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The Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales. Geoffrey Chaucer. Geoffrey Chaucer. Father of English poetry One of the greatest English poets in his lifetime. Geoffrey Chaucer. Father of the English language Wrote in the vernacular Language of the common man

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The Canterbury Tales

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  1. The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer

  2. Geoffrey Chaucer • Father of English poetry • One of the greatest English poets in his lifetime

  3. Geoffrey Chaucer • Father of the English language • Wrote in the vernacular • Language of the common man • Traditionally literature was published in French or Latin

  4. Masterwork • The Canterbury Tales • Framework story • Inside story framed by outside story

  5. The Canterbury Tales • 124 projected tales • Only 24 exist • Only first half of frame exists

  6. The Frame • The Prologue • Setting • Southwark, England • The Tabard Inn • April 11, 1387

  7. Reasons to attend a pilgrimage • Seek divine assistance • Obtain a miraculous cure • Give thanks for something already received • Penance • Show religious devotion • Social purposes

  8. The Tabard Inn • 29 pilgrims show up for the journey • 14th century heroes and rogues • Medieval life • Medieval values

  9. Destination of Pilgrimage • Canterbury • Shrine of the Holy Martyr • St. Thomas a Becket • Implications of religious corruption • Rumors surrounding his murder

  10. Journey Across Medieval Society

  11. The Tales • Each tale can stand on its own • The tales reflect various aspects of Medieval literature • Romance and Comedy • Rhyme and Prose • Crude Humor and Religious Mysteries

  12. The Narrator • Chaucer is the author and will serve as the narrator • Will join the pilgrims • Offers an unbiased opinion • Tell facts; provide insight • Condition of each pilgrim • Profession and degree • Apparel • Physical description

  13. Chaucer • Worldly • Has experienced many things and many people in his lifetime • Educated • Began Writing in twenties • Poetry • Translations of French Poetry • Realistic • Offers insight into human character

  14. Direct Characterization Directly told what a character is like Indirect Characterization Information is provided about the character, appearance and speech, which enables us to determine what the character is like Characterization

  15. The Canterbury Tales • Considered by historians and scholars to be the best contemporary picture of 14th century England

  16. The Knight Chivalrous 15 Mortal battles Fought wherever he was needed Modest Stained Tunic Rendering Thanks The Oxford Cleric Spent $ on books Thin Threadbare clothing Somber Would gladly teach and gladly learn Interest in knowledge, not $ Not interested in working for the church Not interested in finding a quick way to make money Admirable Characters

  17. Squire A knight in training Fights well Jousts rides Interested in the ladies Dresses to impress Fights to impress Acts to impress Has the potential to be like his father Yeoman Proper forester Proper equipment Wears green Medal of St. Christopher Patron saint of foresters Patron saint of travelers Acceptable/Flawed Characters

  18. Merchant Claims to be an expert Offers opinion Knows the sea Knows currency Was in debt Hypocrite Claims to be what he is not Tradesmen Started union for workers Protected member Hurt non-members Created a monopoly Worked Hard Because of wives Equipment is high quality and well taken care of Acceptable/Flawed Characters

  19. Acceptable/Flawed Characters • The Cook • Knew all skills of a professional cook • Roast, seethe, broil, fry • Bake a tasty pie • Had an “ulcer” on his knee • Blancmange, creamy chicken dish, was one of his specialties • Poor hygiene • Possibly contaminates food

  20. Prioress Overweight Ate foods of wealth Spoke terrible French Appear smarter than those around her Sang with an intoning through her nose Appear sensual Sympathies lied with animals Fed them foods of wealth Jewelry Love conquers all Physical appearance Red lipstick Exposed freakishly large forehead Monk Overweight Hunted Not considered holy Decorated sleeves with fur Would ride or hunt in free time Ignored rules of St. Benet and St. Maur Founded and followed monastic rules Did not study Was not tormented Refused to put life on a shelf Corrupt

  21. Friar Intimate with women Arranged marriages Offered gifts lisped Overweight Offered absolution for a gift Blackmailed people Knew innkeepers and barmaids Avoided sick and needy Kept $ collected for the church Sergeant at the Law Knew every criminal and every crime Implies he is a criminal Manipulated or took advantage of people Used position and power to make money Used intelligence to take advantage of less intelligent Dress is gaudy and tacky Corrupt

  22. Franklin House open to all Really open to only rich Glutton In a society that is impoverished Lived for his pleasure alone Implies he does not care about others or if his pleasures interfere with the pleasures of others Hired help fears him Severe treatment if he is not happy with their work Skipper Sent prisoners home More of a pirate All walked the plank No mercy No conscience Stole wine Dagger on a lanyard around his neck Symbolizes violence Dagger Noose Corrupt

  23. Time periods may differ: Human nature changes little, if at all!!!

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