The Canterbury Tales
by Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400)
■ Dominant literary
figure in the 14th
century
■ “Father of English
Literature”
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400)
■ Life experiences
--child of wealthy
wine merchant
--page in a royal
household
--spoke French, Latin,
& Italian
--Soldier & diplomat
--member of
Parliament
Question
What do you think Chaucer’s
personal life reveals about the
kind of person he was?
Geoffrey Chaucer and
The Canterbury Tales
■ Wrote the tales around 1385 A.D.
■ planned many more tales, but did not
complete the proposed 120 tales before
his death
■ wrote about all classes in The
Canterbury Tales to give us a glimpse
of English society at the time
■ Went against tradition when he
wrote in Middle English rather
than French
■ Considered “Father of the English
Language” because he went
against the norm and chose to
write in the language of the
people
Question
What is the importance of The
Canterbury Tales for the
development of English
literature?
Literary Characteristics
The Canterbury Tales
• Frame Story – a story within a
story
• The Outer Frame Story is about the
pilgrims meeting at the Tabard Inn
preparing for a journey to
Canterbury. (The Prologue)
• The Inner Frame Story would be all
the stories told by the assembled
pilgrims along their journey to and
from Canterbury. (The Tales)
Literary Characteristics
The Canterbury Tales
• Satire
• When an author ridicules and
exposes the faults of his or her
subject
• Used in order to provoke change
• Points out the need for change
in Medieval beliefs and
practices
Literary Characteristics
The Canterbury Tales
• Allusion
• A brief and indirect reference
to a person, place, or idea of
historical cultural, literary or
political significance.
• Biblical, Code of Chivalry, and
Philosophical references are
made throughout the story.
Question
What are some examples of
satire you’ve come across in
books, shows, or everyday
life?
The Middle Ages
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Feudal System
HierarchyDetermines class
structure King at top,
Peasant at bottom.
Nobility/Ruling ClassKnight and Squire
Clergy - Monk, Friar,
Prioress, Parson,
Summoner, Pardoner
Merchant Class –
Merchant, Doctor,
Student, Wife of Bath
Peasants – Miller,
Plowman, Skipper
Code of Chivalry
A knight must be:
1. True to his God and a
defender of the faith.
2. True and loyal to his
lord and king.
3. True to his lady.
4. Humble and modest in
daily actions.
5. Brave and fierce in
war and adversity.
Question
How might chivalry look
in today’s culture, and
where have you seen it?
Code of the Clergy
A member of the clergy
must:
1. Be chaste and pure.
2. Be devoted to God.
3. Obey God and Biblical
law.
4. Take vows of poverty.
5. Achieve heavenly
reward through earthly
denial.
Seven Deadly Sins
■ Gluttony
■ Greed
■ Sloth
■ Lust
■ Vanity
■ Pride
■ Anger
Moral Virtues (opposite of
sins)
■ Moderation
■ Generosity
■ Diligence
■ Love
■ Modesty
■ Humility
■ Forgiveness
Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales
■ Takes representatives of English
society on a pilgrimage to
Canterbury Cathedral (Shrine of
Archbishop Thomas Becket)
■ Pilgrims—each has speech and
tale that matches a real person
during his (Chaucer’s) time
■ 30 characters representing all social
classes
--Although fictional, does have
realistic settings and occupations
*Tabard Inn
*Canterbury & Canterbury
Cathedral
The Prologue
■ Thirty pilgrims are on
their way to
Canterbury to pay
homage at Becket’s
tomb.
■ Each agrees to tell
two tales on the way
to the shrine and two
tales back.
■ The winner will
receive a supper paid
for by all.
Characterization in Prologue
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direct characterization – stating direct
adjectives about a character’s personality
indirect characterization – revealing the
personality of a character through details of
appearance, thoughts, speech, and/or action
List of 30 Pilgrims
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Narrator
Knight
Squire
Yeoman
Prioress (3)
Monk
Friar
Merchant
Oxford Cleric
Serjeant at Law
Franklin
Guildsmen –
(Haberdasher, Dyer,
Carpenter, Weaver,
Carpet-Maker)
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Cook
Skipper
Doctor
Wife of Bath
Parson
Plowman
Miller
Manciple
Reeve
Summoner
Pardoner
Question
Based on the character list, can you
make any inferences about what their
tales might be about? Who might focus
on the 7 Deadly Sins and who might
focus on Moral Virtues?
Assignment: Pilgrim One Pager
■ Read the description of your pilgrim in
the prologue
■ Must contain the following information:
pilgrim’s name
– Drawing of your pilgrim (according to
description given)
– Specific quotes and phrases that provide
evidence of your pilgrim’s
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▪ Physical characteristics, clothing, and
accessories
▪ Words, experiences, personality traits
Social class and why
• Inferences (Chaucer’s commentary)
• Specific lines that lead to inferences about
your pilgrim
• Does he/she uphold the proper values of his
or her social position? Any vices or
virtues?
• What is Chaucer criticizing?
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