1. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
Background Introduction

2. Geoffrey Chaucer c. 1343-1400 Considered the father of English poetry
Wrote in the vernacular – common language of the people (English)
Served as a soldier, government servant, and member of Parliament
Introduced iambic pentameter
First writer buried in Westminster Abbey

3. Chaucer’s Work
Chaucer’s work experience and travels afforded him with the ability to see people from all levels of society
This exposure allows him to write characters who represent the lower, middle, and upper classes
This in itself is unique. No longer does literature only present the lives of kings and warriors.

4. Background of these tales
Geoffrey Chaucer wrote this story in the late 1300’s but never finished it.
He wrote in the native language or vernacular of the Medieval period in Britain called Middle English.

5. Middle English
The Canterbury Tales was written in Middle English, the primary language spoken by the population
In part due to CT’s popularity, Middle English becomes primary language for the royal court and upper class as well
Chaucer is called “The Father of English Literature”

6. The Premise
Chaucer uses a pilgrimage (religious journey) as a way for 29 characters to share their stories
Leaving from the Tabard Inn (below), the pilgrims are instructed to tell 2 tales on the way to Canterbury Cathedral and 2 on the return journey
Best tale will be rewarded by the inn owner and host of the journey

7. The Story
Twenty nine people that represent all aspects of Medieval society go on a pilgrimage to the cathedral at Canterbury in southeast England.

8. The Premise Pilgrimages were popular in the period
Show your devotion
Healing properties
Archbishop Thomas a Becket murdered inside Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 when he disagreed with King Henry II over church rights and privileges
The Church canonized him within 3 years of the murder
Most popular pilgrimage site in England in the 13oo’s
Stained glass depicting two knights of King Henry II stabbing Archbishop Thomas a Becket

9. The cathedral at Canterbury is the main cathedral of the Church of England. The shrine to the martyr Saint Thomas a Becket is located at this cathedral.

10. Saint Thomas a Becket was the archbishop of Canterbury, and in 1170 he was martyred by some knights of the king of England, Henry II, who was overheard complaining about Becket’s loyalty to the church at Rome over his loyalty to his king.

11. Structure of The Canterbury Tales
3 Parts
1: General Prologue
2: Characters’ Prologues
3: Characters’ Tales

12. The story format
Chaucer’s characters are going to pay respects to this shrine as a part of a religious pilgrimage. They all meet at a tavern to begin their journey.

13. General Prologue
Chaucer’s poem begins with an introduction of all the pilgrims, the host, and Chaucer (who adds himself as a fictional narrator)
Each person is particularly identified by profession and appearance; there is also implied moral judgment.
The GP also sets up the journey and frames the characters’ individual stories

14. Literary Characteristics
FRAME STORY:
A literary device in which a smaller story is told within the context of the tale
Example: Chaucer is telling the story of the pilgrims; within that, smaller tales are told

15. Literary Characteristics
HEROIC COUPLETS:
2 paired lines of poetry, written in iambic pentameter (meter). The pair (or couplet) must RHYME.
Introduced by Chaucer!
Example:
“You’re off to Canterbury - well, God speed!/
Blessed St. Thomas answer to your need!”

16. Literary Characteristics
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 and 2. physiognomy

17. Literary Characteristics
VERBAL IRONY
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

18. Literary Characteristics
PHYSIOGNOMY:
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

19. Types of Tales ALLEGORY
A story with the purpose of teaching a moral lesson
Characters and events represent abstract qualities or ideas. The writer intends a secondary meaning.
Characters are often personifications of abstractions like greed, envy, etc.
Example: The Pardoner’s Tale

20. Types of Tales ROMANCE:
A story focusing on the episodic adventures of knights and the challenges they face
Example: The Wife of Bath’s Tale

21. Some of the characters
The host of the tavern or innkeeper is the man who suggests that the pilgrims each tell a story on the way to entertain the group. Chaucer intended for each to tell 2 stories, but he only got to write one apiece.

22. The following characters are the wife of Bath and the pardoner,

23. The following characters are the priest and the miller

24. And two more familiar characters are the knight and his squire

25. The Journey Begins . . .
The Canterbury Tales is actually a story about stories, twenty-four different tales set within the overarching tale of the pilgrimage.
Definition:
Frame Story – a story within a story
The Outer Frame Story is about the pilgrims meeting at the Tabard Inn preparing for a journey to Canterbury.
The Inner Frame Story would be all the stories told by the assembled pilgrims along their journey to and from Canterbury.

26. Snapshots of an Era. . .
In the Prologue, Chaucer sketches a brief but vivid portrait of each pilgrim, creating a lively sense of medieval life.
The description may literally describe an article of clothing, but figuratively imply something about that character.
Definition: Satire – to describe in hyperbolic or humorous ways but with intent for change.
Our job is to read and comprehend the literal description of each pilgrim, and then, we must figuratively interpret what Chaucer is trying to imply about that pilgrim’s character.

27. Snapshots of an Era. . .
In the Prologue, Chaucer examines three segments of Medieval England:
1. The Old Feudal order – these are all of the pilgrims associated with the feudal class system.
Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Plowman . . .
2. The Merchant Class – this was the rising middle class of the time; towns and cities were emerging and therefore necessitated the need for skilled services:
Merchant, Man of Law, Guildsmen, Cook . . .
3. The Ecclesiastical (Church) Class – these were all of the members of the church. Chaucer is most critical of this segment of his society.
Prioress, Monk, Friar, Pardoner . . .

28. A Literary Tour. . .
Chaucer uses the popular genres of his time when he creates the inner stories of the various pilgrims:
Romances (tales of chivalry)
The Wife of Bath’s Tale
Fabliaux (short, bawdy, humorous stories)
The Miller’s Tale
The stories of saint’s lives, sermons
The Parson’s Tale
Allegories (narratives in which characters represent abstractions such as Pride or Honor).
The Pardoner’s Tale
Chaucer wrote much of the Tales using his own form, the heroic couplet, a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables each.

29. Literary Analysis Characterization
Direct characterization presents direct statements about a character, such as Chaucer’s statement that the Knight “followed chivalry, / Truth, honor. . . .”
Indirect characterization uses actions, thoughts, and dialogue to reveal a character’s personality. By saying “he was not gaily dressed,” for instance, Chaucer suggests that the Knight is not vain and perhaps takes the pilgrimage seriously enough to rush to join it straight from battle.