Chaucer Text and Contexts

Chaucer Medieval England ca AD Mode of Production Regime of KnowledgeMode of Subjectivity FeudalismPlatonic Philosophy Communal Subsistence AgricultureAbsolute Truth Hierarchical Production for Local Consumption Roman Catholic Theism Extended Family Small-Craft Shop Industry Philosophical Idealism Tied to Local Community No Large-Scale International Trade Aristotelian-Christian Traditionalism Obligation between Manorial Lord and Serf

Chaucer Medieval England ca AD Form of Government Characteristic Art FormsReligion Aristocratic Feudalism Evolving Toward Centralized Divine-Right Monarchy Hero-Warrior Epic Didactic Art Aristocratic Patronage Celtic Paganism Gradually Replaced by Christianity Unified Catholicism Parallel Secular/Clerical Feudal Organization Church-Sponsored Art Persecution of Jews Confederations of strong Dukes/Counts under relatively weak Kings Anonymous Artists Crusades to Recover “Holy Lands” from Islamic Control

Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed 1/3 of the population between 1348 and 1350

Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War

Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class

Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class – Rising economic power of merchant class

Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class – Rising economic power of merchant class – Growth of towns and cities

Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class – Rising economic power of merchant class – Growth of towns and cities – Political power still rests with the aristocracy

Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change – The Plague killed roughly half the population by 1375 – Hundred Years War – Power struggles among the ruling class – Rising economic power of merchant class – Growth of towns and cities – Political power still rests with the aristocracy – Catholic Church continues to challenge political power of Crown (1170: St. Thomas Becket murdered by servants of Henry II)

Chaucer Canterbury Tales can be considered “estates satire” Three “Estates” in European feudal society – Peasants work (agricultural labor) – Clergy pray – Nobles fight (and rule) Canterbury Tales presents an elaborate critique and complication of this representation of the social order

Chaucer Canterbury Tales Characters: – Narrator (“Chaucer”) – Host (Harry Bailey) – Knight Squire Yeoman – Prioress Second Nun Three Priests – Monk – Friar – Merchant – Clerk (student) – Man of Law – Franklin – Guildsmen – Cook – Shipman – Physician – Wife of Bath – Parson – Plowman – Manciple – Reeve – Miller – Summoner – Pardoner