1. The Canterbury Tales

2. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change
The Plague killed 1/3-1/2 of the population between 1348 and 1350

3. 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 - a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.
Like sarcasm He says one thing, but means another.
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.

4. Snapshots of an Era. . . Two types of Satire:
1. Juvenalian - After the Roman satirist Juvenal: Formal satire in which the speaker attacks vice and error with contempt and indignation Juvenalian satire in its realism and its harshness is in strong contrast to Horatian satire.
{Serious – Critical}
2. Horatian - After the Roman satirist Horace: Satire in which the voice is indulgent, tolerant, amused, and witty. The speaker holds up to gentle ridicule the absurdities and follies of human beings, aiming at producing in the reader not the anger of a Juvenal, but a wry smile.
{Light – Funny}

5. Snapshots of an Era. . . Satire (continued . . . ):
Also, so that we might better understand his satirical characterization, Chaucer creates SATIRIC NORMS.
A SATIRIC NORM is a character that represents the perfect ideal.
We can then see how BAD everyone else is by comparing them to this Satiric Norm.

6. 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 . . .

7. Chaucer Late 1300s: a period of social crisis and change
The Plague killed roughly 1/3-1/2 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)

8. I. Geoffrey Chaucer Son of vinter Held civil service positions
Well-travelled
Read English, Latin, Italian, and French
His work was popular
He was praised for making English suitable for poetry

9. II. The Tales Begun: 1386 Planned: 120 tales
Completed: 22 and 2 fragments
Remaining: 80 manuscripts
Variety of genres: prologue is satire
Pilgrimage as a framing device for tales
Conventional springtime opening
Ernest and game – instruction and entertainment

10. III. Pilgrimage Very popular to go on pilgrimage
Pilgrims often went to Rome or Jerusalem
Canterbury Cathedral: shrine to Thomas a Becket
Reasons
Hope of heavenly reward
Penance
Pubs
People went in groups for safety

11. Prologue
Chaucer has the idea to bring together 29 “sondry folk” in a pilgrimage (“by aventure [chance]”)
Represent a wide range of 14th century English society
Makes comprehensive study of humans
Perfect way to present his irony
By adventure (chance)
Most of these people on the journey would never have anything to do with each other socially. Differing social classes, orders, etc.
The best way for Chaucer to bring together
Makes comprehensive study of humans (his favorite subject)
Perfect way to present his special brand of irony

12. Prologue Each pilgrim Teller of best tale is rewarded at the end
tell two stories on the way to Canterbury
two stories on the way back
Plan proposed by Harry Bailey, host of the Tabard Inn
Teller of best tale is rewarded at the end
A dinner provided by his fellow pilgrims at the Tabard
Harry Bailey is judge
Each pilgrim is supposed to tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two stories on the way back.
Plan is proposed by Harry Bailey, the host of the Tabard Inn
Teller of best tale is rewarded at the end with a dinner provided by his fellow pilgrims at the Tabard.
Harry Bailey will be the judge

13. Prologue
Prologue sets the scene and introduces reader to the characters
Between many of the tales Chaucer expounds upon the personalities of the pilgrims.
Number of arguments that prepare for subsequent tales
Some pilgrims introduce a tale with a commentary on his/her own personal life
Prologue sets the scene and introduces reader to the characters
Between many of the tales Chaucer provides links that expound upon the personalities of the pilgrims (adds more dramatic interest).
Number of arguments that prepare for subsequent tales
Some pilgrims introduce a tale with a commentary on his own personal life

14. Prologue Chaucer’s project was never finished
Only 22 and 2 fragments of the tales exist
Tales were probably composed at various times in Chaucer’s life

15. Literary Analysis
Each character in The Canterbury Tales represents a different segment of society in Chaucer’s time. By noting the virtues and faults of each, Chaucer provides social commentary, writing that offers insight into society, its values, and its customs. While reading, draw conclusions from the characters about Chaucer’s views on English society.

16. 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.

17. Prologue Group is on its way to the holy shrine of St. Thomas ă Becket
Archbishop of Canterbury
opposed Henry II over the balance between royal and religious power
was murdered in the cathedral
Considered a martyr and later made a saint
His blood was held to contain great curative qualities, restoring health to the sick
Group is on its way to the holy shrine of St. Thomas à Becket
Archbishop of Canterbury who opposed Henry II over the balance between royal and religious power; was murdered in the cathedral
Considered a martyr and later made a saint
His blood was held to contain great curative qualities, restoring health to the sick
Some are going to the shrine to have their sicknesses healed. (Small quantities of Becket’s blood was given to pilgrims for centuries after his death

18. V. Pilgrim descriptions
Show social rank
Show moral and spiritual condition
Include many of the following
Physiognomy
Clothes (array)
Work
Hobbies
Food
Humour

19. 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

20. Literary Devices Frame tale:
Narrative technique whereby a main story is composed, at least in part, for the purpose of organizing a set of shorter stories, each of which is a story within a story.

21. Heroic Couplet
Pioneered by Chaucer
Poems constructed from a sequence of rhyming pairs of iambic pentameter lines

22. Romance Stories of adventure about knights and chivalry Courtly love:
Celebrates the love of a knight, usually for a married woman
Knights are so madly in love with these women that it consumes their thoughts.
Knights try to do many great deeds in hopes of winning their love.