1. Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

2. Chaucer’s Life Born around 1345 in Ipswich, England
Family was well-off, owning land in one of the wealthiest parts of medieval London.
Was a young page in the household of Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess of Ulster.
Served in the king’s army and was captured by the French troops during his service
Married Phillipa Roet, lady in waiting to the Queen, in 1366.
Made squire in Edward’s court- 1367
In 1370, Chaucer served his second stint with the king’s army in France.

3. What is a Pilgrimage? A very long journey, usually to a shrine.
A search for great moral significance
Often religious.
Southwark (London) to Canterbury is roughly 60 miles.

4. The Canterbury Tales
Takes place during a pilgrimage from the Tabard Inn in Southwark to Canterbury Cathedral.
26 pilgrims are identified in the prologue.
Left incomplete and in 10 fragments.
1st book purposefully written in English.
Introduces the middle class.

6. From the Tabard to Canterbury
The Tabard Inn
Canterbury Cathedral

7. The Destination
Canterbury Cathedral

8. History of the Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer began writing the tales around 1387 AD
Uncompleted manuscript of The Canterbury Tales published 1400AD, the year he died
First book of poetry purposely written in the English language
Set a precedent and poets from Shakespeare to Dryden and Keats to Eliot owe him a debt of gratitude

9. Ellesmere Manuscript

10. The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales Literary Focus: Frame Story
These tales are told through a “frame” structure. Frame structure is a literary device in which a story or stories are told within another story.
A series of stories told by individuals representing a cross-section of medieval English society who undergo a Christian pilgrimage from London to Canterbury.
Told as a game to make the journey less tiresome and grueling, and to see who tells the best tale.
Many different storytellers—some rough, vain, or materialistic; others wise, pious, or noble.
Therefore, many different tales...intended to have 120!!!

11. Artistry of Form
Each pilgrim was to tell two stories on the way and two coming back
Despite being unfinished, (44 tales) there is a clear indication of a plan
Chaucer was writing and collecting whatever occurred to him, but it was likely to find a more firmly constructed structure as it neared completion.

12. Rise of the Middle Class & Medieval Guilds
An association of craftsmen from a particular trade.
Had to obtain grants from a monarch or other authority to control the flow of trade.
Types of guilds:
Merchant Guilds- local, long-distance, whole-sale, or retail
Craft Guilds- weavers, dyers, blacksmiths, painters, leatherworkers, butchers etc.
Previous social groups:
Kings, lords, clergy, peasants
Middle class emerges during the 12th century.
Burghers formed guilds to control trade and manufacturing.
Obtained town charters and reduce feudal obligations.

13. Merits of Meaning
Creates a microcosm (miniature copy) of medieval English life.
This is called social commentary = written or oral message that expresses a position on a social issue.)
Aristocracy – lineage and tradition
Upper Class – acquired wealth
Middle Class – trade mastery
Virtuous Lower Class – poor but moral
Degraded Lower Class – no morals

14. Mastery of Character
Part of his mastery rests with creating characters who take turns telling tales
Chaucer shows us (reader) the virtues and faults of each character
They have depth and the appearance of being true
Characters are created through:
Physical descriptions (some quite graphic)
Characters interacting with each other
The tales themselves reflecting character (often specifically their personalities and motivations)

15. The Pilgrims of the Prologue
The Knight
The Miller
The Reeve
The Cook
The Man of Law
The Wife of Bath
The Friar
The Summoner
The Clerk
The Merchant
The Squire
The Franklin
The Physician
The Pardoner
The Shipman
The Prioress
The Monk
The Nun’s Priest
The Canon’s Yeoman
The Manciple
The Parson

16. The Pilgrims of Canterbury

17. The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales Literary Focus: Characterization
Chaucer also uses direct characterization, when he comes right out and tells us what a character’s nature is—virtuous, vain, clever, and so on.
There was a Friar, a wanton one and merry, A Limiter, a very festive fellow.
In all Four Orders there was none so mellow,
So glib with gallant phrase and well-turned speech.

18. The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales Literary Focus: Characterization
Chaucer uses indirect characterization when he tells how each character
looks and dresses
This yeoman wore a coat and hood of green, And peacock-feathered arrows, bright and keen
speaks and acts
Her greatest oath was only “By St. Loy!”
thinks and feels
And gladly would he learn, and gladly teach.

19. Literary Characteristics of The Canterbury Tales
SATIRE
When an author ridicules and exposes the faults of his or her subject
Used in order to provoke change
The Canterbury Tales is a very important satire, pointing out the need for change in Medieval beliefs and practices
Two tools Chaucer uses to create satire are
1. verbal irony
2. physiognomy

20. Literary Characteristics of The Canterbury Tales
VERBAL IRONY
PHYSIOGNOMY
Is when there is a meaningful contrast between what is said and what is actually meant
Example: Saying, “The best monk,” when really the monk does not really adhere to the ideals of monastic life
The use of physical appearance to suggest attributes of a person’s character or personality
Example: Think of evil stepmother figures in Disney movies. Their harsh, angular appearances always hint at their malevolent motives