Chaucer (c.1343-1400)

Geoffrey Chaucer is considered to be England’s first great

literary genius.

Copyright 2012 - Peter S. Willis

The “Calamitous” 14th Century The 14th Century was a

time of great unrest and upheaval– Political unrest – England loses

domains in France (Hundred Years’ War)

– The Plague 1348-1349

– Peasants’ Revolt 1381

Chaucer & the English Kings

Richard II1377-1398Deposed

Chaucer--Helped arrange marriageController of Wool Trade, Clerk of Works

Justice of Peace and Knight for Kent

EdwardThe Black PrinceFought in France

Died 1372Chaucer Captured

LionelDuke of ClarenceChaucer a Page

Henry IV1399-1427Powerful

Chaucer continued offices

John of GauntMost Powerful Figure

Chaucer marriesJohn's sister-in-law

Edward III1327-1377

Chaucer a ValetNegotiated Trade Treaty with Naples

London in 14th Century

50,000 pop. Center of

politics, commerce

Home to a rising, independent middle class

Chaucer’s Background Father was a wine

merchant– Solidly middle

class– Still close to the

royal court Royal connections

from early on Chaucer’s life is well-

documented because he served in so many public offices

Chaucer’s Major Public Offices

Comptroller of the Customs for the Port of London

Clerk of the King’s Works

Commissioner of the Peace and Knight of the Shire for Kent

French Period (?-1372)

Works– Roman de la Rose– Book of the Duchess

Influences– French romances– Latin classics

• Ovid and Boethius (Consolations of Philosophy)

Italian Period (1372-1385)

Works– Troilus and Criseyde

Influences– Dante – Petrarch and Boccaccio (Decameron)

English Period

Works– The Canterbury Tales

Influences– Italian

• Boccaccio’s interest in “ordinary” people

– Growing interest in English “ordinary”– Are the characters in The Canterbury

Tales based on people Chaucer actually knew?

Chaucer’s Language – Middle English

Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales in Middle English.

Middle English is the basis for our Modern English of today.

Elements of Style and Plot Overview

Chaucer uses certain elements of style, such as characterization, ironic tone, and sensory language, to enhance his work.

Each of the tales in his work are part of a larger story, known as a frame story.

The Host to the people on the pilgrimage connects each story together.

The context for having so many tales is a contest to see who can tell the best story during the characters’ pilgrimage to Canterbury.

Character Overview

There are many characters in Chaucer’s work.

The characters are introduced in the General Prologue by a brief but telling description of their appearances and their personalities.

The characters range from noble, honest characters to much more wicked characters.

Chaucer uses each character to present a commentary on the society in which he lived.

The Canterbury Tales Character Example: The Pardoner – He is Not What He Seems to Be

The Pardoner is supposedly a holy man who helps people in their everyday lives through spirituality.

BUT the Pardoner uses his position to exploit innocent, poor people by promising them great things in return for donations.

The Canterbury Tales Anticipation Questions

Keep in mind the personalities (characterization) of the different people Chaucer describes.– What do the characters look like?– What do they say, think, or do?

Watch for ironic tone. (Chaucer’s opinion of the characters is opposite of what he seems to say about them in his descriptions.)