Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales BiographyPrologue Wife of Bath’s Tale The Pardoner’s Tale

Early Life Born c Born c Son of a prosperous wine merchant Son of a prosperous wine merchant In mid teens, he was placed in the service of the Countess of Ulster so he could obtain more education and be schooled in court and society life In mid teens, he was placed in the service of the Countess of Ulster so he could obtain more education and be schooled in court and society life Thus, he would have learned Latin and some Greek as well as perhaps some French and Italian Thus, he would have learned Latin and some Greek as well as perhaps some French and Italian

Early Life (cont.) Began a government career Began a government career Captured in France serving as a soldier in the Hundred Years’ War Captured in France serving as a soldier in the Hundred Years’ War King paid his ransom King paid his ransom Married, Philippa; had at least 2 children Married, Philippa; had at least 2 children Served as a justice of the peace and a member of Parliament Served as a justice of the peace and a member of Parliament

Writing and Holding a Job Important government servant Important government servant Between Between The Book of the Duchess The Book of the Duchess The House of Fame The House of Fame Parliament of Fowls Parliament of Fowls Troilus and Criseyde Troilus and Criseyde Traveled in Italy Traveled in Italy Influenced by Dante and Petrarch Influenced by Dante and Petrarch Died 10/25/1400 Died 10/25/1400 Buried Westminster Abbey – Poets’ Corner Buried Westminster Abbey – Poets’ Corner

The Canterbury Tales Chaucer influenced by Boccaccio’s Decameron Chaucer influenced by Boccaccio’s Decameron The Canterbury Tales and Decameron – frame stories The Canterbury Tales and Decameron – frame stories Modern frame story – Joy Luck Club Modern frame story – Joy Luck Club Used several metrical forms, some prose, dominant – iambic pentameter Used several metrical forms, some prose, dominant – iambic pentameter Pictures life in the Middle Ages Pictures life in the Middle Ages

The Canterbury Tales (cont.) Poet-pilgrim narrator – Chaucer Poet-pilgrim narrator – Chaucer Host of the Tabard Inn suggests pilgrims tell stories Host of the Tabard Inn suggests pilgrims tell stories Pilgrimage story – quest narrative Pilgrimage story – quest narrative Storytellers – pilgrims looking for renewal at the Shrine of Thomas a’ Becket Storytellers – pilgrims looking for renewal at the Shrine of Thomas a’ Becket Represent “everyman” – all of us Represent “everyman” – all of us Universal pilgrimage through life Universal pilgrimage through life

Literary Elements Satire – A kind of writing that ridicules or makes fun of human weakness, vice, or folly in order to bring about social reform Satire – A kind of writing that ridicules or makes fun of human weakness, vice, or folly in order to bring about social reform Imagery – Language that appeals to the senses Imagery – Language that appeals to the senses Characterization – The process by which the writer reveals the personality of the character Characterization – The process by which the writer reveals the personality of the character Situational irony – when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate Situational irony – when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate

Organizational Plan 4 tales per person: 2 coming; 2 going 4 tales per person: 2 coming; 2 going Actually completed 22 Actually completed 22 Began 2 others Began 2 others Journey to the Shrine of Thomas a’ Becket in Canterbury Journey to the Shrine of Thomas a’ Becket in Canterbury Becket, murdered in 1170 Becket, murdered in 1170 Use of journey motif as framing device Use of journey motif as framing device Introduces all characters in The Prologue Introduces all characters in The Prologue

The Prologue

Sets stage for journey Sets stage for journey Meeting place the Tabard Inn in Southwark Meeting place the Tabard Inn in Southwark 29 pilgrims including: 29 pilgrims including: A Knight and his Squire and a Yeoman A Knight and his Squire and a Yeoman A Nun (Prioress) Madam Eglantine + another Nun, her chaplain, + 3 Priests A Nun (Prioress) Madam Eglantine + another Nun, her chaplain, + 3 Priests A monk and a friar A monk and a friar

More Pilgrims A merchant, a cleric, a lawyer, a franklin A merchant, a cleric, a lawyer, a franklin A haberdasher, carpenter, weaver, dyer, a tapestry maker A haberdasher, carpenter, weaver, dyer, a tapestry maker A cook, sailor, physician A cook, sailor, physician The Wife of Bath, a poor parish Priest The Wife of Bath, a poor parish Priest A plowman, a reeve, a miller, a summoner, a Manciple (29) A plowman, a reeve, a miller, a summoner, a Manciple (29) Narrator (30) Narrator (30) Host of Tabard Inn (31) Host of Tabard Inn (31) Draw straws to begin tales: Knight begins Draw straws to begin tales: Knight begins

Described by Their job Their job The type and color of their clothing The type and color of their clothing Their “accessories” (jewelry, pets, other portables) Their “accessories” (jewelry, pets, other portables) The way they act The way they act Their income Their income Their “secrets” Their “secrets” Their status in society as a whole Their status in society as a whole The way they speak / their slang or accent The way they speak / their slang or accent Their mode of transportation Their mode of transportation

End of the Pilgrimage Party October 31, 2008 Choose a pilgrim Choose a pilgrim Dress like the pilgrim Dress like the pilgrim Memorize at least 6 lines that Chaucer wrote about the pilgrim Memorize at least 6 lines that Chaucer wrote about the pilgrim Recite your lines and explain more about your pilgrim during class Recite your lines and explain more about your pilgrim during class Feast in L108 during 5 th period A & B lunch Feast in L108 during 5 th period A & B lunch Contribute food or $ Contribute food or $

The Wife of Bath from the Ellesmere manuscript (15 th century)

Wife of Bath’s Tale Tells tale of her late husbands and her treachery as well as her jaunts. Tells tale of her late husbands and her treachery as well as her jaunts. Tells a tale of the Knight and his decisions regarding a wife. Tells a tale of the Knight and his decisions regarding a wife. Knight was to be killed for raping a maiden unless he could answer the question: what do women desire most? Knight was to be killed for raping a maiden unless he could answer the question: what do women desire most? The Knight saw 24 maidens dancing, who disappeared to be replaced by an ugly hag. The Knight saw 24 maidens dancing, who disappeared to be replaced by an ugly hag.

Wife of Bath’s Tale (cont.) The hag asks him to swear to do the next thing she asks of him and she will save his life by giving him the answer. The hag asks him to swear to do the next thing she asks of him and she will save his life by giving him the answer. “Women wish to have complete control over husbands, lovers, and masters of their men.” “Women wish to have complete control over husbands, lovers, and masters of their men.” The Knight marries the hag, but hates his decision. The Knight marries the hag, but hates his decision. But once he gives in to her wishes, she becomes a beautiful, loving bride. But once he gives in to her wishes, she becomes a beautiful, loving bride.

The Pardoner from the Ellesmere manuscript (15 th century)

The Pardoner’s Tale 3 young men of drunk and riotous behavior search for Death. 3 young men of drunk and riotous behavior search for Death. An old man whom they insult tells them that Death lies up the hill under a tree. An old man whom they insult tells them that Death lies up the hill under a tree. They find bags of gold and plot to send the youngest for food and wine and then kill him for the gold. They find bags of gold and plot to send the youngest for food and wine and then kill him for the gold. He returns with poisoned wine and all die. He returns with poisoned wine and all die. “The love of money is the root of all evil.” “The love of money is the root of all evil.”