1. The Canterbury Tales & Geoffrey Chaucer

2. Geoffrey Chaucer Often called “Father of English Poetry”
Composed poetry in the vernacular (everyday language); lent respectability to Middle English
Little is known of his early education, but his works show that he could read French, Latin, and Italian.
Before the age of 20, he served as a soldier in France, was captured and ransomed by the king
Government official (ambassador, member of Parliament, justice of the peace)
world traveler acquainted with many royal and famous individuals

3. The Canterbury Tales
Frame story (stories within a story) – a group of pilgrims on the way to the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury, tell tales along the way to pass the time
Each traveler is to tell 4 stories (two going, 2 returning)
Chaucer intended to write 120 tales, but only finished 24
Promotes charity and condemns those who are self-serving, self-righteous, and self-involved

4. The Canterbury Tales Cont.
Possesses an archetypal unity (we recognize these people by their character traits)
Characters represent all social classes
Almost a “universal pilgrimage” of sorts

5. Classes in Society
Pilgrims generally fall into 3 major divisions of medieval society
Feudal order (Knight and his Squire)
The Church (Monk and Nun)
Merchant or professional class (Miller and Doctor)

6. Why go on a pilgrimage?
Most common reasons for embarking on pilgrimages
to improve chances of salvation
gain healing touch supposedly found in saints’ relics
atone for sins
Other reasons
avoid shame of confessing sins at home
desire to travel
meet new people
escape drudgery of daily lives
Often, people were attacked or swindled en route; traveling in a group was much safer

7. Notes from the Prologue Read lines 1-41 and answer the following questions
Rhyme?
Rhythm?
What is the tone of the first 18 lines of the Prologue? (examine diction – word choice)
What words support that tone? Be specific!
What time of year is it? Symbolic relevance?
What reasons do people seem to have for engaging in pilgrimages, according to the Prologue?
Where did the pilgrims assemble?
Where are the pilgrims going?