Geoffrey Chaucer&

The Canterbury Tales

CHAUCER’S LIFE:Born in London,1343Middle-class family; father was a

wine merchantChaucer read a great deal & received

some education and legal trainingBecame a page to an eminent familyBecame a government official serving

three kings: Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV

Chaucer was a prisoner during the 100 Years War—the king (Edward III) contributed to his ransom

Continued to serve the king & have his protection. Served as an ambassador, justice of the peace & in Parliament

Although writing playing a major role in Chaucer’s life, work came first

Father of English Poetry Chaucer is often referred to as the

‘father of English poetry’ With few exceptions, it was not

fashionable for serious poets to write in English – the language of literature was still Latin

Chaucer composed in the vernacular – everyday language spoken in London

Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey

Chaucer was the first of the great English writers to be gathered into what is known as Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey.

THE CANTERBURY TALES

The Italian influence: Chaucer traveled to Italy in 1372 & 1378 He was influenced by the poetry of Dante &

Petrarch, and the stories of Boccaccio Both Boccaccio’s Decameron & Chaucer’s

The Canterbury Tales use a framing device – a group who fled plague ravaged Florence & a group on a religious pilgrimage – it is within these frames that the characters tell their stories

An unfinished work The Canterbury Tales, begun in 1387, was never completed

Still, just the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales is sufficient to place Chaucer among the greatest of English authors

The Canterbury Tales provides a

portrait of late medieval English life, introducing the audience to a diverse group of travelers on a spring pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.

Rhyme & Rhythm The Canterbury Tales is written in

iambic pentameter, reflecting the natural rhythm of spoken language

Written in rhyming couplets that are not end-stopped; so-called “open couplets”

Is it Chaucer? There is speculation that the

poet/narrator is Chaucer himself The narrator introduces us to 29

other pilgrims (travelers), each of whom is to tell four stories and asks us

not to “condemn” him for giving an honest account.

SATIREA kind of writing that ridicules human weakness, vice or folly, or what the author sees as dangerous religious, political, moral or social standards.

CHARACTERIZATIONDirect Tells us directly what the characters are like

Describes how the characters look and dress

Indirect Presents the characters words & actions

Reveals characters private thoughts & feelings

Shows how others respond to the characters