Monday, November 21 QW #4 – social class Canterbury Tales Notes Satire with The Simpsons
HW = read pgs. 90-95 in packet & finish notes for Mon.; vocab packet 2 & quiz Tues.
Today’s Goals Discuss characterization/social
class Learn helpful historical background
information for The Canterbury Tales
Review the literary devices Chaucer uses (satire, frame story)
QW #4 – Social Class How is RHS divided into social
groups? How can you tell who is in which groups? Do people pick their groups or are they assigned in some way? Can you move from one group to another with ease or is it difficult? How do the members of each group relate to members of other groups?
Introduction to The Canterbury Tales
Characterization Classicism Medieval social
structure Changing times Social satire
Characterization The process by which a writer
reveals the personality of a character
Can be direct or indirect Narrator can tell us Describe how looks/dresses Character’s words/actions Reveal character’s thoughts/feelings Showing how others respond to, think
about, or speak about the character
Classicism Clergy Nobility
Ruling class Aristocracy Fighting class
Peasants Middle class (not recognized) Trade class (not recognized) Peasantry class
Women (sorry, ladies)
Rigid structure Attempts to move from one group
to another was considered against the laws of nature and of God.
The Three Estates Men were classed
according to what they did Those who pray Those who fight Those who work
Men and Women Women were
classed according to their relationship to men Virgin Wife Widow
Changing Times Renaissance approaching Science progressing Greek literature rediscovered
Democracy Capitalism encouraged social
change Chaucer wrote “Tales” as satire
Satire Noun. A literary
manner which blends humor with criticism for the purpose of instruction; often serves as an exaggerated reflection of society
The necessary ingredients Humor Criticism: either general criticism of
humanity or human nature or specific criticism of an individual or group.
Some kind of moral voice: simply mocking or criticism is not “satire.”
The Satiric Manner Ironic Either good natured criticism or bitterly
cynical denunciation. More than a little bit prone to references
to things society finds taboo or disgusting (bodily functions, sexuality, etc.)
Types of Satire Parody
a work of literature that mimics another work of literature.
Caricature An exaggerated portrayal of the weaknesses,
frailties, or humorous aspects of an individual or group.
Exaggeration The portrayal of something trivial or unimportant as
very important, usually to emphasize its triviality. Diminutization
The portrayal of something generally perceived as very important as trivial or unimportant.
The Canterbury Tales Written as “estates satire” Shows each of the three
estates and portrays the ideal members of each, as well as the problems with the social structure
Publicly exposed corruption
Written in Middle English
Geoffrey Chaucer Father of English poetry Before Chaucer, serious poets would not
write in English – felt that English could not convey the nuances & complexities of serious literature
Well-known gov’t official under Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV
Why else is Chaucer important?
CT, similar to Italy’s Decameron, uses a frame device
Strength of spirit & personality – “In a dark, troubled age, he was a comfortable optimist, serene, full of faith.” (John Gardner)
As we read… Keep in mind that it has been said
that Chaucer defends one true virtue…charity – the good man’s willingness to give the benefit of the doubt, to find some nobility in even the most wretched & deplorable of people . Do you believe this is true?
Pilgrimage Religious journey made to a shrine
or a holy place Pilgrims = many stations & many
stages in life CT begins pilgrimage in spring =
why symbolic?
Murder of Beckett Friend of King Henry Named Archbishop
as means to control the Church
Murdered by King’s men when he defied King’s authority
Pilgrimage to Canterbury Beckett was very
popular Quickly made a
saint Homage at his
tomb
“Frame” Tale Over twenty characters traveling
together to Canterbury Inn’s Host challenges them to each tell
a story on the way to Canterbury The best story wins a free dinner Premise provides a “frame” within
which to hear the stories.
“Frame” Story Includes # of different narratives Outer story (pilgrimage) unites
traveler’s individual tales (inner stories)
Tales themselves have thematic unity