The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Background Introduction

Geoffrey Chaucer c. 1343-1400 Considered the father of English poetry Wrote in the vernacular – common language of the people (English) Served as a soldier, government servant, and member of Parliament Introduced iambic pentameter First writer buried in Westminster Abbey

Chaucer’s Work Chaucer’s work experience and travels afforded him with the ability to see people from all levels of society This exposure allows him to write characters who represent the lower, middle, and upper classes This in itself is unique. No longer does literature only present the lives of kings and warriors.

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.

Middle English The Canterbury Tales was written in Middle English, the primary language spoken by the population In part due to CT’s popularity, Middle English becomes primary language for the royal court and upper class as well Chaucer is called “The Father of English Literature”

The Premise Chaucer uses a pilgrimage (religious journey) as a way for 29 characters to share their stories Leaving from the Tabard Inn (below), the pilgrims are instructed to tell 2 tales on the way to Canterbury Cathedral and 2 on the return journey Best tale will be rewarded by the inn owner and host of the journey

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

The Premise Pilgrimages were popular in the period Show your devotion Healing properties Archbishop Thomas a Becket murdered inside Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 when he disagreed with King Henry II over church rights and privileges The Church canonized him within 3 years of the murder Most popular pilgrimage site in England in the 13oo’s Stained glass depicting two knights of King Henry II stabbing Archbishop Thomas a Becket

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 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 at Rome over his loyalty to his king.

Structure of The Canterbury Tales 3 Parts 1: General Prologue 2: Characters’ Prologues 3: Characters’ Tales

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.

General Prologue Chaucer’s poem begins with an introduction of all the pilgrims, the host, and Chaucer (who adds himself as a fictional narrator) Each person is particularly identified by profession and appearance; there is also implied moral judgment. The GP also sets up the journey and frames the characters’ individual stories

Literary Characteristics FRAME STORY: A literary device in which a smaller story is told within the context of the tale Example: Chaucer is telling the story of the pilgrims; within that, smaller tales are told

Literary Characteristics HEROIC COUPLETS: 2 paired lines of poetry, written in iambic pentameter (meter). The pair (or couplet) must RHYME. Introduced by Chaucer! Example: “You’re off to Canterbury - well, God speed!/ Blessed St. Thomas answer to your need!”

Literary Characteristics SATIRE When an author ridicules and exposes the faults of his or her subject Used in order to provoke change The Canterbury Tales is a very important satire, pointing out the need for change in Medieval beliefs and practices Two tools Chaucer uses to create satire are 1. Verbal irony and 2. physiognomy

Literary Characteristics VERBAL IRONY When there is a meaningful contrast between what is said and what is actually meant Example: Saying, “The best monk,” when really the monk does not really adhere to the ideals of monastic life

Literary Characteristics PHYSIOGNOMY: The use of physical appearance to suggest attributes of a person’s character or personality Example: Think of evil stepmother figures in Disney movies. Their harsh, angular appearances always hint at their malevolent motives

Types of Tales ALLEGORY A story with the purpose of teaching a moral lesson Characters and events represent abstract qualities or ideas. The writer intends a secondary meaning. Characters are often personifications of abstractions like greed, envy, etc. Example: The Pardoner’s Tale

Types of Tales ROMANCE: A story focusing on the episodic adventures of knights and the challenges they face Example: The Wife of Bath’s Tale

Some 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 entertain the group. Chaucer intended for each to tell 2 stories, but he only got to write one apiece.

The following characters are the wife of Bath and the pardoner,

The following characters are the priest and the miller

And two more familiar characters are the knight and his squire

The Journey Begins . . . The Canterbury Tales is actually a story about stories, twenty-four different tales set within the overarching tale of the pilgrimage. Definition: Frame Story – a story within a story The Outer Frame Story is about the pilgrims meeting at the Tabard Inn preparing for a journey to Canterbury. The Inner Frame Story would be all the stories told by the assembled pilgrims along their journey to and from Canterbury.

Snapshots of an Era. . . In the Prologue, Chaucer sketches a brief but vivid portrait of each pilgrim, creating a lively sense of medieval life. The description may literally describe an article of clothing, but figuratively imply something about that character. Definition: Satire – to describe in hyperbolic or humorous ways but with intent for change. Our job is to read and comprehend the literal description of each pilgrim, and then, we must figuratively interpret what Chaucer is trying to imply about that pilgrim’s character.

Snapshots of an Era. . . In the Prologue, Chaucer examines three segments of Medieval England: 1. The Old Feudal order – these are all of the pilgrims associated with the feudal class system. Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Plowman . . . 2. The Merchant Class – this was the rising middle class of the time; towns and cities were emerging and therefore necessitated the need for skilled services: Merchant, Man of Law, Guildsmen, Cook . . . 3. The Ecclesiastical (Church) Class – these were all of the members of the church. Chaucer is most critical of this segment of his society. Prioress, Monk, Friar, Pardoner . . .

A Literary Tour. . . Chaucer uses the popular genres of his time when he creates the inner stories of the various pilgrims: Romances (tales of chivalry) The Wife of Bath’s Tale Fabliaux (short, bawdy, humorous stories) The Miller’s Tale The stories of saint’s lives, sermons The Parson’s Tale Allegories (narratives in which characters represent abstractions such as Pride or Honor). The Pardoner’s Tale Chaucer wrote much of the Tales using his own form, the heroic couplet, a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables each.

Literary Analysis Characterization Direct characterization presents direct statements about a character, such as Chaucer’s statement that the Knight “followed chivalry, / Truth, honor. . . .” Indirect characterization uses actions, thoughts, and dialogue to reveal a character’s personality. By saying “he was not gaily dressed,” for instance, Chaucer suggests that the Knight is not vain and perhaps takes the pilgrimage seriously enough to rush to join it straight from battle.