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Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales. Introducing… Geoffrey Chaucer. Born 1340 Son of a wine merchant in a middle class household He became the page in a royal house, then a soldier, and eventually a diplomat and royal clerk Married a lady-in-waiting to the queen. More on Chaucer.
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Introducing… Geoffrey Chaucer • Born 1340 • Son of a wine merchant in a middle class household • He became the page in a royal house, then a soldier, and eventually a diplomat and royal clerk • Married a lady-in-waiting to the queen
More on Chaucer • Began writing in his twenties • LOVED to travel • He was considered the greatest English poet during his life • Died October 25, 1400 and is buried in Westminster Abbey
What’s Happening in Britain?! • Feudalism! The dominant social system in medieval Europe. • 4 Dominant Classes: • Monarch: Top class, ruled their kingdom, divided the land and governed their people. • Lords: Had castles and manors, governed their area and set laws, and raised army. • Knights: Fought wars for their lord and king and competed in many tournaments. • Peasants: Grew food for the people, lowest class, provided many services.
What’s Happening in Britain?! • Famine • Black Death • Life expectancy below 30 • Monks and nuns run hospitals – leeches! • No dental hygiene = no teeth & smelly breath! • The Catholic CHURCH could save you – more important than the King
Life Reflects Art • Each character in The Canterbury Tales represents a different segment of society in Chaucer’s time. • Chaucer provides social commentary, writing that offers insight into society, its values, and its customs. • During this time period, the top jobs that you want are to be in the clergy or work as a knight for the king.
Style of Writing • He wrote in Middle English using the heroiccouplet, a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables (iambic pentameter) • The Canterbury Tales is actually a story about stories, twenty-four different tales set within the overarching tale of the pilgrimage. • Definition: • Frame Story – a story within a story • The Outer Frame Story is about the pilgrims meeting at the Tabard Inn preparing for a journey to Canterbury. • The Inner Frame Story would be all the stories told by the assembled pilgrims along their journey to and from Canterbury.
More on His Style of Writing • In the Prologue, Chaucer introduces each pilgrim, creating a sense of medieval life. Legend has it that Chaucer wrote about people he met in his travels! • He wrote primarily in the style of Satire a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule. • Like sarcasm . . . He says one thing, but means another.
Fun Facts! • Written by Chaucer in his later years (1386); he never completed writing it; planned 120 tales but only completed 22 • This is the best picture we have of 14th century life in England • Chaucer may have been inspired by his own pilgrimage to Canterbury!
How It All Goes Down • The Canterbury Tales begins with a Prologue, • Narrator, presumably Chaucer himself, meets 29 other pilgrims at the Tabard Inn, located in a suburb of London. • As the pilgrims prepare for their journey, the host of the Inn, Harry Bailey, sets a challenge: • Each pilgrim tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two stories on the return trip. The person who tells the best tale will be treated to a feast hosted by the other pilgrims.
One Answer: Religion! • The Canterbury Tales is about PILGRIMS travelling from London to the tomb of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. • Canterbury has always been an important religious center in England. You could go there for help with medical, financial or other problems. • Obviously, religion played an important part in medieval life. • Because life was so terrible, the only thing people had to look forward to was dying and going to Heaven. • Many sought guidance and paid homage to one man….
Thomas Beckett • The King Henry II’s best friend & financial advisor • - he was VERY powerful • When the Archbishop (leader of the church in England) died, the King persuaded Becket to take over • Becket took to it like a duck to water and gave up his luxurious lifestyle – only bread, water and he slept on the floor! • But King Henry had an ulterior motive….
Keep Your Friends Close….. • There were 2 courts in England: Church & Royal • The Church court was too soft – he wanted Becket to toughen it up…BUT HE REFUSED. • The King had such a temper he shouted that he wanted Becket dead!
…But Your Enemies Closer! • 4 knights took him literally and went to Canterbury Cathedral where they stabbed him to death, on the ALTAR! • The Pope made him a saint and people visited thinking it would bring them luck
The death of Becket angered the peasants who felt his Saxon heritage made him one of them.
Canterbury Cathedral became a site for pilgrims to offer prayers to St. Thomas.
Today, a modern cross made from swords marks the site of the martyrdom
Pilgrims….Like Thanksgiving?! • APilgrim is anyone who goes on a pilgrimage, a visit to a place of some significance; often religious and far away. • a Muslim visiting Mecca • a Jew visiting Jerusalem • In the Middle Ages, pilgrimages were thought to clear your sins and earn you brownie points, as travel was dangerous and took ages. • Canterbury, England • The Vatican, Vatican City (Italy)
Yes, They Happen Today! • Modern pilgrimages are to visit places of personal importance • Elvis Presley fans visiting his home in Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee • Musical Hero • Ancestors/heritage • Sporting Event • Place of Interest
