Geoffrey Chaucer Notes

Chaucer is the author of the Chaucer is the author of the “Canterbury Tales”“Canterbury Tales”

Chaucer made speaking Chaucer made speaking English FashionableEnglish Fashionable

This was especially true in literature, This was especially true in literature, science, politics, and religion.science, politics, and religion.

He wrote in a NW English dialect and He wrote in a NW English dialect and then also wrote ballads.then also wrote ballads.

Chaucer’s StatureChaucer’s Stature

He served as a government official under He served as a government official under 3 different English kings.3 different English kings.

He also composed vernacular which was He also composed vernacular which was the daily language of London and the mid-the daily language of London and the mid-UK.UK.

He also became a page to a prominent He also became a page to a prominent ENG family and learned the proper social ENG family and learned the proper social manners.manners.

Chaucer’s Writing Chaucer’s Writing BackgroundBackground

He wrote his first important poem, He wrote his first important poem, “The Book of Duchess,” in 1369.“The Book of Duchess,” in 1369.

Also, “House of Fame;” “Parliament Also, “House of Fame;” “Parliament Fowls,” and “Troilus and Criseyde”Fowls,” and “Troilus and Criseyde”

1372-1378 – While in Italy, he was 1372-1378 – While in Italy, he was influenced by Boccacio, Dante, and influenced by Boccacio, Dante, and Petrarch.Petrarch.

““Canterbury Tales” FactsCanterbury Tales” Facts Chaucer uses optimism, faith, spirit in vivid, Chaucer uses optimism, faith, spirit in vivid,

wild character descriptions.wild character descriptions.

He uses iambic pentameter to tell the story – He uses iambic pentameter to tell the story – an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable (10 to a line).(10 to a line).

Shows a pilgrimage where pilgrims visit the Shows a pilgrimage where pilgrims visit the tombs of saints and other religious figures for tombs of saints and other religious figures for enlightenment - takes place once a year. enlightenment - takes place once a year.

In early 15In early 15thth C, an estimated 100,000 people C, an estimated 100,000 people made pilgrimages to Canterbury.made pilgrimages to Canterbury.

Thomas BecketThomas Becket A 12h Century martyr who was archbishop and A 12h Century martyr who was archbishop and

excommunicated bishops who supported King excommunicated bishops who supported King Henry bc/ he stated if a bishop was accused of Henry bc/ he stated if a bishop was accused of a crime, then he should be tried.a crime, then he should be tried.

4 of the king’s knights murdered Becket in his 4 of the king’s knights murdered Becket in his cathedral and he was immediately canonized cathedral and he was immediately canonized as a saint.as a saint.

People then travel to Becket’s shrine to be People then travel to Becket’s shrine to be healed bc/ The Church said his body and healed bc/ The Church said his body and blood were sacred. People also went there to blood were sacred. People also went there to give thanks.give thanks.

““Everyman”Everyman”

A drama written in the late 15A drama written in the late 15thth C which C which is a morality play about abstract ideas is a morality play about abstract ideas such as knowledge and wealth. such as knowledge and wealth.

It states that Everyman is good but can It states that Everyman is good but can be drawn into risqué behaviors by his be drawn into risqué behaviors by his senses.senses.

Focuses on Everyman’s behavior when Focuses on Everyman’s behavior when he confronts death.he confronts death.

Key “Canterbury Tales” – Prologue information

Conventions:Conventions:

Chaucer used the Chaucer used the framing deviceframing device where where characters tell tales based on old plots.characters tell tales based on old plots.

Borrowed from “The Decameron” where Borrowed from “The Decameron” where people flee Italy to get away from the plague.people flee Italy to get away from the plague.

His frame in the “Tales” is where characters His frame in the “Tales” is where characters go on a religious pilgrimage and tell two go on a religious pilgrimage and tell two stories going and two stories returning.stories going and two stories returning.

““Canterbury Tales” Canterbury Tales” OverviewOverview

29 Pilgrims and the narrator go 29 Pilgrims and the narrator go to Becket’s shrine. to Becket’s shrine. Setting Setting – April – April and they leave from the Tabard and they leave from the Tabard Inn. Inn.

Chaucer describes the pilgrims as Chaucer describes the pilgrims as he shows their personalities he shows their personalities through direct and indirect through direct and indirect characterizations.characterizations.

Divisions for Pilgrims:Divisions for Pilgrims:

Feudal –Feudal – Knights and squires Knights and squires Religious –Religious – Monk, Friar, Nun Monk, Friar, Nun Merchants or professional class –Merchants or professional class – Miller Miller

and and DoctorDoctor Chaucer describes the host’s proposal Chaucer describes the host’s proposal

that each pilgrim tell 2 tales going to that each pilgrim tell 2 tales going to Becket’s tomb and two on the way back.Becket’s tomb and two on the way back.

The omission of the last 22 lines of “The The omission of the last 22 lines of “The Prologue” leads into “The Knight’s Prologue” leads into “The Knight’s Tale”.Tale”.

CharacterizationsCharacterizations Direct – Telling us directly what the character is Direct – Telling us directly what the character is

like…For example, ambitious, aggravated, easily like…For example, ambitious, aggravated, easily manipulated.manipulated.

Indirect – Where we have to judge a character or Indirect – Where we have to judge a character or put clues together to figure out what he or she is put clues together to figure out what he or she is like.like.

1) Description of looks and dress1) Description of looks and dress 2) How the character speaks2) How the character speaks 3) Reveal the character’s inner thoughts and 3) Reveal the character’s inner thoughts and

feelingsfeelings 4) Showing how other characters behave and feel 4) Showing how other characters behave and feel

toward this charactertoward this character 5) Show the character’s actions5) Show the character’s actions