the canterbury tales by geoffrey chaucer. geoffrey chaucer (c. 1343-1400) dominant literary figure...

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The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer by Geoffrey Chaucer

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The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucerby Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400)1400)

Dominant literary figure in the 14Dominant literary figure in the 14thth century century ““Father of English Literature”Father of English Literature” Life experiencesLife experiences

--child of wealthy wine merchant--child of wealthy wine merchant

--page in a royal household--page in a royal household

--spoke French, Latin, & Italian--spoke French, Latin, & Italian

--Soldier & diplomat--Soldier & diplomat

--member of Parliament--member of Parliament

Geoffrey Chaucer and Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales

Wrote the tales around 1385 A.D.Wrote the tales around 1385 A.D. planned many more tales, but did planned many more tales, but did

not complete the proposed 120 tales not complete the proposed 120 tales before his deathbefore his death

wrote about all classes in wrote about all classes in The The CanterburyCanterbury TalesTales to give us a to give us a glimpse of English society at the timeglimpse of English society at the time

Went against tradition when he Went against tradition when he wrote in Middle English rather wrote in Middle English rather than Frenchthan French

Considered “Father of the Considered “Father of the English Language” because he English Language” because he went against the norm and chose went against the norm and chose to write in the to write in the language of the language of the peoplepeople

Geoffrey Chaucer and Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales (cont.)The Canterbury Tales (cont.)

Chaucer ImagesChaucer Images

The Middle AgesThe Middle AgesBackgroundBackground

Hierarchy – Class Structure During Chaucer’s Time

Nobility/Ruling Class - Knight and Squire

Clergy - Monk, Friar, Prioress, Parson, Summoner, Pardoner

Middle Class – Merchant, Doctor, Student, Wife of Bath

Peasants – Miller, Plowman, Skipper

Code of ChivalryCode of ChivalryA knight must be:A knight must be:

1. True to his God 1. True to his God and a defender of and a defender of the faith.the faith.2. True and loyal to 2. True and loyal to his lord and king.his lord and king.3. True to his lady.3. True to his lady.4. Humble and 4. Humble and modest in daily modest in daily actions.actions.5. Brave and fierce 5. Brave and fierce in war and adversity.in war and adversity.

Code of the ClergyCode of the ClergyA member of the clergy A member of the clergy

must:must:

1. Be chaste and pure.1. Be chaste and pure.

2. Be devoted to God.2. Be devoted to God.

3. Obey God and Biblical 3. Obey God and Biblical law.law.

4. Take vows of poverty.4. Take vows of poverty.

5. Achieve heavenly 5. Achieve heavenly reward reward through earthly through earthly denial. denial.

Seven Deadly SinsSeven Deadly Sins

GluttonyGluttony Avarice / GreedAvarice / Greed SlothSloth LustLust VanityVanity PridePride AngerAnger

Moral Virtues (opposite of Moral Virtues (opposite of sins)sins)

ModerationModeration GenerosityGenerosity DiligenceDiligence LoveLove ModestyModesty HumilityHumility ForgivenessForgiveness

Chaucer’s Chaucer’s Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales

Takes representatives of English Takes representatives of English society on a pilgrimage to society on a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral (Shrine of Canterbury Cathedral (Shrine of Archbishop Thomas Becket)Archbishop Thomas Becket)

Pilgrims—each has speech and Pilgrims—each has speech and tale that matches a real person tale that matches a real person during his (Chaucer’s) timeduring his (Chaucer’s) time

Chaucer’s Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales Canterbury Tales (cont.)(cont.)

30 characters representing all social classes 30 characters representing all social classes --Although fictional, does have realistic --Although fictional, does have realistic

settings and occupationssettings and occupations*Tabard Inn*Tabard Inn*Canterbury & Canterbury Cathedral*Canterbury & Canterbury Cathedral*Shrine of Thomas Becket*Shrine of Thomas Becket

The PrologueThe Prologue

Thirty pilgrims are on their way to Thirty pilgrims are on their way to Canterbury to pay homage at Becket’s Canterbury to pay homage at Becket’s tomb.tomb.

Each agrees to tell two tales on the Each agrees to tell two tales on the way to the shrine and two tales back.way to the shrine and two tales back.

The winner will receive a supper paid The winner will receive a supper paid for by all.for by all.

