English literature

 Lesson 3. Geoffrey Chaucer and his Canterbury Tales

                       Geoffrey Chaucer 

       

Geoffrey Chaucer (/ˈtʃɔːsər/; c. 1340s – 25 October 1400) was an English poet and author. Widely considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages, he is best known for The Canterbury Tales. He has been called the "father of English literature", or the "father of English poetry". He was the first writer to be buried in Poets' Corner, in Westminster Abbey. Chaucer also gained fame as a philosopher and astronomer.

One of the reasons Chaucer is so important is that he made the decision to write in English and not French. In the centuries following the Norman invasion, French was the language spoken by those in power. The Canterbury Tales was one of the first major works in literature written in English. Geoffrey Chaucer spent over a decade writing The Canterbury Tales, from the late 1380s until his death in 1400. His original plan was to write 120 stories as part of the collection of ''tales'' but he only wrote 24

The Canterbury Tales consists of the stories related by the 29 pilgrims on their way to Saint Thomas Becket's shrine in Canterbury. The purpose of their trip is religious; they are going to pay homage to the the blessed martyr, Thomas a Beckett.

Harry Bailey, the Host, had proposed a scheme in the General Prologue whereby each pilgrim was to narrate two tales on the way to Canterbury and two more while returning.

 Chaucer planned that each character would tell four stories: two while going to Canterbury and two while returning to London. If Chaucer had finished, he would have written 120 stories. He only actually wrote 24. We never get to see the pilgrims reach Canterbury, nor do we learn who wins the competition.

·                                 Geoffrey Chaucer, in his General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, introduces an array of characters who have stopped at an inn on their way to Canterbury.

The Knight Socially the most prominent person on the pilgrimage, epitomizing chivalry, truth, and honor. He stands apart from the other pilgrims because of his dignity and status.

The Miller A drunken, brash, and vulgar man who rudely interrupts the Host, demands that his tale be next, and warns everyone that his tale about a carpenter will be vulgar because it is true.

The Reeve A very old and irritable man who was once a carpenter. He resents the Miller's tale about a stupid old carpenter.

The Man of Law (or Sergeant of Law) A lawyer and one of the high justices of the court. He is cautious, suspicious, and wise, and one of the more cultivated men among the pilgrims.

Roger, the Cook Known for his cooking and characterized by a chancre sore that runs with pus. His story is incomplete.

The Wife of Bath (Alisoun) Characterized as gat-toothed, somewhat deaf, and wearing bright scarlet red stockings. She has had five husbands (the last half her age), enjoys her freedom, and is openly sensual.

Hubert, the Friar A sensual, licentious man who seduces young girls and then arranges their marriages. He loves money and knows the taverns better than the poor houses.

The Summoner An officer of the church who calls people for a church trial. He is as ugly as his profession; he frightens children with his red complexion, pimples and boils, and skin infected with scales.

The Clerk A sincere, devout student at Oxford University who loves learning and is respected by all the pilgrims. He is very poor because he spends all his money on books.

The Merchant A shrewd and intelligent man who knows how to strike a good bargain and is a member of the rich rising middle class.

The Squire A vain, lusty young man and a candidate for knighthood. He can sing, write poetry, and ride a horse very well, and considers himself a lady's man.

The Franklin A large and wealthy landowner who enjoys fine living and good companionship.

The Shipman A huge, uncouth man who can steer a ship but flounders on his horse.

The Prioress (Madame Eglantine) A very genteel lady who is coy and delicate. She has precise manners, eats as an aristocrat would, and wears a gold brooch with "Love conquers all" inscribed in Latin.

The Physician A doctor who can speak knowingly of medicines, drugs, and humours, and who knows astrology as well. He is fond of gold and makes a lot of money during the plague season.

The Pardoner The most complex of all the pilgrims. He is an intellect and uses advanced psychological means to gain his objective. Although he is not a good person, he can preach a good sermon.

The Monk A man who tends the property of the monastery. He is fat and happy, loves good food and wine, and finds the taverns more to his liking than the cold, severe monastery.

The Nun's Priest The priest of the church who accompanies the nuns so that they may offer up their confessions.

The Second Nun A very devout nun who, because she believes that idleness leads to sin,

The tales could be described both as social realism and as estates satire. At the same time that Chaucer takes care to honestly show the perspective of each of his characters, he also aims to critique the hypocrisy of the church and the social problems posed by Medieval politics and social custom.

In The Canterbury Tales, we see Chaucer explore moral values and lessons. 

Social satire is the major theme of The Canterbury Tales. The medieval society was set on three foundations: the nobility, the church, and the peasantry. Chaucer's satire targets all segments of the medieval social issues, human immorality, and depraved heart.

The Canterbury Tales ranks as one of the greatest poetic works in English.

Whatch  the video about J.Chauser and The Canterbury Tales.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NM62kze5z-t8DUiFc2KCMNWa9MckG61d/view?usp=sharing

Test 3

Geoffrey Chaucer and his Canterbury Tales

1. How many people are going on the pilgrimage to Canterbury?

 

a) 23   b)50  c)30   d)17

 

2. How many tales will each pilgrim tell, there and back?

a) 2      b)4       c)6        D)24

 

3. Why is the fact that Chaucer wrote in English so important?

 

 Because he was from Scotland and spoke Gaelic.

 Because the official language of England was French.

 Because writing was outlawed in England during the 14th century.

 Because he was blind.

4. How many tales did Chaucer complete before he died?

a)120   b)14   c)46  d)24

 

5. True or False:

Geoffrey Chaucer lived in the 15^th century

6. Answer the question.

What is The Canterbury Tales about?