12.1.2015
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Please send me a
file of your Ballad
Handout! ASAP
A couple of ballads
from the other
class…
Take out HW
(Pilgrim Chart)
Have out
notebook…Will be
taking some notes
here…
MIDDLE AGES BALLAD PRESENTATIONS
Order
1. “The Griesly Wife”
Damian and Mike
1. “The Griesly Wife”
Molly and Rebecca
2. “Two Corbies”
Ashley and Ang, Big
2. “Two Corbies”
Camryn + Mallorie
2. “Two Corbies”
Holly Freeman
3. “Get up and Bar the
Door”
Duemmer and Lall
4. “Edward, Edward”
Ginny and Alyssa T
5. “The Demon Lover”
Giguere and Cook
6. “Queen Elinor’s
Confession”
Danika and Alyssa G. and
Jessica
6. “Queen Elinor’s
Confession”
John and Morgan
7. “Sir Patrick Spens”
Sami + Frank + Kyle
7. “Sir Patrick Spens”
Liz + Amanda
GEOFFREY CHAUCER AND THE
CANTERBURY TALES
GEOFFREY CHAUCER (1342-1400)
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Born to a middle class family
His father was a wine merchant who believed his
child should have a formal education
He became the page in a royal house, then a soldier,
and eventually a diplomat and royal clerk
Fluent in English, Italian, Latin, and French
Worked as a government official under three different
kings = high social status
Was captured as a POW during the Hundred Years
War  King paid his ransom
Died of unknown causes – murder suspected
Chaucer was one of the first writers to be buried in
the Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey.
WRITING STYLE
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Often called the father of English poetry
Most scholars still wrote in Latin, poetry was
generally written in French
Felt English lacked sophistication and had a limited
vocabulary
 Only local stories and ballads were written in English
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Chaucer wrote in the vernacular or language of the
commoners (Middle English)
Allegory: A story in which the character, settings,
and events stand for abstract or moral concepts.
Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or
ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or
vices, particularly in the context of contemporary
politics and other topical issues.
Heroic Couplets – Iambic Pentameter
THE CANTERBURY TALES
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Although the work was never completed, The Canterbury Tales is
considered one of the greatest works in the English language
The narrator meets 29 pilgrims at an inn and travels with them to
the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. They decide to have
a contest: whoever can tell the best tale wins a dinner at the inn
when they get back, courtesy of the other travelers.
Begun: 1386
Planned: 120 tales (Each pilgrim was to tell 4 tales – 2 on the way to
Canterbury and 2 on the way back)
Completed: 22 tales and 2 fragments
Canterbury Tales can be considered “estates satire”
Three “Estates” in European feudal society
-Peasants
-Clergy
-Nobles
By Chaucer’s time we also see the rise of the Mercantile class in the
cities
PILGRIMAGES
Why make a pilgrimage?
 1. miracles performed at shrines of saints (to seek
physical healing)
 2. intercessory powers surround graves and relics (to
pray for someone else)
 3. penance – difficulty of trip atones for sins (to seek
spiritual healing)
 4. improve chances of salvation
 5. to travel/see the world
 6. gratitude for good fortune
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Pilgrims travelled in large groups for safety – the
roads were dangerous
ST. THOMAS A BECKET
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Saint Thomas a Becket was the archbishop of Canterbury
Martyred in 1170 :
King Henry II became angry that Becket had excommunicated
several bishops for supporting Henry’s position that the state should
try clergy accused of committing crimes
4 of the king’s knights murdered Becket on the altar of Canterbury
Cathedral
Beckett was canonized shortly after
The church believed that Beckett’s body and blood were sacred and
had the power to heal, thus, pilgrims began to visit Becket’s shrine in
hopes of receiving healing
But... this pilgrimage had become too secular, basically the Carnival
Cruise of the 14th century:
-improved roads and inns made it pleasurable
-drunkenness
-opportunity for clergy to prey on those with money enough to
travel
MIDDLE ENGLISH
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Let’s listen to the beginning of the Prologue in
Middle English:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOM
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THE PROLOGUE
Let’s take a look back
at the characters
introduced in the
prologue.
 Who were some of
your favorite
characters and
characterizations?
Why?
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CHARACTERIZING AND SATIRIZING TODAY
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With a 1-2 partners,
make a satirical
characterization of a
person or type of person
in today’s
society…(social class,
social group, occupation,
role…think of )
Focus on Direct and
Indirect
characterization…
You will present to
the class in 15
minutes!
HW
Read and annotate
the “Pardoner’s Tale”
and “the Wife of
Bath’s Tale” (129-147)
Due Friday, 12/3
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