The Canterbury Tales

The Medieval period Lasted from around the 5th to the 15th Century Society governed by the feudal system, which replaced Anglo- Saxon social structure This system established different ruling classes, with the king as the leader of the nation; at the bottom were free laborers and serfs, or enslaved peoples who worked for other classes

Code of chivalry Women had few to no political rights during the period Chivalry: moral and social law and customs of upper classes during the Middle Ages The Code of Chivalry was based around three areas: how to behave as far as war, religion, and women. All knights were supposed to obey this code Courtly love: medieval way of appropriately showing love and admiration; typically secret and between two members of the noble class

The Medieval period The Black Death (bubonic plague) affected the population of medieval Europe – and England – greatly From 1348-1350, the disease killed about 1.5 million people in medieval England, out of a population of of 4 million Transmitted through infected fleas that fed on rats and humans Brought about social, economic, and religious changes

Author background The Canterbury Tales were written by Geoffrey Chaucer. Lived from around 1343-1400. Worked in a royal house, as a soldier, as a diplomat, and as a royal clerk No clear inspiration for the Tales: may have been based on Chaucer’s own pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Thomas Becket Often called the Father of English Poetry.

The Canterbury Tales Believed to have been started around 1380 Considered to be unfinished – only around 24 of the 120 stories were completed Originally written in Middle English In the story, 30 pilgrims are traveling to the tomb of Thomas Becket Becket was appointed archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II to help the king control the Catholic Church Becket turned on the king and was assassinated by his knights Struggle between king and church

The canterbury tales The tales represent many different social classes in medieval life Very different from other literature of the period Realism Characterization: direct vs. indirect What do we know about the characters? Are we told, or shown? Direct: direct statements about a character Indirect: uses action, dialogue, and thoughts to reveal a character’s personality