Lecture ThreeLecture Three

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)1400)

Teaching Objectives

 1. Know the contributions of Chaucer to English poetry;

2. Understand the story of The Canterbury Tales and know its characteristics.

3. Know the features of Popular Ballads.

The Middle Ages

Covers time span from the collapse of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance

Time period more than 800 years

1485 end of the Middle Ages

The Wars of the Roses (1453–1485)

The Wars of the Roses (1453–1487)

The Wars of the Roses (1453–1487) were a series of dynastic civil wars fought in England between supporters of the Houses of Lancaster and York. Although armed clashes had occurred previously between supporters of Lancastrian King Henry VI (red rose) and Richard, Duke of York, head of the rival House of York (white rose), the first open fighting broke out in 1455 and resumed more violently in 1459. Henry was captured and Richard became Protector of England( 摄政王 ), but was dissuaded from claiming the throne. Inspired by Henry‘s Queen, Margaret of Anjou, the Lancastrians resumed the conflict, and Richard was killed in battle at the end of 1460. His eldest son was proclaimed King Edward IV after winning a crushing victory at the Battle of Towton early in 1461. （贵族分为 2 个集团）

After minor Lancastrian revolts were suppressed in 1464 and Henry was captured once again, Edward fell out with his chief supporter and advisor, the Earl of Warwick (known as the "Kingmaker"), who tried first to supplant him with his jealous younger brother George, and then to restore Henry VI to the throne. This resulted in two years of rapid changes of fortune, before Edward IV once again won a complete victory in 1471. Warwick and the Lancastrian heir Edward, Prince of Wales died in battle and Henry was murdered immediately afterwards.

A period of comparative peace followed, but A period of comparative peace followed, but Edward died unexpectedly in 1483. His surviving Edward died unexpectedly in 1483. His surviving brother Richard of Gloucester first moved to brother Richard of Gloucester first moved to prevent the unpopular family of Edward's widow, prevent the unpopular family of Edward's widow, Elizabeth Woodville, from participating in Elizabeth Woodville, from participating in government during the minority of Edward's son, government during the minority of Edward's son, Edward V, and then seized the throne for himself, Edward V, and then seized the throne for himself, using the suspect legitimacy of Edward IV's using the suspect legitimacy of Edward IV's marriage as pretext. This provoked several revolts, marriage as pretext. This provoked several revolts, and Henry Tudor, a distant relative of the and Henry Tudor, a distant relative of the Lancastrian kings who had nevertheless inherited Lancastrian kings who had nevertheless inherited their claim, overcame and killed Richard in battle their claim, overcame and killed Richard in battle at Bosworth in 1485. at Bosworth in 1485.

Yorkist revolts flared up in 1487, resulting in the last pitched battles. Sporadic rebellions continued to take place until Perkin Warbeck, the last (and fraudulent) Yorkist pretender, was executed in 1499.

The wars were fought largely by the landed aristocracy and armies of feudal retainers, with some foreign mercenaries. Support for each house largely depended upon dynastic factors, such as marriages within the nobility, feudal titles, and tenures. It is sometimes difficult to follow the shifts of power and allegiance because nobles acquired or lost titles through marriage, confiscation or attainture. For example, the Lancastrian patriarch John of Gaunt's first title was Earl of Richmond, the same title which Henry VII later held, while the Yorkist patriarch Edmund of Langley's first title was Earl of Cambridge. However it was not uncommon for nobles to switch sides and several battles were decided by treachery.

玫瑰战争 ---- 英国封建贵族的葬礼

在这次战争中，兰开斯特家族和约克家族同归于尽，大批封建旧贵族在互相残杀中或阵亡或被处决。新兴贵族和资产阶级的力量在战争中迅速增长，并成了都铎王朝新建立的君主专制政体的支柱。从这个意义上说，玫瑰战争是英国专制政体确立之前封建无政府状态的最后一次战争。恩格斯说：“英国由于玫瑰战争消灭了上层贵族而统一起来了。”这对于英国历史发展来说，无疑是一件幸事。随着政治的统一，各地区的经济联系得到进一步加强，封建农业开始向资本主义农业转变，导致英国农村出现了许多资本主义农场，出现了一批与资本主义密切联系的新贵族，他们把积累起来的资本直接或间接地投入工业，使得英国工业、手工业迅速发展起来。

The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages began in around 476 and ended in 1453(from 5th to 15th century), it belonged to the Feudal times with a distinct division of 2 mainly social classes: Landlord and Peasants. Noblemen, knights, bishops, archbishops, abbots and the like, with the king at their head—the ruling class holding most of the land. To rule the people, there was a whole network of church government as well as secular government under the king. Those who dared to say or do something against the feudal order were often condemned as heretics and severely punished, usu. burnt alive. This period of time has been called the Middle Ages, the Medieval period or the Dark Age..

