Chaucers The Canterbury Tales An Introduction Medieval England

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction Medieval England Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales The General Prologue Resources Created by S. Wilson - 2010

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction Medieval England • Medieval England was a dark time due to civil war within England neighbouring countries such as Scotland, France and Wales. • The Black Death (Bubonic Plague) arrived in England in 1348 and killed as much as a third to a half of the population • Hundred Years’ War between France and England raging • British Throne is authority in the country. Close relationship with Church at the time

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction Geoffrey Chaucer • Born around 1348 • Chaucer’s father works directly with King so he grows up in wealthy surroundings • Chaucer works for Prince and Princess around 1358 • Piers Plowman (Langland) published in 1362. First work in English since 1066. • King Edward III grants Chaucer “ 20 francs for life” as a pension for his writing • Chaucer receives a “pitcher of wine daily” as part of his pay and his made Director of Customs

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction Geoffrey Chaucer • Chaucer serves in France and Italy on behalf of the King • Began writing Canterbury Tales around 1374 • Elected to early Parliament in England • Later becomes “Clerk of the Works” and is responsible for major projects including Tower of London, Westminster, and several castles • Last record of Chaucer is 1400.

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction The Canterbury Tales • Canterbury Tales famous as being one of the first “classics” of English literature • Point of tales is to show an “ironic and critical portrait of society at the time” • Written in “Middle English”, (1066 -1470) • Many versions in different orders existed and have been translated and interpreted ever since

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction The Canterbury Tales • Example of Middle English vs. Modern English: The General Prologue - in Middle English

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction The Canterbury Tales • At the time storytelling was most popular form of entertainment • Structure of the tales depends on the characters who tell them, mimicking how people told stories at the time • Uses rhetorical devices effectively to comment on society • Questions the Church after the devastation of the Black Death • Pilgrimages were also popular for religious reasons, (i. e. Canterbury believed to have healing powers)

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction The Canterbury Tales • Canterbury Tales contains 29 tales although only 22 exist as Chaucer died before the tales were completed. • Some tales (i. e. Cook’s Tale) are thought to be incomplete • Each character tells their tale and each tale makes a comment on an aspect of society. For example, the Pardoner, a religious man, talks about being corrupt. Therefore, Chaucer is saying the church is corrupt.

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction The General Prologue • The General Prologue is narrated by Chaucer • 29 travelers meet at an Inn on their way to Canterbury to visit a miraculous healing fountain • To pass the time on the pilgrimage each pilgrim will tell two tales • The General Prologue introduces the reader to each character and also develops the rest of the story • Canterbury Tales is mostly written in verse although small sections appear in prose

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales An Introduction Resources Wikipedia: The Canterbury Tales http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Canterbury_Tales Sparknotes: The Canterbury Tales http: //www. sparknotes. com/lit/canterbury/ Canterbury Tales – Original Text http: //www. canterburytales. org/canterbury_tales. html