The Canterbury Tales By Geoffrey Chaucer Here bygynneth the Book of the Tales of Caunterbury…

Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales is a frame story about an unrelated group of twenty-nine pilgrims traveling together on a pilgrimage. The Canterbury Tales is a frame story about an unrelated group of twenty-nine pilgrims traveling together on a pilgrimage. Chaucer's original plan for The Canterbury Tales projected about 120 stories, two for each pilgrim to tell on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back. Chaucer's original plan for The Canterbury Tales projected about 120 stories, two for each pilgrim to tell on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back.

Where are they going and why? A pilgrimage = traveling to a sacred place for the purpose of penance. A pilgrimage = traveling to a sacred place for the purpose of penance. Penance = most often the saying of prayers, giving of alms or other acts to make up for sins. Penance = most often the saying of prayers, giving of alms or other acts to make up for sins. Take a virtual pilgrimage at: Take a virtual pilgrimage at: crusades.boisestate.edu/vpilgrim/ crusades.boisestate.edu/vpilgrim/

Thomas `a Becket Archbishop of Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury Assassinated in 1170 Assassinated in 1170 Resulted in a backlash against the English monarchy Resulted in a backlash against the English monarchy Thomas was martyred; he became St. Thomas. Thomas was martyred; he became St. Thomas. Chaucer’s pilgrims are on their way to visit his shrine in The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer’s pilgrims are on their way to visit his shrine in The Canterbury Tales.

Genre of Canterbury Tales = Estates Satire Widespread genre in medieval Europe Widespread genre in medieval Europe Aim is to give an analysis of society in terms of hierarchy, social function, and morality Aim is to give an analysis of society in terms of hierarchy, social function, and morality

Society is divided into three estates: those who fight, those who pray, those who labor Society is divided into three estates: those who fight, those who pray, those who labor Chaucer provides an ideal for each of these estates…who are they? Chaucer provides an ideal for each of these estates…who are they? There is one pilgrim that does not fit into any of these groups. Who is he? There is one pilgrim that does not fit into any of these groups. Who is he?

What is the goal of satire? The aim of satire is to reform society by pointing out folly or vice The aim of satire is to reform society by pointing out folly or vice Optimistic assumption…if you know what is good/right, you will do it Optimistic assumption…if you know what is good/right, you will do it

What is the satirist’s dilemma? Those members who appreciate satire already get it Those members who appreciate satire already get it Those members who do not get it will not recognize selves in the portraits and will miss the point. They will assume that satire is meanspirited. Those members who do not get it will not recognize selves in the portraits and will miss the point. They will assume that satire is meanspirited.

Howdy, Pilgrims… General Prologue gives us an anatomy of society General Prologue gives us an anatomy of society We can tell something about morality, rank, etc. from external features We can tell something about morality, rank, etc. from external features External appearance is a sign of intangible qualities of a person…still a factor today (aka dressing the part) External appearance is a sign of intangible qualities of a person…still a factor today (aka dressing the part)

Pilgrims are individuals, not groups, but they are known by their professions Pilgrims are individuals, not groups, but they are known by their professions Individualizing details are rare; most are in some way connected with what that particular pilgrim ought—and usually fails—to do Individualizing details are rare; most are in some way connected with what that particular pilgrim ought—and usually fails—to do

A Virtual Tour of Canterbury