AND GEOFFREY CHAUCER

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

Born in 1340 in London to John Chaucer, a vitner (wine merchant). He would have been upper middle class.

1357 – worked as a page in the household of Prince Lionel

1359- served in army. Captured by the French but ransomed by the king.

ADULT LIFE

1366 married Phillippa Roet, a lady-in-waiting to the queen.

1370-1378 sent on diplomatic missions to France and Italy.

1386 – began having financial problems 1387 on – Worked on The Canterbury Tales October 25, 1400 – Chaucer died. Buried in

Westminster.

NEED TO KNOW

Pilgrimage – a religious journey Thomas a Becket – Catholic martyr, former

Archbishop of Canterbury(1162-1170). The pilgrims are travelling to his tomb. His shrine was reputed to have great healing qualities.

THE CANTERBURY TALES – THE PLAN

First collection of short stories in English About a group of pilgrims travelling to

Canterbury the seat of the English church (which was still Catholic) who agree to tell stories to pass the time.

Language – Middle English (combination of Old English (Anglo-Saxons) and Norman French

Frame story (story within a story) Each pilgrim was supposed to tell two tales on

the way to Canterbury and two on the way back. As a result, Chaucer intended to write 124 tales, but only actually wrote 24.

THE VALUE OF THE TALES

Subject matter is varied, but grounded in realistic individuals.

Chaucer provides a fascinating cross-section of medieval society.

Chaucer also includes a variety of medieval genres.

Chaucer’s interest in the middle class parallels their increasing importance in society.

GENRES Fabliau –medieval humorous tales told in France by a jongleur,

a traveling storyteller who also entertained with juggling Beast fable – animals with human qualities teach moral lessons Mock-heroic – ridicules chivalry and heroic characters Chivalric romances – tales of adventure, knightly conflict, and

pageantry Breton Lais – set in Brittany, France; Celtic tales of magic fairies,

folklore, and courtly love Exemplum – a moral tale or illustration used by medieval

preachers to make a point Mock-romance – parodies chivalric romance Myth – re-telling a classic myth Prose allegory – people and things represent abstract qualities Sermon – preaches a Christian message Saint’s legend – inspirational tales of martyrdom Moral tale – tales to inspire moral conduct.

TYPES OF SATIRE

Satire – ridicules human vice Mock-heroic – imitation of the literary epic and its style by

exaggerating and distortion and by elevating the trivial to a level higher than it deserves

Bathos – abrupt transition in style from the exalted to the commonplace, producing a ludicrous effect

Parody – mocking a known person, event, or literary work Mockery – subject of scorn, laughter, ridicule Verbal irony – double meaning or saying one thing and

meaning another. Overstatement – exaggeration, saying more than you

mean. Understatement – implying the opposite by saying less Sarcasm – using praise to mock someone

GENERAL PROLOGUE

Time: April/ spring day Place: Southwark, at the Tabard Inn on their

way to Canterbury Chaucer describes the 29 pilgrims (he is the

30th). Read the descriptions carefully, they are often

very telling. The inn keeper proposes the story telling

competition with the winner earning a free supper upon their return.

SOCIAL GROUPS REPRESENTED

Aristocrats Clergy Middle Class Trade Class Peasant Class

Who belongs to which class? Knight, Man of Law, Guildsmen, Doctor, Monk,

Manciple, Friar, Host, Nun’s Priest, Parson, Merchant, Oxford cleric, Squire, Franklin, Reeve, Second Nun, Wife of Bath, Skipper, Prioress, Cook, Pardoner, Miller, Plowman, Summoner, and Yeoman