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History Highlights
Setting = Medieval England Feudal society Time of Crusades & the Plague Entertainment for Royals … Tournaments, Theater, Poetry &
Music “Entertainment” for commoners Fairs Tournaments Public executions
Who is Chaucer? Father = middle class wine merchant Many occupations…
page in royal house, soldier, diplomat, royal clerk
Held civil service positions for three kings (Edward III, Richard II,
Henry IV)
Married lady-in-waiting to the queen
Chaucer the Writer
Began writing in his 20s Travelled throughout Europe Fluent in English, Latin, Italian, &
French Writing only part-time occupation Becomes most famous writer
of the time!
Chaucer’s Language Language of literature, science, law,
& church = Latin & French English considered primitive First poet to compose in vernacular
(language of the people) Wrote in Middle English using
heroic couplet, a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables (iambic pentameter)
Chaucer’s Techniques Characterization
Direct & Indirect Allegory…
Characters, settings, event stand for moral truths Literal & symbolic meaning (didactic)
Satire – witty language to convey insults
Irony – Surprisingly little alliteration…
Chaucer’s Imitatio?
Contemporary of Italian greats… Dante – The Divine Comedy Petrarch – sonnets Boccaccio -- Decameron
Framing device/Framework story A tale within a tale
Canterbury Tales plan …
Chaucer the Pilgrim Narrator in his own story Double Irony –
Masked in a masquerade Social commentator
Study of three classes Feudal Church Middle Class
His own house overlooked pilgrim road to Canterbury
The Canterbury Tales Written in his later years (1386?) Never completed – magnum opus Planned 120 tales - only completed 22 Best historical picture of 14th century life
in England Inspired by own pilgrimage to Canterbury? Combines popular genres of romances
(tales of chivalry), sermons, fables, & bawdy stories
Murder in the Cathedral Feud between Thomas Becket -
Archbishop of Canterbury and Henry II Becket refuses to agree to laws that
would give Henry power over the church Henry -- “Who will rid me of this …
priest?" Four knights go to Canterbury to
impress the king; they beat Becket until his skull is split
Numerous miracles occur where Becket was slain - he is canonized by the church
Pilgrims flock to Canterbury Cathedral as a shrine
The “Wager”
Number of pilgrims = ____
Innkeeper = _________ __________
Each pilgrim to tell ___ stories
How many total stories planned? ____
How many did Chaucer complete? ____
Prize = _________
The Characters
Number of pilgrims = ____
Innkeeper = _________ __________
Each pilgrim to tell ___ stories
How many total stories planned? ____
How many did Chaucer complete? ____
Prize = _________
Character Listing Narrator 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
A woodcut from William Caxton's 2nd edition of The Canterbury Tales printed in 1483.
Social Commentary List the three societal types mentioned
_________________ _________________ _________________
Which group does Chaucer empathize with?
Which group does he clearly condemn?
What do you think he will say about feudalism?
Chaucer’s End Died of unknown causes
MURDER suspected… Among first writers buried in Poet’s
Corner of Westminster Abbey
Essential Terms Direct Characterization – factual statements
about a character, such as saying the Knight “followed chivalry,/ Truth, honor…”
Indirect Characterization – Thoughts, actions, or dialogue used to reveal a character’s personality. Example: “he was not gaily dressed” implies the Knight is not vain
Social Commentary – writing that offers insight into society, its values, & its customs
Satire – Writing that ridicules or holds up to contempt the faults of individuals/groups with intent to improve the situation.
Frame Story – A story that is framed by another story