service positions for three kings (Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV) Married lady-in-waiting to the queen

4 Chaucer the Writer Began writing in his 20s
Travelled throughout Europe Fluent in English, Latin, Italian, & French Writing only part-time occupation Becomes most famous writer of the time!

5 Chaucer’s Language Language of literature, science, law, & church = Latin & French English considered primitive First poet to compose in vernacular (language of the people) Wrote in Middle English using heroic couplet, a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables (iambic pentameter)

6 Chaucer’s Techniques Characterization Allegory…
Direct & Indirect Allegory… Characters, settings, event stand for moral truths Literal & symbolic meaning (didactic) Satire – witty language to convey insults Irony – Surprisingly little alliteration…

7 Chaucer’s Imitatio? Contemporary of Italian greats…
Dante – The Divine Comedy Petrarch – sonnets Boccaccio -- Decameron Framing device/Framework story A tale within a tale Canterbury Tales plan …

8 Chaucer the Pilgrim Narrator in his own story Double Irony –
Masked in a masquerade Social commentator Study of three classes Feudal Church Middle Class His own house overlooked pilgrim road to Canterbury

9 The Canterbury Tales Written in his later years (1386?)
Never completed – magnum opus Planned 120 tales - only completed 22 Best historical picture of 14th century life in England Inspired by own pilgrimage to Canterbury? Combines popular genres of romances (tales of chivalry), sermons, fables, & bawdy stories

10 Why to Canterbury? Canterbury Cathedral

11 At the Cathedral

12 At the Cathedral

13 Murder in the Cathedral
Feud between Thomas Becket - Archbishop of Canterbury and Henry II Becket refuses to agree to laws that would give Henry power over the church Henry -- “Who will rid me of this … priest?" Four knights go to Canterbury to impress the king; they beat Becket until his skull is split Numerous miracles occur where Becket was slain - he is canonized by the church Pilgrims flock to Canterbury Cathedral as a shrine

14 The Pilgrimmage Over 50 miles!

15 The “Wager” Number of pilgrims = ____ Innkeeper = _________ __________
Each pilgrim to tell ___ stories How many total stories planned? ____ How many did Chaucer complete? ____ Prize = _________

16 The Canterbury Tales in “Living” Color!

17 The Characters Number of pilgrims = ____
Innkeeper = _________ __________ Each pilgrim to tell ___ stories How many total stories planned? ____ How many did Chaucer complete? ____ Prize = _________

18 Character Listing Narrator Franklin Host Guildsmen Knight Cook Squire
Yeoman Prioress Second Nun Three Priests Monk Friar Merchant Clerk Man of Law Franklin Guildsmen Cook Shipman Physician Wife of Bath Parson Plowman Manciple Reeve Miller Summoner Pardoner A woodcut from William Caxton's 2nd edition of The Canterbury Tales printed in 1483.

19 Social Commentary List the three societal types mentioned
_________________ Which group does Chaucer empathize with? Which group does he clearly condemn? What do you think he will say about feudalism?

20 Chaucer’s End Died of unknown causes
MURDER suspected… Among first writers buried in Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey

21 Essential Terms Direct Characterization – factual statements about a character, such as saying the Knight “followed chivalry,/ Truth, honor…” Indirect Characterization – Thoughts, actions, or dialogue used to reveal a character’s personality. Example: “he was not gaily dressed” implies the Knight is not vain Social Commentary – writing that offers insight into society, its values, & its customs Satire – Writing that ridicules or holds up to contempt the faults of individuals/groups with intent to improve the situation. Frame Story – A story that is framed by another story

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