1. CANTERBURY TALES ENG 273: World Literature

2. History Written by Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400) “Father of English Literature” Written in Middle English Established Vernacular as a Legitimate Language for Writing Previously Latin, French Depicts Medieval English Society Social Stratification Christianity Including Corruption

3. Canterbury Pilgrimage was very important during the Middle Ages Rome, Jerusalem Display of faith (and a vacation) Canterbury was a popular destination for the English because it was nearby The location includes a shrine to “Saint” Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury Murdered in the cathedral in 1170 due to conflict with King Henry II Canonized as a Saint by the Pope

4. Three Estates Nobility Represented by the Military Clergy Laborers The Canterbury Tales is an “estates satire” Attempts to highlight the negative aspects of the social system with humor

5. Changes in the English Language Old English Beowulf https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=Ooj25_j3k1E https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=Ooj25_j3k1E Middle English The Canterbury Tales https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=ahuT-JwxIa8 https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=ahuT-JwxIa8 Elizabethan English Shakespeare Modern English

6. Plot 29 Pilgrims are on their way to Canterbury in April The meet at the Tabard Inn in Southwark, England The Narrator joins them He describes each one The Host suggests a storytelling contest on the way to and from Canterbury Each Pilgrim will tell two stories each way The winner would receive a meal paid for by the rest of the group when they get back The Host agrees to go along to judge the contest

7. Plot Continued Prologue Introduces the idea of the pilgrimage Introduces the Narrator Introduces each of the characters Introduces the storytelling contest Individual Stories Prologue Gives more information about the character Story Many different forms, messages, etc. There are 24 stories total – the work is unfinished

8. Characters Narrator (Chaucer?) Introduces the other characters in order of social status (Nobility, Clergy, Laborer) Knight His Son the Squire Yeoman Prioress (Madame Eglantine) Nun and Priest Monk Friar (Hubert) Friars are beggars

9. Characters Continued Merchant Oxford Student Man of Law Franklin Five Guildsmen Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapestry-Maker Cook Skipper Physician Wife of Bath

10. Characters Continued Parson Plowman (Parson’s Brother) Miller Manciple In charge of the purchase and storage of food at places like universities or monasteries Reeve Chief Magistrate in an area Summoner Delivers charges to people who were accused of wrongdoing by the church Pardoner Sells Indulgences Tavern Host (Harry Bailly)

11. Key Themes Significance of Courtly Love Christian Ideals versus Worldly Values Corruption in Christianity Social Roles in Medieval England Tension between how the character should fulfill his/her social role and how he/she behaves How Physical Description Reveals Character Traits Duty of Pilgrimage versus Pleasure of Story Telling Destination versus Journey