The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer

Early Life• Born c. 1340• Family of wine makers and

merchants• Mid-teens

– Placed in the service of the Countess of Ulster

– Obtain more education – Schooled in court and

society• Learned

– Latin and Greek – French and Italian

Other Jobs Chaucer Held/Learned from• Controller of Customs on Wools, Skins and Hides for the

Port of London– Businessmen, Sailors, Travelers, City Folk and Common Laborers

• Clerk of the King’s Works– Construction and repairs affecting the royal residences

– Guildsmen and Court Officials

• Deputy Forester of the King’s Forests– Away from the city

– Peasants, Foresters, Local Clergy and other Country Folk

• Representative of the Shire of Kent in Parliament– The Rich, the Influential and the Upper Middle Class

– Higher ranking Church Officials

The Language• Prior to Chaucer England texts

were in:– Latin

(the language of the church) – French

(the language of the nobility) • The Canterbury Tales

– Wrote in the language of the people.

• Medieval English – Changed the history of

literature.

• Late 14th century world = spoken word.

• Books – Copied by hand – A rare luxury

• Educated elite – Read– Preferred to hear texts as

entertainment. • The Canterbury Tales

– Earthy humor (Peasants)– Vivid dialogue

(Upper Class)– A success!

Chaucer’s Plan• Prologue

– Introduction of Characters (Pilgrims)

• A series of stories

– Linking dialogues

– Commentaries

• A pilgrimage based on a dare

– Each character (23) would tell 2 stories there and 2 stories coming back

Characterization• Job• Type and color of clothing• “Accessories”

(jewelry, pets, other portables)• The way they act• Income• “Secrets”• Their status in society • The way they speak / their

slang/accent• Mode of transportation

Why Canterbury?!

Canterbury = Important religious center

in England

Answer 1: Religion• Important part in medieval

life.

– Plague

– Warfare

– High Infant Mortality Rate

– Short Life Expectancy

• A whole life in harsh conditions

• Best thing you had to look forward to was dying and going to heaven

Answer 2: Pilgrimage Site• People of all classes went on pilgrimages to holy

sites. • Asked for help with medical, financial or other

problems.

Answer 3: The

Shrine of

St. Thomas À Becket

Canterbury Cathedral A site for pilgrims to offer prayers to St.

Thomas.

• Becket was a trusted adviser and friend of King Henry II.

• Henry named Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury.• Greater power in England

for the Church of Rome

Who was Becket?

Becket’s outspoken style angered the King.

Henry complained, “Will no one rid me of

this meddlesome priest?”

3 knights rode to Canterbury where they

found Becket at the altar of Canterbury Cathedral…

…and murdered Becket

at the altar!

The death of Becket angered the peasants

(felt his Saxon heritage made him

one of them)

A modern cross made from swords marks the site of the martyrdom.

So, travel back to London, to an area called Southward, and stop at the Tabard Inn…

…to hear the story begin!