Canterbury TalesBy: Geoffrey Chaucer1340-1400

Background Chaucer’s claim to fame – Father of

English Literature

Three great writers; Chaucer, Shakespeare, John Milton

Background continued… Chaucer – first to write in Peasant language

3 Dominate Languages: Latin = Church French = King and Court English = Peasant

Chaucer wrote in English, a page (gofer) family rising middle class family – made a difference

Structure of Canterbury Tales Frame Story – a collection of short

stories

A pilgrimage to Canterbury

Chaucer’s Plan Selected 32 Random people Met at London, traveled 50 miles to

Canterbury. Trip of a lifetime, religious reason? 10 horses shared; 4-5 day trip

Purpose of trip ….. Storytelling to pass the time Each told 4 stories; 2 on the way there,

2 on the way back A contest, winner enjoys lunch at the

pub in Bath, once arrived