Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer Born in London, 1343, son of a wine Born in London, 1343, son of a wine

merchantmerchant Grew up in “London Vintry,” where Grew up in “London Vintry,” where

ships docked with wines from France ships docked with wines from France and Spain and Spain

Grew up during the Hundred Years War Grew up during the Hundred Years War & Black Death Pandemic& Black Death Pandemic

Chaucer grew up around various people Chaucer grew up around various people from different walks of life.from different walks of life.

Learned new languages: French & LatinLearned new languages: French & Latin

Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer Chaucer becomes apprenticed to Chaucer becomes apprenticed to

nobilitynobility– Fine Schooling at the Count of UlsterFine Schooling at the Count of Ulster– Learned etiquette and mannersLearned etiquette and manners– Followed a strict Christian practice.Followed a strict Christian practice.

Worked on keeping books during the Worked on keeping books during the Hundred Years War for Edward III.Hundred Years War for Edward III.

Becomes ambassador and travels to Becomes ambassador and travels to Spain, France, Italy, etc. and learns Spain, France, Italy, etc. and learns more languages and skills.more languages and skills.

Medieval Riddle #2Medieval Riddle #2In former days my father and mother, Abandoned me In former days my father and mother, Abandoned me

dead, lacking breath Or life or being. dead, lacking breath Or life or being. Then one began, A kinswoman kind, to care for and Then one began, A kinswoman kind, to care for and

love me;love me;Covered me with her clothing, wrapped me in her Covered me with her clothing, wrapped me in her raiment, With the same affection she felt for her own;raiment, With the same affection she felt for her own;

Until by the law of my life's shaping, Under alien bosom Until by the law of my life's shaping, Under alien bosom I quickened with breath.I quickened with breath.

My foster mother fed me thereafter, Until I grew sturdy My foster mother fed me thereafter, Until I grew sturdy and strengthened for flight.and strengthened for flight.

Then of her dear ones, of daughters and sons, She had Then of her dear ones, of daughters and sons, She had the fewer for what she did. the fewer for what she did.

Answer to Medieval Answer to Medieval Riddle #2Riddle #2

A BirdA Bird

Pilgrimage to CanterburyPilgrimage to CanterburyThe pilgrimage from Southwark (Southern part of London) to

Canterbury took 10-14 days depending on weather conditions and number of travelers.

The Canterbury The Canterbury TalesTales Idea contrived originally in 1386Idea contrived originally in 1386

Story was to be a collection of 120 stories Story was to be a collection of 120 stories that were told by various pilgrims on a that were told by various pilgrims on a pilgrimage. (30 pilgrims: 2 stories on the pilgrimage. (30 pilgrims: 2 stories on the way there, 2 stories on the way back).way there, 2 stories on the way back).

Published version: 24 stories (2 in prose, Published version: 24 stories (2 in prose, 22 in verse)22 in verse)

Pilgrimage was for Thomas à BecketPilgrimage was for Thomas à Becket– Archbishop of Canterbury that was Archbishop of Canterbury that was

murdered at his cathedral in 1170 A.D. murdered at his cathedral in 1170 A.D. ““Odd assembly on purpose” Odd assembly on purpose”

The Canterbury The Canterbury TalesTales Tales were told by characters from different Tales were told by characters from different

classes and “walks of life”classes and “walks of life” Idea was to give the readers a perspective Idea was to give the readers a perspective

with respect to values and characteristics with respect to values and characteristics ascribed to particular social or economic ascribed to particular social or economic groups (middle class, religious officials, etc.)groups (middle class, religious officials, etc.)

Stories are competitive, follow various Stories are competitive, follow various formats, different tones, different narrators, formats, different tones, different narrators, etc. etc.

Stories reflect the values of the characters Stories reflect the values of the characters that orated them. that orated them.

Medieval Riddle #1Medieval Riddle #1 Oft I must strive with wind and wave, Oft I must strive with wind and wave,

Battle them both when under the seaBattle them both when under the seaI feel out the bottom, a foreign land. In I feel out the bottom, a foreign land. In lying still I am strong in the strife;lying still I am strong in the strife;If I fail in that they are stronger than I, And If I fail in that they are stronger than I, And wrenching me loose, soon put me to rout.wrenching me loose, soon put me to rout.They wish to capture what I must keep. I They wish to capture what I must keep. I can master them both if my grip holds out,can master them both if my grip holds out,If the rocks bring succor and lend support, If the rocks bring succor and lend support, Strength in the struggle. Ask me my name! Strength in the struggle. Ask me my name!

Answer to Medieval Answer to Medieval Riddle #1Riddle #1

An AnchorAn Anchor

““General Prologue”General Prologue” Introduction of the storyIntroduction of the story Introduction of the charactersIntroduction of the characters

– Special emphasis placed on Special emphasis placed on characterizationcharacterizationPhysical appearance, clothing, accessories, Physical appearance, clothing, accessories, behaviors, etc.behaviors, etc.

Understanding their place with regard to Understanding their place with regard to social status is indicative of what kind of social status is indicative of what kind of story they are likely to produce.story they are likely to produce.

Allows reader to establish moral Allows reader to establish moral judgments.judgments.

Seven Deadly SinsSeven Deadly Sins One of the underlying motifs in the tales One of the underlying motifs in the tales

is the use of the Cardinal Sinsis the use of the Cardinal Sins– WrathWrath– Pride Pride – Envy Envy – GreedGreed– GluttonyGluttony– Sloth Sloth – LustLust

• Through elaborate characterization, nearly all of Chaucer’s pilgrims were seemingly guilty of one or more of these sins. • Emphasis of sin was based on physical appearance, behavior, monetary situation, and/or allusion to sexual perversion.Are you a sinner?????

Medieval Riddle #3Medieval Riddle #3A lonely wanderer, wounded with iron, I am smitten A lonely wanderer, wounded with iron, I am smitten

with war-blades, sated with strife,with war-blades, sated with strife,Worn with the sword-edge; I have seen many Worn with the sword-edge; I have seen many battles, Much hazardous fighting, oft without hopebattles, Much hazardous fighting, oft without hopeOf comforts or help in the carnage of war Ere I Of comforts or help in the carnage of war Ere I perish and fall in the fighting of men.perish and fall in the fighting of men.The leavings of hammers, the handiwork of The leavings of hammers, the handiwork of smiths, Batter and bite me, hard-edged and sharp;smiths, Batter and bite me, hard-edged and sharp;The brunt of the battle I am doomed to endure. In The brunt of the battle I am doomed to endure. In all the folk-stead no leech could I findall the folk-stead no leech could I findWith wort or simple to heal my wounds; But day With wort or simple to heal my wounds; But day and night with the deadly blowsand night with the deadly blowsThe marks of the war-blades double and deepen. The marks of the war-blades double and deepen. What am I?What am I?

Answer to Medieval Answer to Medieval Riddle #3Riddle #3

A ShieldA Shield