An Introduction

Medieval EnglandGeoffrey ChaucerThe Canterbury

TalesThe General

PrologueResources

Created by S. Wilson - 2010

An IntroductionMedieval

England

•Medieval England was a dark time due to civil war within England and 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

An IntroductionGeoffrey

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

An IntroductionGeoffrey

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.

An IntroductionThe 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

An IntroductionThe Canterbury

Tales

•Example of Middle English vs. Modern English:

The General Prologue - in Middle English

An IntroductionThe 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)

An IntroductionThe 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.

An IntroductionThe 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

An IntroductionResources

Wikipedia: The Canterbury Taleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Tales

Sparknotes: The Canterbury Taleshttp://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/Canterbury Tales – Original Texthttp://www.canterburytales.org/canterbury_tales.html