Geoffrey Chaucer - Download Now PowerPoint

							Geoffrey Chaucer


       The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer

 1340?-1400
 Son of wealthy London merchant
 Aristocratic education
 Brief military experience
 Court diplomat
 Controller of the Customs in London
 from 1374-1386
Chaucer

 Time of political and religious turmoil
 Known for “tolerant inquisitiveness”
 and “self-effacing … modesty”
 Wrote in Middle English, closer to
 modern English of Shakespeare
Canterbury Tales
 Frame story – pilgrims traveling to
 Canterbury to pay respects at the shrine of
 St. Thomas a Becket, archbishop
 murdered by king’s men in
 “misunderstanding,” and therefore
 considered a martyr.
 Each pilgrim is to tell 4 stories – 2 on the
 way there, 2 on the way back, but Chaucer
 did not complete this massive endeavor
Canterbury Tales
 Satire found throughout, but very clear in
 The General Prologue’s description of
 pilgrims. Most of the pilgrims are
 unpleasant in some way, and almost all of
 the clergy are corrupt. The Parson serves
 as Chaucer’s model clergyman, Christ-like
 and selfless.
 Entire work written in rhyming couplets
 (iambic pentameter)
 Miller’s Tale represents crass vulgarity,
 Wife of Bath displays ironic consequences,
 Pardoner’s Tale lesson on greed.