Geoffrey Chaucer1343? - 1400

“Father of English Poetry”

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

Why to Canterbury?

Canterbury Cathedral

At the Cathedral

At the Cathedral

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 Pilgrimmage

Over 50 miles!

The “Wager”

Number of pilgrims = ____

Innkeeper = _________ __________

Each pilgrim to tell ___ stories

How many total stories planned? ____

How many did Chaucer complete? ____

Prize = _________

The Canterbur

yTalesin

“Living”Color!

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