The Canterbury Tales: Overview

The Canterbury Tales: Overview

• Written between 1387 and 1400
• Key event in English language development. English used in Parliament for the first time
• Plague killed a third of the population.
• Normans introduced French language to England in 1066 (Battle of Hastings) which influenced Middle English evolution
• Early Medieval literature focused on courtly/knightly themes.
• Fabliaux emerged as a satirical genre within romance.
• Chaucer considered the "father of English poetry" as one of the first to write extensively in English.
• Upper-middle class background. Served as soldier, government official, and member of Parliament.
• Christian but critical of the Church.
• Master of satire, a literary technique used to criticize something with humor.
• Scribes were shifting from monastic to secular domains.
• Canterbury Tales was popular with both upper and lower classes. French fabliaux satirized the clergy, similar to Chaucer.
• Presents a valuable look at medieval life.

Narrator's Characteristics

• Deeply religious ("a devout heart").
• Engaged in social interaction, wanting to get to know all of the pilgrims
• Energetic and not lazy ("rise early").
• Focused on capturing the details of the journey.

Character Descriptions:

Knight

• Model of chivalry; dedicated to "truth, honour, and faith."
• Experienced in battle; fought in the Crusades.
• Humble and respectful. Wears armor (hauberk and fustian) and clothes.
• Represented as a perfect embodiment of the chivalric ideal.

Squire

• Young, athletic, and attractive, with an interest in love and romance.
• High-class dress, contrasting with the more functional attire of the knight.
• Demonstrates aspiration for knighthood in the future.

Yeoman

• Possibly a non-white character.
• Equipped with arrows; possibly associated with hunting or forest.
• Wears a saint's medal (St. Christopher), suggesting a connection to travelers.
• Well-maintained equipment.

Prioress

• Mimics the French court culture, speaking French with an imperfect accent.
• Shows wealth and status through appearance, clothing, and manners.
• Critical of the Church, but her critique is subtle and indirect through the lack of focus on monastic life in her actions.
• Considered attractive: heavier is beauty standard.
• Proper manners but not genuine.

Monk

• Disregards established monastic rules; enjoys hunting and other pleasures.
• Wealthy and well-dressed. Shows little concern for his role.
• Seen as an example of corruption in the Church by the narrator.

Friar

• Travels extensively; involved in relationships with women, though often of low status for financial gain.
• Not strictly observed in monasteries, but is very active in the community.
• Effective beggar.
• Opportunistic, prioritizing connections over his spiritual duties. Prioritizes relationships with the wealthy.

Merchant

• Wealthy, but in debt.
• Appears prosperous but is not. Shows pride through his extravagance.

Clerk

• Prioritizes studies and learning (philosophy).
• Demonstrates financial dependence.
• Less focused on physical appearance than other characters; showing wealth through friendships w/ wealthy.

Sergeant of Law/Lawyer

• Shown as a wealth person with a wealthy status.
• Wise and skilled in using loopholes to his advantage.

Four Humors

• Medieval medical concept of bodily fluids influencing personality and health.
• Sanguine, melancholic, choleric, and phlegmatic

Franklin

• Wealthy landowner of noble status.
• Cheerful and generous host; values good food and drink.
• Appreciated for his hospitality and for making his house a place of joy.

Guildsmen

• Represented as a rising social class, gaining some influence but not nobility.
• Wealthy through trading.
• