Chaucer’s background enables him to give us a rich and varied portraits of contemporaries from every walk of life Born around 1340
By adventure (chance) Most of these people on the journey would never have anything to do with each other socially. Differing social classes, orders, etc. The best way for Chaucer to bring together Makes comprehensive study of humans (his favorite subject) Perfect way to present his special brand of irony
Each pilgrim is supposed to tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two stories on the way back. Plan is proposed by Harry Bailey, the host of the Tabard Inn Teller of best tale is rewarded at the end with a dinner provided by his fellow pilgrims at the Tabard. Harry Bailey will be the judge
Prologue sets the scene and introduces reader to the characters Between many of the tales Chaucer provides links that expound upon the personalities of the pilgrims (adds more dramatic interest). Number of arguments that prepare for subsequent tales Some pilgrims introduce a tale with a commentary on his own personal life
Begins with a long, rhetorical sentence in “high style” describing spring. Gradually descends into a more “realistic” style of expository narrative. Very “easy to read” conversational
Group is on its way to the holy shrine of St. Thomas à Becket Archbishop of Canterbury who opposed Henry II over the balance between royal and religious power; was murdered in the cathedral Considered a martyr and later made a saint His blood was held to contain great curative qualities, restoring health to the sick Some are going to the shrine to have their sicknesses healed. (Small quantities of Becket’s blood was given to pilgrims for centuries after his death
The knight is the first of the pilgrims to be introduced. This is appropriate since the Kinght stands at the top of the social hierarchy in this gathering and since is is a virtuous character and embodies a standard of behavior against which some of the subsequent characters will be judged and found wanting.
The list of the places in which the knight fought would have a romantic ring to Chaucer’s readers. Christendom in the The list of the places in which the knight fought would have a romantic ring to Chaucer’s readers. Christendom in the 14 th century was relatively small, and circumscribed by heatheness – mysterious lands and pe op les described by the occasional traveler. Yet the Knight’s campaigns are all real enough. They have been divided by historians into three group0s, chronologially: 1) inlcudes the long struggle to expel the Moorish invaders from Spain. The second group of campaigns occurred in the Great Sea – eastern Mediterranean & Asia Minor Third: borders of eastern and western Europe (