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The Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales. The Medieval period. Lasted from around the 5 th to the 15 th Century Society governed by the feudal system, which replaced Anglo-Saxon social structure

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The Canterbury Tales

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  1. The Canterbury Tales

  2. The Medieval period • Lasted from around the 5th to the 15th Century • Society governed by the feudal system, which replaced Anglo-Saxon social structure • This system established different ruling classes, with the king as the leader of the nation; at the bottom were free laborers and serfs, or enslaved peoples who worked for other classes

  3. Code of chivalry • Women had few to no political rights during the period • Chivalry: moral and social law and customs of upper classes during the Middle Ages • The Code of Chivalry was based around three areas: how to behave as far as war, religion, and women. • All knights were supposed to obey this code • Courtly love: medieval way of appropriately showing love and admiration; typically secret and between two members of the noble class

  4. The Medieval period • The Black Death (bubonic plague) affected the population of medieval Europe – and England – greatly • From 1348-1350, the disease killed about 1.5 million people in medieval England, out of a population of of 4 million • Transmitted through infected fleas that fed on rats and humans • Brought about social, economic, and religious changes

  5. Author background • The Canterbury Tales were written by Geoffrey Chaucer. • Lived from around 1343-1400. • Worked in a royal house, as a soldier, as a diplomat, and as a royal clerk • No clear inspiration for the Tales: may have been based on Chaucer’s own pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Thomas Becket • Often called the Father of English Poetry.

  6. The Canterbury Tales • Believed to have been started around 1380 • Considered to be unfinished – only around 24 of the 120 stories were completed • Originally written in Middle English • In the story, 30 pilgrims are traveling to the tomb of Thomas Becket • Becket was appointed archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II to help the king control the Catholic Church • Becket turned on the king and was assassinated by his knights • Struggle between king and church

  7. The canterbury tales • The tales represent many different social classes in medieval life • Very different from other literature of the period • Realism • Characterization: direct vs. indirect • What do we know about the characters? Are we told, or shown? • Direct: direct statements about a character • Indirect: uses action, dialogue, and thoughts to reveal a character’s personality

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