1. Canterbury Tales Chaucer and The General Prologue

2. Who is Chaucer?

3. Canterbury Tales Written around 1387-1400 Written by Geoffrey Chaucer – One of his most famous works, Canterbury Tales – Influenced by Boccacio’s, Decameron – Intended to write 120 tales – Set up as a framing narrative -a story within a story

4. What happened?  He died-  Reason for death is unknown  Due to his death, he never was able to finish all 120 of the tales  Very influential  Shakespeare  Poets’ corner

5. Prologue Chaucer has the idea to bring together 29 “sundry folk” by way of a pilgrimage (“by adventure [chance]”) – Represent a wide range of 14 th century English society Brought together different “classes” of people Perfect way to present his irony – Irony: portray attitudes that are contradictory – to the real attitudes/beliefs of the time period

6. Prologue Represent a wide range of 14 th century English society – 3 Groups Represent: Agricultural feudalism – Landownership and service » Knight’s yeoman » Franklin Urbanization – Change in feudal structure » Doctor » Guildsmen The Church – One of the most powerful elements in medieval society » 9 of pilgrims belong to clergy

7. Prologue Each pilgrim – tells 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

8. 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

9. Prologue Chaucer’s project was never finished – Only 24 tales exist Tales were probably composed at various times in Chaucer’s life

10. Prologue Begins with a long, rhetorical sentence in “high style” describing spring. Gradually descends into a more “realistic” style of expository narrative.

11. Activity: Begin reading the prologue. Once Chaucer begins to introduce the characters, start taking notes on each character and the description of the character (this is to be started now and finished for homework). Start on page 15-23 (read right hand side of the text). Look at page 7 for description of the breakdown of the different social classes represented. CHARACTERDESCRIPTION Knight Squire