中世纪（约公元 476 年 ~ 公元 1453 年），是欧洲历史上的一个时代（主要是西欧），由西罗马帝国灭亡 ( 公元 476 年 ) 数百年后，在世界范围内 , 封建制度占统治地位的时期 , 直到文艺复兴时期 ( 公元 1453 年 ) 之后，资本主义抬头的时期为止。“中世纪”一词是从 15世纪后期的人文主义者开始使用的。这个时期的欧洲没有一个强有力的政权来统治。封建割据带来频繁的战争，造成科技和生产力发展停滞，人民生活在毫无希望的痛苦中，所以中世纪或者中世纪的早期在欧美普遍称作“黑暗时代”，传统上认为这是欧洲文明史上发展比较缓慢的时期。

Geoffrey Chaucer isGeoffrey Chaucer isthe father of English the father of English poetrypoetryAnd one of the greatest And one of the greatest Narrative poets of EnglandNarrative poets of England

The Canterbury TaleThe Canterbury Taless

Chaucer’s masterpieceChaucer’s masterpiece and one of the and one of the monumentalmonumental works in English works in English literatureliterature

Chaucer’s literary Chaucer’s literary careercareer • During his life he was first much in France, then in Italy, During his life he was first much in France, then in Italy,

finally settled down in England. Interestingly, his literarfinally settled down in England. Interestingly, his literary career can also be divided into y career can also be divided into 3 periods3 periods correspondi corresponding with those of his life: ng with those of his life:

• The 1st—consisting of works translated from the FrencThe 1st—consisting of works translated from the French, as The House of Fame.(h, as The House of Fame.( 声誉之宫声誉之宫 ) )

• The 2nd—consisting of works adapted from Italian, as The 2nd—consisting of works adapted from Italian, as Troilus and Cressie. Troilus and Cressie.

• The 3rd—including The 3rd—including The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales, which is pure, which is purely English, though the plot shows the influence of Boccly English, though the plot shows the influence of Boccaccio’s Decameron(having 100 stories in it).accio’s Decameron(having 100 stories in it).（十日（十日谈）谈）

The StoryThe Story • The whole poem is a collection of tales and stories mixed The whole poem is a collection of tales and stories mixed

together according to a simple plan. On a spring evening, together according to a simple plan. On a spring evening, the poet, moved by the passion for wondering, drops the poet, moved by the passion for wondering, drops himself at the south end of London Bridge. Here he meets himself at the south end of London Bridge. Here he meets 29 other pilgrims ready for a journey of 60 miles on 29 other pilgrims ready for a journey of 60 miles on horseback to Canterbury. Chaucer joins this journey. At the horseback to Canterbury. Chaucer joins this journey. At the suggestion of the host of the Inn, they agreed each should suggestion of the host of the Inn, they agreed each should tell 2 stories going and 2 returning. The best story-teller tell 2 stories going and 2 returning. The best story-teller shall be treated with a fine supper at the general expense shall be treated with a fine supper at the general expense at the end. The host is to be the judge of the contest. So at the end. The host is to be the judge of the contest. So there should be 124 stories totally, but actually only 24 there should be 124 stories totally, but actually only 24 were written. However, though incomplete, these tales were written. However, though incomplete, these tales cover practically all the major types of medieval literature: cover practically all the major types of medieval literature: courtly romance, folk tales, beast fable, stories of travel courtly romance, folk tales, beast fable, stories of travel and adventure, etc. and adventure, etc. All these tales but 2 are in verseAll these tales but 2 are in verse..    (See textbook page 43-45)(See textbook page 43-45)

The Prologue

provides a framework for the tales, comprises a group of vivid sketches of typical medieval figures. All classes except the royalty and the poorest peasants are presented by the pilgrims. Every figure is drawn with the accuracy of a portrait. No exaggeration to say the Prologue supplies a miniature(缩影 ) of the English society of Chaucer’s time

How did Chaucer succeed in linking the 24 stories together?

