Transcript Document
The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales Who was the author? What is the book about? What are some significant historical issues? What are important stylistic elements? Geoffrey Chaucer • Son of a merchant in a middle class household • He became the page in a royal house, then a soldier, and eventually a diplomat and royal clerk • Married a lady-in-waiting to the queen • Began writing in his 20s • He was considered the greatest English poet during his life Geoffrey Chaucer Son of vintner Held civil service positions Read English, Latin, Italian, and French writing was only a part-time occupation Died October 25, 1400; buried at Poets’ Corner at Westminster Abbey Geoffrey Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer What is the book about? • 30 characters set out on journey • Pilgrimage from London to Canterbury Cathedral midApril, 1387 • Engage in a storytelling contest • Heading to the shrine of Saint Thomas à Becket • Complete story not finished What is the book about? • An actual page from The Canterbury Tales • Many of the books from this time are Illuminated Manuscripts Map of the Pilgrims’ Route What is the book about? List of Characters CHARACTERS • • • • • • • • • • • • • Narrator (“Chaucer”) Host Knight Squire Yeoman Prioress Second Nun Three Priests Monk Friar Merchant Clerk Man of Law • • • • • • • • • • • • • Franklin Guildsmen Cook Shipman Physician Wife of Bath Parson Plowman Manciple Reeve Miller Summoner Pardoner Historic Elements • Thomas à Becket murder • Thomas became a saint • Twelve miracles Historic Elements • Represents people and occupations from the late Middle Ages in England • Prologue as guide • Changes from the medieval world to the ideology of the Renaissance The Aristocracy Historic Elements-The Aristocracy • The Knight – chivalrous and honorable • The Squire – a lady’s man • The Prioress – a delicate, elegant, sentimental nun • The Monk – a lover of hunting and fine clothing and jewelry • The Friar – a “wealthy beggar” who will do anything for money The Middle Class Historic Elements-The Middle Class • The Cook – a chef famous for his white sauce with an oozing sore on his leg • The Skipper – a world traveler who is more like a pirate • The Physician – a doctor who loved gold • The Wife of Bath – a woman who has had five husbands; she is well-dressed and loves to chat The Virtuous LowerLower ClassClass Historic Elements-Virtuous • The Parson – A poor but virtuous preacher; he is the model clergyman who is humble and devoted to his flock • The Plowman – His brother; a hard-working man The Degraded LowerLower ClassClass Historic Elements-Degraded • The Miller – a dealer in grain who cheated people • The Reeve – an old an irritable estate manager who grew rich at his job • The Summoner – an officer of the church who calls people to trial; he was a scary looking drunk who could be bought off • The Pardoner – a seller of religious articles who boasts of his cons Historic Elements • • • • • Some of these changes include: Social mobility Physical mobility Ideals of love The role of women The changes in attitude towards the church Historic Elements • Catholic Church suffering from corruption • John Wycliffe (1330-1384)… Separation of church and state – or at least of church and wealth Historic Elements • 100Years’ War: (1294-1444) Long conflict between England and France • Conflict intensified under Edward III, during Chaucer’s lifetime (Braveheart. Henry V. Joan of Arc.) • England struggles to be English. Chaucer sees first-hand the folly of this dispute. Stylistic Elements • Use of Narrative voice • a scribe (who describes himself as not too bright) writes them down • Scribe is actually Chaucer’s alter ego • Connection of tales (links) Stylistic Elements • Written in verse • iambic pentameter, much of it in heroic couplets. • Literary genres in this work: romance, beast fable, fabliaux, saint story, parable, and sermon. • Ironic tone Stylistic Elements • Characterization--intensely detailed lines, and each one is unique and realistic. (Direct and indirect) • The narrative voice of each character is subtly maintained • Represents psychological reality of character • Example of a frame story