The Middle Ages
The father of English poetry by making the English language respectable Prior to Chaucer’s influence, literature, science and diplomacy was written in Latin; but Chaucer made English noteworthy due to his social nature and for being a well known government official who served under 3 kings Composed in every day vernacular (language) which made him appealing to the people
Well educated, legally trained and good mannered A captured soldier in France when serving during the Hundreds Years War Became a member of Parliament and enjoyed the protection of the King
His wife died of the plague and his poem “The Book of Duchess” is written in her memory His writings are allegorical – and allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation
The greatness of the work lies in the language During a dark and troubled age, his work was comfortable, optimistic, serene and full of faith Written in iambic pentameter (10 syllables per line)
A pilgrimage (religious journey) from London to the shrine of martyr Saint Thomas a Becket at Canterbury Cathedral The prologue introduces you to the pilgrims – who in turn represent Middle Ages England; and yet today represent all walks of life as well 55 mile journey on horseback 29 pilgrims total 2 stories to Canterbury 2 stories back to London Best story told gets a free dinner
Characterization – process of which the writer reveals the personality of a character An author may create a character by: ◦ Telling us directly what a character is like ◦ Describing how a character looks and dresses ◦ Presenting the character’s words and actions ◦ Revealing the character’s private thoughts and feelings ◦ Showing how other people respond to the character
A story that includes any number of different narratives ◦ Canterbury Tales is a collection of narratives – each of the pilgrim’s tells a story
Where does the story begin? What is the challenge and why does the challenge exist? Identify the pilgrims and characterize each as they exist within the prologue
Without copying the pictures as they exist within the text, characterize your assigned pilgrim as they appear within the prologue Draw a representation of your pilgrim using symbols, words, caricatures, to depict your pilgrim What do they say? How do they act? What do they look like? What do others say about them? What does the author tell you about the character? Choose one quote from the introduction that best identifies/illustrates your pilgrim
KnightSquireYeoman Nun/PrioressMonkFriar MerchantStudentLawyer FranklinCookDoctor SkipperParsonMiller MancipleReeve SummonerPardonerThe Host.