Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer
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Born between 1340 and 1344
Father was a wine merchant
1359- Joined army of Edward III
Captured by the French and held for
ransom
Married a lady-in-waiting in the Queen’s
household
Geoffrey Chaucer
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Employed on diplomatic missions to
European mainland
1372- Sent to Italy- becomes acquainted
with Boccaccio’s Decameron which is the
basis for The Canterbury Tales
Died October 25, 1400- buried in Poet’s
Corner of Westminster Abbey
Background to selection
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Thomas a Becket was born Dec. 21, 1118
He was a strict and spiritual man devoted to the interests of
the church
1163 Became Archbishop of Canterbury
In conflict with King Henry II, because of his devotion to
religion
Four knights wanting to win favor with Henry, crossed the
channel and murdered Becket in the cathedral
His last words were “I accept death for Jesus and for the
Church”
A shrine was built in honor of him- it is said to possess
healing powers
Canterbury Tales
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Begins in April in Southwark, England at a
pub called The Tabard Inn
Pilgrims are traveling to the shrine of
Thomas a Becket
There are three classes of pilgrims- Feudal
(knight, squire etc.) Ecclesiastical (church)
and Urban (professional mercantile
laymen)
Canterbury Tales
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It is decided that in order to make the trip
more entertaining, there should be a
storytelling contest
Each pilgrim should tell 4 tales- 2 on the
way to Canterbury and 2 on the way back
The winner would receive a free dinner
Canterbury Tales
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Constructed as a frame story- the outer
frame (the prologue) introduces the pilgrims
The inside is constructed of the tales the
pilgrims tell
Chaucer planned 120 tales (30 pilgrims).
He only completed 22 and 2 fragments
before his death
Canterbury Tales
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Exposes the best and worst of human nature in
both an historical and personal context
Presents a portrait of 14th century people and life
The tales present a moral lesson to be learned,
because in Chaucer’s time literature that was
morally instructive was more highly regarded
Tales are written in poetry, not prose
Canterbury Tales
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Some pilgrims are heading to the shrine for
religious reasons
Other pilgrims are traveling there hoping to
be healed- The Wife of Bath is deaf, The
Cook has a sore on his knee, The
Summoner has boils on his face etc.
Things to keep in mind…
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Physical description of pilgrims as related
to moral character
Depiction of pilgrims associated with the
church
The seven deadly sins as applied to
pilgrims (Pride, Greed, Envy, Anger, Lust,
Gluttony, Sloth)