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The Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales. by Geoffrey Chaucer. Geoffrey Chaucer. 1343? – 1400 Middle-class family Royal page, soldier, diplomat, royal clerk Varied experiences in the medieval world 1366: Married lady-in-waiting to the queen. The Canterbury Pilgrimage.

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The Canterbury Tales

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  1. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

  2. Geoffrey Chaucer • 1343? – 1400 • Middle-class family • Royal page, soldier, diplomat, royal clerk • Varied experiences in the medieval world • 1366: Married lady-in-waiting to the queen

  3. The Canterbury Pilgrimage • Pilgrim – a person who journeys a long distance to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion • Pilgrims traveled to Canterbury Cathedral to pray at the murder site of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

  4. St. Thomas Becket • Born Dec 21,1118 • 1162 – Became Archbishop of Canterbury • Killed Dec 29, 1170 by four knights loyal to King Henry II • 1173 – Pope Alexander canonized Becket

  5. St. Thomas Becket • Martyr: Representation of the fight between the Church and the King • Canterbury became the most important pilgrimage site in England

  6. Middle English • The Canterbury Tales is written in Middle English. • Middle English: 1066-mid 15th century • Considered the vernacular, or everyday, language of the people • Whan that Aprill with his shouressooteThe droghte of March hath perced to the roote,And bathed every veyne in swichlicourOf which vertuengendred is the flour;

  7. Languages in Chaucer’s Time Five languages spoken in England during Chaucer’s time. • Latin: language of the Church • Welsh: language of Wales (west England) • Cornish: language of southwest England (Cornwall) • Norman French: language of government • Middle English: language of everyday

  8. Norman Influences • 1066 – William the Conqueror invades England • Norman refers to people who lived in Normandy (France)

  9. Norman Influences • Norman-French was the “official” language of government (the King and others), many modern government terms were derived from the Normans. courtparliament judgeappeal jury

  10. Old English v. Norman-French • The invasion of the Normans expanded the English vocabulary by thousands. The following three words all mean “of or related to a king” Old English: kingly Norman-French: royal Latin: regal

  11. The Canterbury Tales • 26 “tales” • Chaucer’s manuscript is incomplete • Illustrates the traits and faults of human nature • Popularized the use of English in literature The Pardoner

  12. The Seven Deadly Sins • Pride(vanity, narcissism, conceit, arrogance) • Envy • Wrath (anger) • Sloth(laziness) • Greed(avarice – a sin of excess) • Gluttony(overindulgence, for example of food and drink) • Lust(depraved thought, need to be accepted by others, unwholesome morality)

  13. The Seven Virtues • Chastity • Moderation (self-restraint) • Generosity • Labor • Meekness (composure) • Charity • Modesty (humbleness; humility)

  14. The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue • Narrator and 29 other pilgrims meet at the Tabard Inn outside London • The pilgrims come from all classes of society • Tavern owner, Harry Bailey, challenges the pilgrims to tell two stories each on the way to Canterbury and two stories on their journey back.

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