Geoffrey Chaucer Humoristand The Father of English Literature
Language of the Day Latin – the language of the church Latin – the language of the church French – the language of the literate and educated people French – the language of the literate and educated people Middle English – the language of the common man Middle English – the language of the common man
Popular forms of drama Miracle plays – performed biblical stories; they entertained and supported the power of the church Miracle plays – performed biblical stories; they entertained and supported the power of the church Morality plays – emerged during the 15 th century. These plays presented characters who represented virtues and vices; they reinforced the cultural norms Morality plays – emerged during the 15 th century. These plays presented characters who represented virtues and vices; they reinforced the cultural norms
Canterbury Tales Written in Middle English ( ) Written in Middle English ( ) Served as an example for other writers Served as an example for other writers Presented a cross section of society: feudal – knight, squire, yeoman, franklin, reeve, miller, plowman ecclesiastical – parson, summoner, monk, prioress, friar, pardoner, student Presented a cross section of society: feudal – knight, squire, yeoman, franklin, reeve, miller, plowman ecclesiastical – parson, summoner, monk, prioress, friar, pardoner, student urban – physician, lawyer, merchant, shipman, tradesman, cook, wife of bath, innkeeper urban – physician, lawyer, merchant, shipman, tradesman, cook, wife of bath, innkeeper
Structure Canterbury Tales is the first collection of short stories in English literature. Canterbury Tales is the first collection of short stories in English literature. Written in iambic pentameter – five strong syllables, each followed by a weak syllable Written in iambic pentameter – five strong syllables, each followed by a weak syllable Free verse as well as rhyming couplets Free verse as well as rhyming couplets Narrator – Chaucer; he is detached but gives an honest and objective account of each character Narrator – Chaucer; he is detached but gives an honest and objective account of each character
A Frame Story A frame around which to group many stories A frame around which to group many stories 30 pilgrims are traveling to Canterbury – to St. Thomas a Becket’s shrine in the springtime 30 pilgrims are traveling to Canterbury – to St. Thomas a Becket’s shrine in the springtime Each pilgrim is to tell two tales going and two tales leaving Canterbury Each pilgrim is to tell two tales going and two tales leaving Canterbury 30 pilgrims x 4 = 120 tales; Chaucer only completed 24 of the tales 30 pilgrims x 4 = 120 tales; Chaucer only completed 24 of the tales
More about the Frame Story They start from Southwark and move to Canterbury They start from Southwark and move to Canterbury They initially gather at the Tabard Inn They initially gather at the Tabard Inn Harry Bailly is the host of this group. He pledges to have a feast in honor of the pilgrim who tells the best tale. Harry Bailly is the host of this group. He pledges to have a feast in honor of the pilgrim who tells the best tale.
Tone of Canterbury Tales Blends satire and praise Blends satire and praise Reveals what is base and what is noble/human in all people Reveals what is base and what is noble/human in all people