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Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales
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Early Life born c. 1340 son of a prosperous wine merchant
learned Latin, Greek, French, and Italian joined the royal household and became a trusted messenger and minor diplomat
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As a Royal Messenger Chaucer was frequently sent across the continent on secret business for the King. Some of these trips were to Italy where he became acquainted with the works of the great Italian authors: Boccaccio, Dante, Petrarch These 3 were the greatest Italian writers of the early Renaissance period
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Other Jobs Chaucer Held…and Learned From...
Controller of Customs on Wools, Skins and Hides for the Port of London Here he would meet many types of businessmen, sailors, travelers city folk and common laborers Clerk of the King’s Works In charge of construction and repairs affecting the royal residences; here he would meet many guildsmen as well as court officials Deputy Forester of the King’s Forests Away from the city, he met peasants, foresters, local clergy and other country folk Representative of the Shire of Kent in Parliament Here he met the rich, the influential and the upper middle class as well as the higher ranking church officials
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Canterbury Tales
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Canterbury Tales is considered Chaucer’s masterpiece
First writer to use English vernacular (even the commoners could enjoy them) Listen... It tells stories about people from all classes of medieval society
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A FRAME TALE What is a Frame Tale?
A large story that is filled with many smaller stories The ‘frame’ of Canterbury Tales is the trip (the pilgrimage) to Canterbury.
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I. Members of the Feudal System
Knight Squire Yeoman Franklin Plowman Miller Reeve
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II. People in Religious Life
Nun Monk Friar Cleric Parson Summoner Pardoner
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III. The Rising Middle Class
Merchant Sergeant at the Law Five Tradesman Cook Skipper Doctor Wife of Bath Manciple Host – Innkeeper
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London
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But why go to Canterbury?
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Canterbury was a Pilgrimage Site
People of all classes went on pilgrimages to holy sites to ask for help with medical, financial or other problems.
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The Shrine of St. Thomas à Becket
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Canterbury Cathedral became a site for pilgrims to offer prayers to St
Canterbury Cathedral became a site for pilgrims to offer prayers to St. Thomas since that is where he was murdered.
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Today, a modern cross made from swords marks the site of the martyrdom.
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A close-up of the altar.
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Why did Chaucer write TCT?
The Church was in control Many people in the Church were corrupt Chaucer wanted to bring awareness How? Wrote The Canterbury Tales Used Satire and Irony
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Satire A literary technique in which ideas, customs, behaviors, or institutions are ridiculed for the purpose of bringing about social reform Examples: SNL The Daily Show The Office South Park
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And so the story begins...
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Videos The Prologue: Middle English
The Prologue: Introduction (start – 1:48) The Prologue: Pardoner (:25 – 2:40) The Pardoner's Tale (Animated)
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