Geoffrey Geoffrey ChaucerChaucer

1343-14001343-1400

Who Was He?Who Was He? Born in 1343 to a middle class family. His Born in 1343 to a middle class family. His

father was a wine merchant. father was a wine merchant. Received some education and legal Received some education and legal

training.training. Served under three kings as a government Served under three kings as a government

official: Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV.official: Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV. Was an ambassador to France and Italy Was an ambassador to France and Italy

where he was introduced to and influenced where he was introduced to and influenced by the literature of Europe, especially the by the literature of Europe, especially the poems of Dante and Petrarch, and poems of Dante and Petrarch, and Boccaccio’s Boccaccio’s Decameron.Decameron.

The first poet to be buried in Poets’ Corner The first poet to be buried in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey.in Westminster Abbey.

The Father of English Poetry

Literary Literary AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Chaucer was the first to successfully write in the Chaucer was the first to successfully write in the vernacular, the everyday English that was spoken in vernacular, the everyday English that was spoken in London, and not in French or Latin. He wanted literature London, and not in French or Latin. He wanted literature to be accessible to all.to be accessible to all.

1369: wrote 1369: wrote The Book of the DuchessThe Book of the Duchess in memory of his in memory of his patron’s wife (Blanche) who was married to John of patron’s wife (Blanche) who was married to John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster and son of the king.Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster and son of the king.

1386: published several allegorical poems while serving 1386: published several allegorical poems while serving as a government official.as a government official.

1387: Began writing 1387: Began writing The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales which is which is modeled after Boccaccio’s modeled after Boccaccio’s Decameron.Decameron.

His work illustrates the economic, political, and social His work illustrates the economic, political, and social conditions of his day.conditions of his day.

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements Chaucer broke away from the Anglo-Saxon alliterative device.Chaucer broke away from the Anglo-Saxon alliterative device. Introduced the iambic pentameter: ten syllables, with an Introduced the iambic pentameter: ten syllables, with an

unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.

da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUMda-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM (weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak (weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak

STRONG) STRONG) Shall Shall II com - com - PAREPARE thee thee TOTO a a SUMSUM mer's mer's DAYDAY

Rhyme scheme: the couplet. Two consecutive lines of poetry that Rhyme scheme: the couplet. Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme, eg,rhyme, eg,

““When good King Arthur ruled in ancient daysWhen good King Arthur ruled in ancient daysA king that every Briton loves to praise.”A king that every Briton loves to praise.”

Satirizes the clergy and the social hierarchy to expose hypocrisy Satirizes the clergy and the social hierarchy to expose hypocrisy and human frailty.and human frailty.

Uses descriptive and vivid imagery to characterize his subjects.Uses descriptive and vivid imagery to characterize his subjects.

Characterization

Character Development

• Chaucer develops his characters by their:– Action– Dialogue– Appearance

• Physiognomy: a science that judged a person’s temperament and character based on his or her looks.

• Clothing: the description of garments helps to define each character.

What is a Pilgrim?A pilgrim is a person who

undertakes a journey (pilgrimage) to a holy site for religious purposes; eg, Rome or the Holy Land.

In Medieval times, pilgrimages were extremely important as a route to salvation. Pilgrims had the protection of the church and the church’s soldiers because traveling was dangerous.

Who was Thomas Becket?Thomas Becket, the archbishop of

Canterbury, was murdered by four knights of the royal household.

The murder came after a prolonged quarrel between Thomas and King Henry II.

The popularity of Canterbury as a place of pilgrimage (immortalized in Canterbury Tales) continued until the shrine was destroyed under Henry VIII in 1538.

Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral

Thomas a Becket Shrine

Knighthood A separate social class in

European society. The crusades gave the

knights a great deal of prestige as they became chivalrous Christian warriors.

By 13th century, the code of chivalry emerged, demanding courage, military prowess, virtue, and service to God.

A knight had to be wealthy in order to maintain his position and status.

What is Canterbury Tales? A collection of stories in a

frame story (story within a story) similar to Decameron.

Chaucer planned for 120 stories, but completed only 22.

Each pilgrim comes from a different trade, social class, representing different aspect of society.

Pilgrims give different views of the world, different vocabularies, different images for truth.

The Manuscript Written in Middle

English between 1387 and 1400.

17,000 lines of poetry. Handwritten because the

printing press had not yet been invented.

