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The Canterbury Tales

Historical and Cultural Context

Born around 1340 knight of the shire (Kent) Went on many diplomatic trips

throughout Europe learned much about the classes in

feudal society Died in October 1400 before he could

finish his most famous work, The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer

King had the divine right to rule, which is granted by God and passed down hereditarily

Lords were appointed by the King in order to keep peace over the lands ruled by the king

Knights were appointed by the Lords to protect the land, as well as the Lords and the King

Serfs or peasants worked the land

Feudalism

Feudal System

Daily Life

Members of the church had high political standing

Wielded power over people, as mostly everyone believed in God and his power

Church commanded many taxes from people (tithes)

The Church

30 pilgrims from varying stations in the feudal system

In the Prologue, the Host suggests that each pilgrim tell at least 4 tales, two on the way there and two on the way back

The Canterbury Tales

Map of the Journey to Canterbury

would have taken at least four days to complete the trip, but Chaucer has his pilgrims do it in one day

use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose or criticize people’s stupidity or vices

Estates Satire or “social satire” Pilgrims are from 3 different

estates: clergy, nobility and peasantry

used to show how they fall short of the ‘ideal’ member of that class

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNBP18nrRdw

Satire

a story embedded into a story

Forrest Gump starts with him on the park

bench and towards the end he’s still on the bench (until he leaves) but he tells a series of stories about his life in between

Titanic, Princess Bride, Never Ending Story

Frame Story/Tale