The document provides background information on the Middle Ages in England and summarizes Geoffrey Chaucer's famous work The Canterbury Tales. It discusses Chaucer's life and career, the structure of The Canterbury Tales which features a group of pilgrims telling stories on a journey to Canterbury, and Chaucer's use of realistic characters that represent different classes of medieval English society and provide social commentary. Chaucer was considered one of the greatest English poets of his time and helped move literature beyond just courtly love themes with his insightful portraits of ordinary people in The Canterbury Tales.
2. Medieval Government Norman Rule ends 1154 Henry II Conflict with the Church Thomas Becket = archbishop Becket defies king, sides with the Pope Henry’s knights murder Becket Atone holy pilgrimage to Becket’s tomb
3. Medieval Government, cont. Richard I Military expeditions King John inherits debts John Tries to raise taxes on barons, resisted England on brink of civil war Avoiding trouble Magna Carta Promises not to tax land without meeting First restrictions on royal power
4. Medieval Literature Dramas, poetry, romances, ballads Medieval life, knights, love, outlaws Dramas: Church sponsored plays- Bible stories Morality plays ordinary people, moral lessons 1454- Printing press church scribes Chaucer = one of first works printed in England
5. Geoffrey Chaucer 1343?-1400 Considered the greatest English poet in his own lifetime Merchant class, father = vintner Servant to aristocratic household Career administrating just below aristocracy Able to observe all kinds of people Window overlooking pilgrim road
6. The Canterbury Tales Moves literature beyond themes of courtly love and knightly adventures Cross-section of medieval society Exchange of tales among pilgrims journeying to the shine of Thomas Becket Humor, realism
7. The Prologue Tabard Inn, in a suburb of London Narrator + 29 other pilgrims Inn host, Harry Bailey, sets a challenge Each pilgrim must tell 2 stories on the way to Canterbury and 2 on the way back. The person who tells the best tale will be treated to a feast. Pilgrims accept, Bailey joins to judge
8. Chaucer’s Characters Chaucer writes of rank and stereotypes BUT presents them as real people, individuals who defy categorizing i.e.: outward appearances suggest one thing, Chaucer reveals some other truth e.g.: Outside Merchant = wealthy Inside Merchant = secretly deep in debt Great insight into lives of medieval people
9. Social Commentary Writing that offers insight into society, its values, and its customs Chaucer notes virtues and faults of his characters Each character in The Canterbury Tales represents a different segment of society Supposed to be 120 tales, only 24 written
10. Characterization Direct: presents direct statements about a character E.g.: the Knight “followed chivalry / Truth, honor…” Indirect: uses actions, thoughts, and dialogue to reveal a character’s personality E.g.: “he was not gaily dressed” suggests that the Knight is not vain and takes the pilgrimage seriously enough to rush straight from battle “Show vs. Tell” = Indirect vs. Direct
