The Canterbury Talesnotes

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400)

Leading Up To• Date Written: Mid

1380s to 1400• Author: Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340-

1400)• Language: These tales

are written in Middle English, the everyday language of England from 12th through the 15th centuries.

Knight

Type of Work A collection of stories “framed”

within the unity of a journey.

Pilgrim Tapestry

Thomas a` Becket’s deathTabard Inn Drawing

Canterbury Cathedral

Point Of View• Chaucer rarely takes a

specific position on themes or ideas. He is interested, of course, but doesn’t offer answers. The personality of each pilgrim is shown both through the tale told (its content) and the manner in which it is told

Geoffrey Chaucer

CategoriesThe tales are written in a

variety of literary subgenres, but the four

main types are • A) Fabliaux: Humorous,

usually satiric tales with stereotyped characters and intricate plots. Often contain physical and bawdy humor, verging on slapstick. Examples include tales by the Miller, Friar, Summoner and Merchant.

The Friar

Categories cont.• B) Exemplum: Tale that

exemplifies or teaches a lesson; for example, the Pardoner’s tale is a sermon against greed

• C) Legend: Traditional story about an ideal person; for example, the Second Nun’s tale is a saint’s legend about Saint Cecilia

• D) Romance: Another type of traditional story, usually filled with chivalric ideals and adventures

The Second Nun

Frame Story The general prologue, in which a narrator joins 29 other pilgrims at the Tabard Inn as

they gather to take a pilgrimage to Canterbury to visit the holy shrine of Thomas

a` Becket. This Narrator describes each of the travelers, including Harry Bailly, the host of the inn. Bailly proposes a contest: whoever tells the most entertaining tale, with the best

moral, will win a supper at the Tabard Inn. Everyone agrees, and the next morning the

group begins the journey.

Thomas a` Becket

The Tabard Inn

Main Ideas/Major Concepts

• Free Will (The freedom to make choices in life): Chaucer ponders whether or not humans have freedom in a world ruled by a God who knows the future, so many tales focus on the extent to which people are responsible for their actions.

Continued• Marriage: Tales by the

Wife of Bath, the Friar, the Summoner, the Clerk, the Merchant, the Squire, and the Franklin all have marriage as a major component.

• Love and S * x: a) love as sex (physical lust only): Merchant, Miller, and Shipman. b) Love that includes sex: Wife of Bath, Knight, Franklin. c) Courtly love, romantic love based on devotion and service to an idealized woman; Knight’s tale and Franklin’s tale.

The Merchant

Continued• Grace and Salvation:

Prioress’ tale• Virtue: Wife of Bath’s

tale, Knight’s tale, description of the Knight in the General Prologue.

• Appearance v. Reality: Although sometimes Chaucer presents characters who are what they seem, one of his main messages is that we shouldn’t judge people by their appearance.

Continued

• Faith and Knowledge: “Faith” refers to Christian beliefs; “knowledge” to matters of this world. Chaucer believes religious faith should make the world a better place, but often in his tales they are not related: Miller’s tale, Prioress’ tale, Nun’s Priest’s tale.

Continued• Deception: Someone is

always being tricked or deceived. Chaucer wants to show the scheming, conniving shenanigans and game playing of everyday life. Example: tales by Miller, Wife of Bath, Friar, Summoner, Merchant, Pardoner, Nun’s Priest.

Wife of Bath

A Few Key Pilgrims• Harry Bailly: Host of the Tabard Inn.

Good humored; large man; wise. On journey, assigns, comments on, and decides winner of tales.

• Knight: Distinguished in battle, chivalrous, devout, non-pretentious.

A Few More• Miller: Grinder of grain. Big, loud,

obnoxious. Has “thumb of gold.” Leads the way on pilgrimage.

• Monk: A churchman who has no time for “churchly” pursuits; he’s too busy hunting and enjoying the finer things of life. Enjoys a sybaritic lifestyle.Prologue

And A Few More• Friar: A most unholy of

holy men. He has a “special license from the Pope.”

• Parson: Poor, devout preacher. Chaucer’s favorite church person.

• Reeve: Overseer of an estate. Ill-tempered. Natural enemy of the miller. Last in the line of travelers.

Yes, There’s More• Summoner: One of

Chaucer’s least favorites. His job is to “summon” people to church court; takes bribes.

• Pardoner: Sells indulgences (pardons for sins); also sells “holy relics”; effective preacher.

The Summoner

Almost Done• Wife of Bath: Large,

worldly, experienced, pushy, gap-toothed woman. Makes living as a weaver when she’s not on a pilgrimage. Scouting for husband #6.

• Merchant: Represents the rising middle class of the day. Talks the talk of business but is in debt.

Last One, I Promise.

• Doctor: Has a really good idea of what ails you (and the medicine to fix it) ahead of time (wink, wink). He has a “special love of gold.”