By: Kamren Fletcher
and Erin Laird
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1343-1400
He had four children named
Elizabeth, Ageth, Thomas, and
Lewis.
His wife’s name was Philippa.
Had a passion for reading;
Classical and modern
Well educated
Wrote the Canterbury Tales as
well as Balade, Merciles Beaute,
and The Love unfeigned.
 EML
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Remembered as the author of The
Canterbury Tales, he puts some of
himself into his writings. He didn’t
start working on The Canterbury
Tales till his early 40’s.
He was an author, poet,
philosopher, courtier, and
diplomat. He is sometimes credited
with being the first to demonstrate
the artistic legitimacy of the English
language.
After the overthrow of his patron
Richard II, Chaucer vanishes from
historical records.
Though it is speculated that he died
on October 25, 1400. In 1556, his
remains were moved to a more
ornate tomb in the area known as
Poets’ Corner.
KRF
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Chaucer intended that every pilgrim should
tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and
two tales on the way back.
The narrator speaks in the first person,
describing each of the pilgrims as they
appeared to him.
Even though it was told by different pilgrims,
each of the tales is told from an omniscient
third-person point of view
 EML
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The general prologue of the
Canterbury Tales, narrates
about a group of pilgrims who
plan on going to Canterbury
the next day. They are to tell
stories and the person with the
best story wins a dinner paid
by the other pilgrims.
KRF
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Its about a group of
people who travel as
pilgrims to the shrine of
the martyr Saint
Thomas Becket in
Canterbury
-The host tells the
pilgrims to tell a tale
while traveling to
Canterbury.
- EML
- The pilgrim who tells the best
story will receive a meal at
Bailey’s tavern.
- Twenty-seven of these
pilgrims, include a
Knight, Squire, Yeoman,
Prioress, Monk, Friar,
Merchant, Clerk, Man of
Law, and others.
Example1:
- The Prologue of the Wife of Bath's Tale
The wife of Bath speaking
"Experience--and no matter what they say
In books--is good enough authority
For me to speak of trouble in marriage.
For ever since I was twelve years of age,
Thanks be to God, I've had no less than five
Husbands at church door--if one may believe
I could be wed so often legally!" (P.220)
- The Canterbury Tales is about
pilgrims from all levels of society
telling tales on their way to
Canterbury, to kill time. They are to
tell two stories on the way there,
and two stories on the way back.
Example2:
- The Prologue of the Pardoner's Tale
The Pardoner explains his philosophy on how
he pardons
"I only preach of avarice and the like,
And in this way induce them to be free
In giving cash--especially to me.
Because my only interest is in gain;
I've none whatever in rebuking sin.
No, none! When they are pushing up the
daises,
Their souls, for all I care, can go to blazes." (P.
396)
It has been mentioned that The Canterbury Tales was never finished.
KRF
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