The poet succeeded in linking the 24 stories together in 2 ways: The presence of the host serves to connect the first to the last tales—he gives a unity to the whole work, inviting, criticizing, admiring, denouncing, but always keeping himself in evidence. Then there is also an intimate connection between the tales and the Prologue, both complementing each other.

Social significance of The Canterbury Tales Chaucer’s poetry is plainly narrative. Everything is based on reali

ty. But it is more than collection of true to life pictures.  A. Chaucer created striking brilliant panorama of his time and his

country, affirmed men and women’s right to pursue their happiness on earth and opposed the dogma of asceticism （禁欲主义） preached by church. As a forerunner of humanism he praised man’s energy, intellect, quick wit and loves of life, exposed and satirized the evils of the time.

B. In a transitional period, not entirely devoid of medieval prejudices; religious himself; nothing revolutionary in his writing. However, these weak points are not powerful enough to hide his achievements as a great poet and story-teller. （瑕不掩玉）

Discussion of the selection Discussion of the selection from from page 45-51 page 45-51

Chaucer’s LanguageChaucer’s Language A. His language, now called Middle English, is vivid & eA. His language, now called Middle English, is vivid & e

xactxact ，， his verse is smooth. His words are easy to underhis verse is smooth. His words are easy to understand.stand.

B. His contribution to English poetry lies chiefly in the fB. His contribution to English poetry lies chiefly in the fact that he introduced from France the rhymed stanzas act that he introduced from France the rhymed stanzas of various types, esp. the rhymed couplet of iambic penof various types, esp. the rhymed couplet of iambic pentameter (to be later called the “heroic couplet”) to Entameter (to be later called the “heroic couplet”) to English poetry, instead of the Old A-S alliterative verse. glish poetry, instead of the Old A-S alliterative verse.

C. The first great poet who wrote in the current Eng lanC. The first great poet who wrote in the current Eng language. His production of so much excellent poetry was guage. His production of so much excellent poetry was an important factor in establishing Eng as the literary lan important factor in establishing Eng as the literary language of the country. The spoken Eng of the time conanguage of the country. The spoken Eng of the time consisted of several dialects, and Chaucer did much in maksisted of several dialects, and Chaucer did much in making the dialect of London the foundation for modern Ening the dialect of London the foundation for modern Eng speech. For B & C, he was called (by the 17th century g speech. For B & C, he was called (by the 17th century English writer John Dryden) the “Father of English poEnglish writer John Dryden) the “Father of English poetry”. etry”.

Terms

Foot: unit of rhythm in a line of poetry containing one stressed syllable and one or more unstressed syllable as in the four division: for men may come and may go.Pentameter: line of verse with 5 metrical feet.Iambic: of a metrical foot of one unstressed and one stressed syllable (alone)

Popular Ballads

A ballad is a story told in song, usu. in 4-line stanzas, with the second and fourth lines rhymed. No one knows who wrote them. They were composed collectively by the people and constantly revised as they were handed down from mouth to mouth. Bishop Thomas Percy (1728-1811) was the first to take a literary interest in ballads.

Percy’s publication of the material in his Reliques of Ancient English Poetry (1765) inspired others, mainly Sir Walter Scott. The ballads have a variety of themes: the struggle of young lovers against their feudal families, the conflict between love and wealth, the cruel effect of jealousy, the border wars between England and Scotland, and matters of class struggle. Of special important is The Robin Hood Ballads. English balladry includes also a great number of humorous ballads. Get up and Bar the Door is a good example. (For other information, see textbook, page 51-53)

QuestionsQuestions

• 1. The story of The Canterbury Tales.1. The story of The Canterbury Tales.• 2. How did Chaucer succeed in linking the 2. How did Chaucer succeed in linking the

24 stories together?24 stories together?• 3. What is the social significance of The 3. What is the social significance of The

Canterbury Tales?Canterbury Tales?• 4. How did Chaucer describe the Knight 4. How did Chaucer describe the Knight

and the Nun in the “extract”?and the Nun in the “extract”?• 5. What contributions did Chaucer make to 5. What contributions did Chaucer make to

English literature?English literature?• 6. What is (English) popular ballads?6. What is (English) popular ballads?