The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Background of these tales Geoffrey Chaucer wrote this story in the late 1300’s but never finished it. He wrote in the native language or vernacular of the Medieval period in Britain called Middle English. He chose to write in the language of the common people, unlike his contemporaries, who wrote in the language of the monarchy and nobility (French or Latin).

Middle English

The Story Twenty nine people that represent various social classes of Medieval society go on a pilgrimage to the cathedral at Canterbury in southeast England.

Why did people go on pilgrimages? The Church encouraged people to make pilgrimages to special holy places called shrines. It was believed that if you prayed there you might be forgiven for your sins and have more chance of going to heaven. The cathedral at Canterbury is the main cathedral of the Church of England. The shrine to the martyr Saint Thomas a Becket is located at this cathedral.

Saint Thomas a Becket He was the archbishop of Canterbury, and in 1170 he was martyred by some knights of the king of England, Henry II, who was overheard complaining about Becket’s loyalty to the church in Rome over his loyalty to his king.

The story format Chaucer’s characters are going to pay respects to this shrine as a part of a religious pilgrimage. They all meet at a tavern to begin their journey.

The basic plot and a few of the characters The host of the tavern or innkeeper is the man who suggests that the pilgrims each tell a story on the way to pass the time and entertain the group. The most entertaining storyteller is to be rewarded with a dinner.

The Wife of Bath and the Pardoner

The Priest and the Miller

The Knight and his Squire

Format The Canterbury Tales are called a frame story, meaning that there are many stories “framed” within the larger story of the pilgrimage to Canterbury. The Canterbury Tales is a narrative poem, a poem that tells a story.

Literary techniques Satire- a type of writing that pokes fun at people, their weaknesses, institutions, and social conventions. Irony- a contrast between expectation and reality.

Why The Canterbury Tales is considered a masterpiece Chaucer was the first writer to use English in a major literary work. It gives a picture of a cross-section of society during the 1300’s. Chaucer let his characters speak in the vernacular, the way they might actually talk. Chaucer was the first to take a critical look at the medieval church, criticizing priests, monks, etc. in his writing.

The Pardoner A clergyman with a license from the pope to grant indulgences (documents forgiving people for their sins). Indulgences were supposed to be granted only to people who had shown great charity; however, many pardoners simply sold their pardons to make money for the church or for themselves. Unethical pardoners often threatened reluctant buyers with eternal damnation.

Holy Relics A part of the saint (bone, hair) or an item owned or touched by the saint. During the Middle Ages, there was rivalry between cathedrals and between churches to possess the more famous relics. There were countless cases of fake relics and a lively black market in fairly authentic relics.

What’s the point? "The Pardoner's Tale" is an exemplum, or a "morality tale"; it is a story that is meant to teach a lesson about good and evil.  In this story, Chaucer explores what happens when spiritual goods become profit earning commodities.  What on earth does that mean?

“Greed is Good” "The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. “ What is Gekko's message about greed?  What does he mean when he says that it "is right," that "it works," and that it "captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit"?  To what extent do you agree or disagree with his message?

“The love of money is the root of all evil.” What do you think about the influence of money? How does it relate to the “Greed is Good” video?