List of 30 PilgrimsList of 30 Pilgrims Narrator – line 20Narrator – line 20 Knight – line 43Knight – line 43 Squire – line 81Squire – line 81 Yeoman – line 103Yeoman – line 103 Prioress (+ 3) – line 122Prioress (+ 3) – line 122 Monk – line 169Monk – line 169 Friar – line 212Friar – line 212 Merchant – line 280Merchant – line 280 Oxford Cleric – line 295Oxford Cleric – line 295 Serjeant at Law – line Serjeant at Law – line

319319 Franklin – line 341Franklin – line 341 Guildsmen – Guildsmen –

(Haberdasher, Dyer, (Haberdasher, Dyer, Carpenter, Weaver, Carpenter, Weaver, Carpet-Maker) - line 371Carpet-Maker) - line 371

Cook – line 390Cook – line 390Skipper – line 398Skipper – line 398Doctor – line 421Doctor – line 421Wife of Bath – line 455Wife of Bath – line 455Parson – line 488Parson – line 488Plowman – line 539Plowman – line 539Miller – line 561Miller – line 561Manciple – line 585Manciple – line 585Reeve – line 605Reeve – line 605Summoner - line 641Summoner - line 641Pardoner – line 689 Pardoner – line 689

Assignment:Assignment:Pilgrim PresentationsPilgrim Presentations

Read the description of your pilgrim Read the description of your pilgrim in the prologuein the prologue

Present a PowerPoint chart to the Present a PowerPoint chart to the class with your findingsclass with your findings

TWO SLIDESTWO SLIDES Any format, font, style you like…Any format, font, style you like… Must contain the following Must contain the following

information:information:

Slide OneSlide One

Title (pilgrim’s name)Title (pilgrim’s name) Picture of your pilgrim (according to Picture of your pilgrim (according to

description given)description given) Specific quotes and phrases that Specific quotes and phrases that

provide evidence of your pilgrim’sprovide evidence of your pilgrim’s– Physical characteristics, clothing, and Physical characteristics, clothing, and

accessoriesaccessories– Words, experiences, personality traitsWords, experiences, personality traits

Slide TwoSlide Two

Social class and why Social class and why Inferences (Chaucer’s commentary)Inferences (Chaucer’s commentary)

– Specific lines that lead to inferences Specific lines that lead to inferences about your pilgrimabout your pilgrim

– Does he/she uphold the proper values of Does he/she uphold the proper values of his or her social position? Any vices or his or her social position? Any vices or virtues?virtues?

– What is Chaucer criticizing?What is Chaucer criticizing?

THE MILLERTHE MILLER Chap of sixteen stone (561)Chap of sixteen stone (561) Big in brawn and bone (562)Big in brawn and bone (562) Broad, knotty and short-shouldered (565)Broad, knotty and short-shouldered (565) Broad, red beard (568-569)Broad, red beard (568-569) Wart with red, bristly hair growing on his nose Wart with red, bristly hair growing on his nose

(571-572)(571-572) Black nostrils and mighty mouth (573-575)Black nostrils and mighty mouth (573-575) Carried a sword and buckler (574) and bagpipes Carried a sword and buckler (574) and bagpipes

(583)(583) Wore blue hood with a white coat (582)Wore blue hood with a white coat (582)

Physical Characteristics, Clothing, and Accessories

Words, Experiences, and Personality Traits Likes to wrestle (564)

Boastful of his strength (565-567)

Likes to tell dirty jokes (576-577)

Thief and cheater (578-581)

Example

The MillerThe Miller Peasant ClassPeasant Class

– Supported by a tradeSupported by a trade InferencesInferences

– Chaucer compares him to a sow and fox Chaucer compares him to a sow and fox suggesting he is wild and rough (568, 571)suggesting he is wild and rough (568, 571)

– Chaucer compares mouth to a furnace door, Chaucer compares mouth to a furnace door, suggesting he is uncouth and foul-mouthed suggesting he is uncouth and foul-mouthed (575)(575)

– By stating he was a “master-hand” at stealing, By stating he was a “master-hand” at stealing, Chaucer infers the miller has cheated Chaucer infers the miller has cheated customers his whole life (578). Major vice!customers his whole life (578). Major vice!

– Through his depiction of the miller as bawdy Through his depiction of the miller as bawdy and belligerent, Chaucer is critiquing the and belligerent, Chaucer is critiquing the peasant’s low station in life peasant’s low station in life