Illustrated with graphics and calligraphy.

The The Canterbury Canterbury

TalesTales

The PlotThe Plot A group of pilgrims stay at the Tabard Inn on their way to the A group of pilgrims stay at the Tabard Inn on their way to the

Shrine of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury. Shrine of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury. Chaucer describes the pilgrims in this company (29), each of Chaucer describes the pilgrims in this company (29), each of

whom practices a different trade (often dishonestly). whom practices a different trade (often dishonestly). The host of the Tabard, Harry Bailey, proposes that he join The host of the Tabard, Harry Bailey, proposes that he join

them as a guide and that each of the pilgrims should tell tales them as a guide and that each of the pilgrims should tell tales (two on the outward journey, two on the way back); whoever (two on the outward journey, two on the way back); whoever tells the best tale will win a supper, at the other pilgrims' cost tells the best tale will win a supper, at the other pilgrims' cost when they return. when they return.

The pilgrims agree and the next morning the company sets out, The pilgrims agree and the next morning the company sets out, pausing at the Watering of St. Thomas, where all draw straws, pausing at the Watering of St. Thomas, where all draw straws, and the Knight is thus selected to tell the first tale.and the Knight is thus selected to tell the first tale.

Chaucer warns his readers that he must repeat each tale exactly Chaucer warns his readers that he must repeat each tale exactly as he heard it, even though it might contain frank language. as he heard it, even though it might contain frank language.

The General PrologueThe General Prologue Begins with a description of Springtime: Opens in April, at the Begins with a description of Springtime: Opens in April, at the

height of Spring when there is rebirth and fresh beginnings. height of Spring when there is rebirth and fresh beginnings. The prologue serves to introduce the reader to the setting and The prologue serves to introduce the reader to the setting and

the characters. Chaucer gives a good physical description of the characters. Chaucer gives a good physical description of each character.each character.

He satirizes (uses wit to criticize) society and class structure, He satirizes (uses wit to criticize) society and class structure, describing each profession to show how it fails the ideal.describing each profession to show how it fails the ideal.

Illustrates the three-fold division of medieval life and ideal Illustrates the three-fold division of medieval life and ideal figures: figures: Those who fight (knights)Those who fight (knights) Those who pray (clergy)Those who pray (clergy) Those who labor (plowman)Those who labor (plowman)

ThemesThemes

Courtly LoveCourtly LoveFlirtatious in nature, courtly love Flirtatious in nature, courtly love

is the ideal love where the is the ideal love where the woman is adored by a love-woman is adored by a love-stricken knight who becomes stricken knight who becomes her faithful subject and aims her faithful subject and aims to please her in everything.to please her in everything.

Unrealized love because it is Unrealized love because it is adulterous and secretive, adulterous and secretive, between a knight and a between a knight and a woman married to an woman married to an aristocrat.aristocrat.

Poetry, songs, and literature Poetry, songs, and literature expressed the ideals of courtly expressed the ideals of courtly love: loyalty and submission to love: loyalty and submission to one’s beloved, and willingness one’s beloved, and willingness to risk one’s life for the sake of to risk one’s life for the sake of the beloved.the beloved.

Social Hierarchy

Ruling Class: knight, squire Clergy: monk, friar, prioress, parson

summoner, pardoner Middle Class: Franklin, Reeve, doctor,

oxford student, wife of Bath,serjeant at law

Trade Class: guildsmen, cook, miller, host,manciple, merchant.

Peasants: skipper, plowman, yeoman

The Corruption of the ChurchThe Corruption of the Church The Catholic Church was the only The Catholic Church was the only

dominant church in England, Ireland and dominant church in England, Ireland and Europe.Europe.

The church grew powerful because it The church grew powerful because it preached that salvation can only come preached that salvation can only come through the Church.through the Church.

At a time when the people were At a time when the people were experiencing famine, disease and plague, experiencing famine, disease and plague, the church was building expensive the church was building expensive cathedrals, demanding tithes from the cathedrals, demanding tithes from the poor, and preaching against greed.poor, and preaching against greed.

Another source of this corruption were the Another source of this corruption were the sale of indulgences and the worldliness of sale of indulgences and the worldliness of some of church leaders.  some of church leaders. 

Chaucer’s Tomb in Westminster Abbey

The EndThe EndSounds of Middle English:The Canterbury Tales

Prologue