1. GEOFFREY CHAUCER “THE CANTERBURY TALES” “ As Newton numbered the stars, and as Linneus numbered the plants, so Chaucer numbered the classes of men…” W. Blake

2. WHY ARE THE TALES STILL POPULAR? They give a wonderful picture of society in the fourteenth century. Chaucer includes all types of people in his books: the Knight, The Miller, the Pardoner and so on They give a wonderful picture of society in the fourteenth century. Chaucer includes all types of people in his books: the Knight, The Miller, the Pardoner and so on The Tales deal with topics and emotions which still interest us today. Through his stories, Chaucer discusses the “war” between men and women, reveals the morals of the personages. The Tales deal with topics and emotions which still interest us today. Through his stories, Chaucer discusses the “war” between men and women, reveals the morals of the personages. The Tales form an important part of the development of literature in England. Chaucer has a title of “the Father of English Literature”. The Tales form an important part of the development of literature in England. Chaucer has a title of “the Father of English Literature”.

3. Summary A group of pilgrims are travelling from the Tabard Inn in London to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. On the way, they decide that each traveller should tell a story – about love, marriage, war, jealousy, magic. A group of pilgrims are travelling from the Tabard Inn in London to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. On the way, they decide that each traveller should tell a story – about love, marriage, war, jealousy, magic. A view of the Canterbury Cathedral

4. The KNIGHT’S TALE “ There is no law in love” (Arcite) “ There is no law in love” (Arcite) Two friends Arcite and Palamon fell in love with fair Emily when saw her through the window in the prison. When released, fight for their love, forgetting about friendship. During the competition Arcite was injured and died. Emily married Palamon. Two friends Arcite and Palamon fell in love with fair Emily when saw her through the window in the prison. When released, fight for their love, forgetting about friendship. During the competition Arcite was injured and died. Emily married Palamon. A French illumination of Emily being watched by Palamon and Arcite.

5. The topics the knight touches upon The topics the knight touches upon Being a representative of aristocracy, the knight touches upon some subjects which are quite typical for the class: love, the feeling of adoration to the Fair Lady, chivalry. Being a representative of aristocracy, the knight touches upon some subjects which are quite typical for the class: love, the feeling of adoration to the Fair Lady, chivalry. LOVE: “…my own lady, whom I must love and serve until I die!” LOVE: “…my own lady, whom I must love and serve until I die!” THE FAIR LADY: “That Emily, lovelier to look upon//than is the lily on its stalk of green…” THE FAIR LADY: “That Emily, lovelier to look upon//than is the lily on its stalk of green…” CHIVALRY: “…as I’m a knight;//And I’ll bring arms enough for you and me;//Choose you the best, and leave the worst for me.” “Now both of you must swear an oath to me// That you will never do my country harm…” CHIVALRY: “…as I’m a knight;//And I’ll bring arms enough for you and me;//Choose you the best, and leave the worst for me.” “Now both of you must swear an oath to me// That you will never do my country harm…”

6. Stylistic analysis of The Knight’s Tale The knight’s speech is high-flown and rather pathetic: “I beg you, for the love of God, submit with patience to our goal…” “Well may I die in despair and distress// Farewell my life, my joy, my happiness…” The knight’s speech is high-flown and rather pathetic: “I beg you, for the love of God, submit with patience to our goal…” “Well may I die in despair and distress// Farewell my life, my joy, my happiness…” It’s quite obvious that the knight is a skillful story- teller, as he uses a lot of “connectors” to make the story more vivid: “Once on a time, as old histories tell us…””But all these things I must pass over now” It’s quite obvious that the knight is a skillful story- teller, as he uses a lot of “connectors” to make the story more vivid: “Once on a time, as old histories tell us…””But all these things I must pass over now”

7. Most frequently used stylistic devices Personification: “And cruel Anger, red as burning coal,//The pickpocket; and Fear with visage pale…” “…till Fortune chose her time to spring her trap”. “It’s a true saying, neither Love or Power//Willingly brooks a rival or compeer…” Personification: “And cruel Anger, red as burning coal,//The pickpocket; and Fear with visage pale…” “…till Fortune chose her time to spring her trap”. “It’s a true saying, neither Love or Power//Willingly brooks a rival or compeer…” Allusions: “…a great head of Minotaur which he killed in Crete”. “He fought with Creon, who was king of Thebes…” “Caesar’s and Nero’s murders were portrayed” Allusions: “…a great head of Minotaur which he killed in Crete”. “He fought with Creon, who was king of Thebes…” “Caesar’s and Nero’s murders were portrayed” Comparison: “…fierce as a lion drew his sword”. “With green waves bright as glass…” “Palamon felt as if a cold sword slid// Suddenly through his heart”. Comparison: “…fierce as a lion drew his sword”. “With green waves bright as glass…” “Palamon felt as if a cold sword slid// Suddenly through his heart”. Epithets: “with cheerful heart”, “radiant Lady”, “a florid complexion”, “with a deathlike face”. Epithets: “with cheerful heart”, “radiant Lady”, “a florid complexion”, “with a deathlike face”. THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED STYLISTIC DEVICES

8. SYNTACTICAL DEVIСES Parallel constructions: “Nor was the porter, Idleness, passed by,// Nor yet the folly of king Solomon,// Nor the enormous strength of Hercules…” Parallel constructions: “Nor was the porter, Idleness, passed by,// Nor yet the folly of king Solomon,// Nor the enormous strength of Hercules…” Rhetorical questions: “And who but he// Feels twofold grief and pain? Rhetorical questions: “And who but he// Feels twofold grief and pain? Row of questions: ”And said: “Why do you look so deathly pale?// What is the matter, cousin? Are you ill?// Who has upset you? Why did you cry out?’’ Row of questions: ”And said: “Why do you look so deathly pale?// What is the matter, cousin? Are you ill?// Who has upset you? Why did you cry out?’’ Inversion: “Many a wealthy kingdom he had won…” “And delaying no longer, fort he rode…” Inversion: “Many a wealthy kingdom he had won…” “And delaying no longer, fort he rode…”

9. Conclusion Chaucer is the master of character drawing. He describes not only the behavior or appearance of men but also fills their speech with words which characterize them as representatives of a certain class (knight – high-flown speech, miller – slang and so on). The beginning of the Prologue from a mid- fifteenth-century manuscript of THE CANTERBURY TALES