Geoffrey Chaucer Notes Chaucer is the author of the “Canterbury Tales”

Chaucer made speaking English Fashionable This was especially true in literature, science, politics, and religion. This was especially true in literature, science, politics, and religion. He wrote in a NW English dialect and then also wrote ballads. He wrote in a NW English dialect and then also wrote ballads.

Chaucer’s Stature He served as a government official under 3 different English kings. He served as a government official under 3 different English kings. He also composed vernacular which was the daily language of London and the mid-UK. He also composed vernacular which was the daily language of London and the mid-UK. He also became a page to a prominent ENG family and learned the proper social manners. He also became a page to a prominent ENG family and learned the proper social manners.

Chaucer’s Writing Background He wrote his first important poem, “The Book of Duchess,” in He wrote his first important poem, “The Book of Duchess,” in Also, “House of Fame;” “Parliament Fowls,” and “Troilus and Criseyde” Also, “House of Fame;” “Parliament Fowls,” and “Troilus and Criseyde” – While in Italy, he was influenced by Boccacio, Dante, and Petrarch – While in Italy, he was influenced by Boccacio, Dante, and Petrarch.

“Canterbury Tales” Facts Chaucer uses optimism, faith, spirit in vivid, wild character descriptions. Chaucer uses optimism, faith, spirit in vivid, wild character descriptions. He uses iambic pentameter to tell the story – an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable (10 to a line). He uses iambic pentameter to tell the story – an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable (10 to a line). Shows a pilgrimage where pilgrims visit the tombs of saints and other religious figures for enlightenment - takes place once a year. Shows a pilgrimage where pilgrims visit the tombs of saints and other religious figures for enlightenment - takes place once a year. In early 15 th C, an estimated 100,000 people made pilgrimages to Canterbury. In early 15 th C, an estimated 100,000 people made pilgrimages to Canterbury.

Thomas Becket A 12h Century martyr who was archbishop and excommunicated bishops who supported King Henry bc/ he stated if a bishop was accused of a crime, then he should be tried. A 12h Century martyr who was archbishop and excommunicated bishops who supported King Henry bc/ he stated if a bishop was accused of a crime, then he should be tried. 4 of the king’s knights murdered Becket in his cathedral and he was immediately canonized as a saint. 4 of the king’s knights murdered Becket in his cathedral and he was immediately canonized as a saint. People then travel to Becket’s shrine to be healed bc/ The Church said his body and blood were sacred. People also went there to give thanks. People then travel to Becket’s shrine to be healed bc/ The Church said his body and blood were sacred. People also went there to give thanks.

“Everyman” A drama written in the late 15 th C which is a morality play about abstract ideas such as knowledge and wealth. A drama written in the late 15 th C which is a morality play about abstract ideas such as knowledge and wealth. It states that Everyman is good but can be drawn into risqué behaviors by his senses. It states that Everyman is good but can be drawn into risqué behaviors by his senses. Focuses on Everyman’s behavior when he confronts death. Focuses on Everyman’s behavior when he confronts death.

Key “Canterbury Tales” – Prologue information Conventions: Conventions: Chaucer used the framing device where characters tell tales based on old plots. Chaucer used the framing device where characters tell tales based on old plots. Borrowed from “The Decameron” where people flee Italy to get away from the plague. Borrowed from “The Decameron” where people flee Italy to get away from the plague. His frame in the “Tales” is where characters go on a religious pilgrimage and tell two stories going and two stories returning. His frame in the “Tales” is where characters go on a religious pilgrimage and tell two stories going and two stories returning.

“Canterbury Tales” Overview 29 Pilgrims and the narrator go to Becket’s shrine. Setting – April and they leave from the Tabard Inn. 29 Pilgrims and the narrator go to Becket’s shrine. Setting – April and they leave from the Tabard Inn. Chaucer describes the pilgrims as he shows their personalities through direct and indirect characterizations. Chaucer describes the pilgrims as he shows their personalities through direct and indirect characterizations.

Divisions for Pilgrims: Feudal – Knights and squires Feudal – Knights and squires Religious – Monk, Friar, Nun Religious – Monk, Friar, Nun Merchants or professional class – Miller and Doctor Merchants or professional class – Miller and Doctor Chaucer describes the host’s proposal that each pilgrim tell 2 tales going to Becket’s tomb and two on the way back. Chaucer describes the host’s proposal that each pilgrim tell 2 tales going to Becket’s tomb and two on the way back. The omission of the last 22 lines of “The Prologue” leads into “The Knight’s Tale”. The omission of the last 22 lines of “The Prologue” leads into “The Knight’s Tale”.

Characterizations Direct – Telling us directly what the character is like…For example, ambitious, aggravated, easily manipulated. Direct – Telling us directly what the character is like…For example, ambitious, aggravated, easily manipulated. Indirect – Where we have to judge a character or put clues together to figure out what he or she is like. Indirect – Where we have to judge a character or put clues together to figure out what he or she is like. 1) Description of looks and dress 1) Description of looks and dress 2) How the character speaks 2) How the character speaks 3) Reveal the character’s inner thoughts and feelings 3) Reveal the character’s inner thoughts and feelings 4) Showing how other characters behave and feel toward this character 4) Showing how other characters behave and feel toward this character 5) Show the character’s actions 5) Show the character’s actions