GEOFFREY CHAUCER AND THE CANTERBURY TALES GEOFFREY CHAUCER

GEOFFREY CHAUCER AND THE CANTERBURY TALES

GEOFFREY CHAUCER 1343? -1400 Was close to the aristocrats, but not a nobleman While serving in the English Army in France, he was captured and held prisoner King Edward paid the ransom Married a lady-in-waiting (to the queen) Considered to be the Greatest English Poet

THE CANTERBURY TALES Shows readers the true Medieval World 14 th century England Chaucer participated in the pilgrimage to Canterbury Pilgrimage – a long journey to a holy site or shrine taken by those who are devout This pilgrimage is a trip to a cathedral in Canterbury upon the death of the beloved Thomas a Becket (Archbishop of Canterbury) in the 1100 s

THE TALES The poem is a story about stories Each person on the pilgrimage tells a story Insight into romances, comedies, etc of the time Crude humor, comedies, religious mysteries Social commentary Only 24 of the projected 120 were completed

THE PROLOGUE Narrator meets 29 others at the Tabard Inn, located in a suburb of London Challenge by Harry Bailey, Innkeeper – Each pilgrim must tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two on the return trip Best Tale » entitled to a feast The stories suit the teller – The Knight tells a romance, the wife tells about marriages, etc.