THE CANTERBURY TALES By Geoffrey Chaucer THE CANTERBURY

THE CANTERBURY TALES By Geoffrey Chaucer

THE CANTERBURY TALES About Geoffrey Chaucer • Geoffrey Chaucer was born circa 1340, most likely at his parents’ house on Thames Street in London, England. • Chaucer’s family was of the bourgeois class, descended from an affluent family who made their money in the London wine trade • Geoffrey Chaucer is believed to have attended the St. Paul’s Cathedral School, where he probably first became acquainted with the influential writing of Virgil and Ovid. • In 1357, Chaucer became a public servant to Countess Elizabeth of Ulster, the Duke of Clarence’s wife, and remained a public servant in the court for the majority of his life.

THE CANTERBURY TALES About Geoffrey Chaucer • • In 1359, the teenage Chaucer went off to fight in the Hundred Years’ War in France, and at Rethel he was captured for ransom. Thanks to Chaucer’s royal connections, King Edward III helped pay his ransom. Later he also served as a diplomat to France and Italy. In 1366, Chaucer married Philippa Roet, the daughter of Sir Payne Roet, and the marriage conveniently helped further Chaucer’s career in the English court. • He is considered one of the first English writers to write his works in English vernacular, rather than French or Latin. • Geoffrey Chaucer died October 25, 1400 of in London, England of unknown causes; he was around 60 years old. • Chaucer was buried in Westminster Abbey. His gravestone became the center of what was to be called Poet’s Corner, a spot where such famous British writers as Robert Browning and Charles Dickens were later honored and interred.

THE CANTERBURY TALES Basic Information • The most famous and critically acclaimed work of Chaucer • It is believed Chaucer began to write The Canterbury Tales in 1386 or 1387 when he was sent into retirement by the Duke of Gloucester under King Richard II. He worked on the tales until his death in 1400. • The tales are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral • Each character was supposed to tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back. for a total of 120 tales. • Only twenty four tales were completed. Kind of.

THE CANTERBURY TALES Basic Information • Written in Middle English • Is thought to have popularized literature written in English vernacular rather than French or Latin • Is mostly written in verse, although there are small parts written in prose • Audience assumed to be nobility • 83 known manuscripts, non of which are original • 10 fragments, exact order unknown • Contains rhetorical theory and questions (opposing sides and views)

THE CANTERBURY TALES Influences • 100 Year War • The Black Death • Social order of the time • Western Schism or split in the Catholic Church, believed to be the start of the movement towards Protestant Reformation • Borrowed stories from around the world. • Dante & Virgil (pilgrim figures in the Divine Comedy) • The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio – has similar tales of people running from the Black Plague. Also has an apology by Boccaccio much like Chaucers Refraction

THE CANTERBURY TALES

THE CANTERBURY TALES The Prologue • Introduces the general plot of the pilgrimage and contest. • Introduces the host and each character • Looked at as a concise portrait of the entire nation of England - People from all different walks of life - Presented them as normal - Described each character’s strengths and flaws • Portrayed many religious figures as corrupt

THE CANTERBURY TALES The Knight’s Tale • Portrays three characters considered to be knights: - Thesius (Duke of Athens) - Palamon and Arcita Knights from Thebes – who are imprisoned by Thesius after war with Thebes over Lord’s cruelty • Both Palamon and Arcita fall in love with Thesius’s sister in law Emily during imprisonment • Questions courtly love and chivalry. • It’s interesting that the story took place in Athens but all gods are from Roman mythology • Deviates against Greek Mythology in that everything is decided by fate

THE CANTERBURY TALES The Knight’s Tale • Beyond this grove, but perish at my hand • And I denounce all covenants that stand • Or are alleged, as between you and me • Fool that you are, remember love is free • And I will love her! I defy your might. (46)

THE CANTERBURY TALES The Miller’s Prologue and Tale • Instantly shows clash between social classes in the prologue by cutting off the Monk’s Tale which was supposed to be next by order of social class • About a old carpenter (John) who marries a young woman of eighteen years (Alisoun) Alisoun also - The carpenter takes on a leaser (Nicholas) who seduces - Story is compounded by Church Clerk named Absalon who want’s Alisoun • The story first shows the irony in the differences between the social classes by word choice and character behavior. • The story follows theme of the old man marrying a young woman and the problems it causes, which has been around since ancient times • The tale plays with religion by throwing the forecast of a flood worse

THE CANTERBURY TALES The Reeve’s Prologue and Tale • The Reeve is a carpenter by trade and takes offense to the Miller’s Tale. In revenge he tells a tale about a dishonest miller. • The Miller steals flour from people and the university he is milling it for. - Two students (Alyan and John) are sent to make sure he is not skimming any more, who he tricks - They trick him back by bedding the Miller’s daughter and wife • Shows the opposition that happens throughout the tales between many characters • Also based on the ancient theme of tricking the trickster

THE CANTERBURY TALES The Cook’s Prologue and Tale • The prologue is still in order • The tale starts off about a young prentice cook named Perkin Reveler who likes sinful things as - He is dismissed from his job meets up with another young man corrupt as him • The story ends there 51 But since there's never thief without a buck 52 To help him waste his money and to suck 53 All he can steal or borrow by the way, 54 Anon he sent his bed and his array 55 To one he knew, a fellow of his sort, 56 Who loved the dice and revels and all sport, 57 And had a wife that kept, for countenance, 58 A shop, and whored to gain her sustenance.

THE CANTERBURY TALES The Friar’s Prologue and Tale • Shows opposing sides against the Summoner once more • Portrays a corrupt summoner bribes people for money to get out of appearing before the court - Makes pact with a demon and loses his sole • Uses the old idea of the crossroads and selling your sole to the devil • Uses the idea that God even uses demons to rid the world of “bad Christians” 181 To understand, though I told mine fully. 182 But since you ask me why thus labour we 183 Well, sometimes we are God's own instruments 184 And means to do His orders and intents, 185 When so He pleases, upon all His creatures, 186 In divers ways and shapes, and divers features. 187 Without Him we've no power, 'tis certain,

THE CANTERBURY TALES The Summoner’s Prologue and Tale • The Summoner first tells the story about Friar that once had a vision of Hell • The actual Summoner’s Tale is another story against the Friar - Promises prayers and salvation in exchange for monetary gain - Goes to the house of old Thomas, who is rich and very ill gold - The preaches to Thomas about sin and requests a donation of to the church which enrages Thomas. • The tale shows the two sides of the Friar, what he preaches and how he actually is • Exposes simony in the church— using the offices of the church for one's own personal gain.

THE CANTERBURY TALES Chaucer’s Retractions At the end of The Canterbury Tales stands Chaucer's curious retraction of most of his best work. He asserts that anything that displeases should be imputed to his want of ability and not to his will. He would have very gladly written better if he had the power. Chaucer then lists all the books that he revokes, which includes all his best works, and asks for everyone to pray for him "that Christ have mercy on me and forgive me for my sins. "

THE CANTERBURY TALES Connections • Connections with themes of the tales with other ancient themes or tales • Biblical connections • The biggest connection with me lies in the commentary about the classes in English society