1. Chaucer Text and Contexts

2. Chaucer Medieval England ca AD 700-1500 Mode of Production Regime of KnowledgeMode of Subjectivity FeudalismPlatonic Philosophy Communal Subsistence AgricultureAbsolute Truth Hierarchical Production for Local Consumption Roman Catholic Theism Extended Family Small-Craft Shop Industry Philosophical Idealism Tied to Local Community No Large-Scale International Trade Aristotelian-Christian Traditionalism Obligation between Manorial Lord and Serf

3. Chaucer Medieval England ca AD 700-1500 Form of Government Characteristic Art FormsReligion Aristocratic Feudalism Evolving Toward Centralized Divine-Right Monarchy Hero-Warrior Epic Didactic Art Aristocratic Patronage Celtic Paganism Gradually Replaced by Christianity Unified Catholicism Parallel Secular/Clerical Feudal Organization Church-Sponsored Art Persecution of Jews Confederations of strong Dukes/Counts under relatively weak Kings Anonymous Artists Crusades to Recover “Holy Lands” from Islamic Control

4. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed 1/3 of the population between 1348 and 1350

5. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War

6. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class

7. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class – Rising economic power of merchant class

8. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class – Rising economic power of merchant class – Growth of towns and cities

9. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class – Rising economic power of merchant class – Growth of towns and cities – Political power still rests with the aristocracy

10. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class – Rising economic power of merchant class – Growth of towns and cities – Political power still rests with the aristocracy – Catholic Church continues to challenge political power of Crown (1170: St. Thomas Becket murdered by servants of Henry II)

11. Chaucer Canterbury Tales can be considered “estates satire” Three “Estates” in European feudal society – Peasants work (agricultural labor) – Clergy pray – Nobles fight (and rule) Canterbury Tales presents an elaborate critique and complication of this representation of the social order

12. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Characters: – Narrator (“Chaucer”) – Host (Harry Bailey) – Knight Squire Yeoman – Prioress Second Nun Three Priests – Monk – Friar – Merchant – Clerk (student) – Man of Law – Franklin – Guildsmen – Cook – Shipman – Physician – Wife of Bath – Parson – Plowman – Manciple – Reeve – Miller – Summoner – Pardoner