Canterbury Tales

A Study of The Canterbury Tales

Table of Contents The Journey Begins . . . England in the Middle Ages Focus question Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales Travelers to Canterbury Chaucer’s Middle Ages Population Works Cited

The Journey Begins . . . In October 1066, a daylong battle near Hastings, England, changed the course of history.

England in the Middle Ages Feudalism replaced the Nordic social system. The primary duty of males above the serf class was to serve in the military—Knighthood. Women had no political rights. Chivalry and courtly love served as the system of social codes

England in the Middle Ages Lower, middle, and upper-middle classes developed in the cities.

England in the Middle Ages The Crusades extended from 1095-1270. They brought contact with Eastern mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and crafts.

England in the Middle Ages The Magna-Carta defeated papal central power.

England in the Middle Ages The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) was the first national war waged by England.

England in the Middle Ages The Black Death (1348-1349) brought the end of the Middle Ages. Fleas on rats carried the bubonic plague which killed thousands of people. in Europe.

How do the writings of the Middle Ages represent the lives, loves, loyalties, and humor of humanity? Discover the answer by reading The Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Geoffrey Chaucer c. 1343-1400 Considered the father of English poetry Wrote in the vernacular Served as a soldier, government servant, and member of Parliament Introduced iambic pentameter First writer buried in Westminster Abbey

Learn more about Chaucer. Go to. . . http://www.unc.edu/depts/chaucer/index.html

The Canterbury Tales: Snapshot of an Age It frames a story of characters on a religious pilgrimage to Canterbury. The characters are a concise portrait of an entire nation. The pilgrimage is a quest narrative that moves from images of spring and awakening to penance, death, and eternal life. The characters tell stories that reflect “everyman” in the universal pilgrimage of life.

The Travelers to Canterbury Working Class

Plowman

Cook

Miller

Reeve

Host

Haberdasher

Dyer

Carpenter

Weaver

Carpetmaker

The Travelers to Canterbury Professional Class

Military

Religious

Knight, Squire, Yeoman

Nun, 3 Priests, Friar, Parson, Pardoner, Summoner

Secular

Cleric, Serjeant at Law, Merchant, Skipper, Doctor

The Travelers to Canterbury Upper Class Wife of Bath

Franklin

Chaucer’s Snapshot of the Middle Ages Population

Works Cited

Home

Brown, Ian. “The Green Knight.” 2002. May 16, 2003 . “Geoffrey Chaucer.” Elements of Literature Sixth Course. Ed. Robert R. Hoyt. Austin, 1977. T99. Pyle, Howard. “Sir Gawain the Son of Lot, King of Orkney.” 1903. May 16, 2003 . “The Canterbury Tales: A Snapshot of an Age.” Elements of Literature Sixth Course. Ed. Robert R. Hoyt. Austin, 1977. T101-T104.