1. The Canterbury Tales

2. The Medieval period Lasted from around the 5th to the 15th Century
Society governed by the feudal system, which replaced Anglo- Saxon social structure
This system established different ruling classes, with the king as the leader of the nation; at the bottom were free laborers and serfs, or enslaved peoples who worked for other classes

4. Code of chivalry
Women had few to no political rights during the period
Chivalry: moral and social law and customs of upper classes during the Middle Ages
The Code of Chivalry was based around three areas: how to behave as far as war, religion, and women.
All knights were supposed to obey this code
Courtly love: medieval way of appropriately showing love and admiration; typically secret and between two members of the noble class

5. The Medieval period
The Black Death (bubonic plague) affected the population of medieval Europe – and England – greatly
From , the disease killed about 1.5 million people in medieval England, out of a population of of 4 million
Transmitted through infected fleas that fed on rats and humans
Brought about social, economic, and religious changes

7. Author background
The Canterbury Tales were written by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Lived from around
Worked in a royal house, as a soldier, as a diplomat, and as a royal clerk
No clear inspiration for the Tales: may have been based on Chaucer’s own pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Thomas Becket
Often called the Father of English Poetry.

8. The Canterbury Tales Believed to have been started around 1380
Considered to be unfinished – only around 24 of the 120 stories were completed
Originally written in Middle English
In the story, 30 pilgrims are traveling to the tomb of Thomas Becket
Becket was appointed archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II to help the king control the Catholic Church
Becket turned on the king and was assassinated by his knights
Struggle between king and church

9. The canterbury tales
The tales represent many different social classes in medieval life
Very different from other literature of the period
Realism
Characterization: direct vs. indirect
What do we know about the characters? Are we told, or shown?
Direct: direct statements about a character
Indirect: uses action, dialogue, and thoughts to reveal a character’s personality