Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales

St. Thomas a’ BecketSt. Thomas a’ Becket ““Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest”Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest” Killed on Dec. 29th 1170Killed on Dec. 29th 1170

The Archbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury

Becket disagreed with King Becket disagreed with King Henry II and was murdered Henry II and was murdered in Canterbury Cathedralin Canterbury Cathedral

There have been several miracles in this cathedralThere have been several miracles in this cathedral

Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer

1387 Chaucer wrote a 1387 Chaucer wrote a free-verse poem about free-verse poem about a pilgrimage to St. a pilgrimage to St. Thomas a’ Becket’s Thomas a’ Becket’s shrine.shrine.

TheTheCanterbury TalesCanterbury Tales

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales Chaucer’s characterization was unlike Chaucer’s characterization was unlike

anything ever written before.anything ever written before. He creates a human encyclopedia by He creates a human encyclopedia by

describing physical and social mannerisms; describing physical and social mannerisms; he also explores the beliefs and morals of he also explores the beliefs and morals of each character. each character.

A pageant of 14A pageant of 14thth century life century life Every class variation is represented except Every class variation is represented except

the highest (nobility) and the lowest (serfs):the highest (nobility) and the lowest (serfs): Upper Class, Learned Professions, Landed Gentry, Medieval Upper Class, Learned Professions, Landed Gentry, Medieval

Manor People, Mercantile Class, Guildsmen, Laborer Manor People, Mercantile Class, Guildsmen, Laborer After Chaucer introduces all of the characters, After Chaucer introduces all of the characters,

each one will tell a two tales on their way to each one will tell a two tales on their way to the Shrine of Thomas a Becketthe Shrine of Thomas a Becket

The General PrologueThe General Prologue April, Tabard InnApril, Tabard Inn The 29 “pilgrims” spending The 29 “pilgrims” spending

the night at the Tabard Inn.the night at the Tabard Inn. The Narrator says he will The Narrator says he will

describe and repeat describe and repeat everything he hears no everything he hears no matter how offensive.matter how offensive.

The Host proposes that The Host proposes that each pilgrim tell 2 tales on each pilgrim tell 2 tales on the way there and back.the way there and back.

The best tale will win The best tale will win dinner at the Inndinner at the Inn

Chaucer’s AttitudeChaucer’s Attitude Some ideals that Chaucer treats seriouslySome ideals that Chaucer treats seriously

Knight, Clerk, Parson, PlowmanKnight, Clerk, Parson, Plowman Some he pokes fun ofSome he pokes fun of

Prioress, Monk, Wife of Bath Prioress, Monk, Wife of Bath Some he says very little about and gives Some he says very little about and gives

no personal view ofno personal view of The Prioress’ entourageThe Prioress’ entourage

Some are not very good: a little negativeSome are not very good: a little negative Shipman, MancipleShipman, Manciple

Some are hardened sinnersSome are hardened sinners Friar, Pardoner, SummonerFriar, Pardoner, Summoner

The CharactersThe Characters Character is revealed in the portraits of Character is revealed in the portraits of

the pilgrims, their tales, and their the pilgrims, their tales, and their behavior or remarks along the way.behavior or remarks along the way.

Five specific methods of Five specific methods of characterization:characterization:

1.1. Radix TraitRadix Trait2.2. Touchstone LineTouchstone Line3.3. Glimpse of the spiritual interior person through Glimpse of the spiritual interior person through

physical description; outward blemished physical description; outward blemished suggest inner blemishessuggest inner blemishes

4.4. Conscious use of hyperbole, usually used to Conscious use of hyperbole, usually used to create biascreate bias

5.5. Disparate (incongruous) detail, particularly Disparate (incongruous) detail, particularly used on the “bad guys”used on the “bad guys”

ChaucerChaucerHe must have been a man of a most He must have been a man of a most wonderful and comprehensive nature, wonderful and comprehensive nature, because, as it has been truly because, as it has been truly observed of him, he has taken into observed of him, he has taken into the compass of his the compass of his Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales the various manners and humour (as the various manners and humour (as we now call them) of the whole we now call them) of the whole English nation in his age.English nation in his age.

John DrydenJohn Dryden, 1700, 1700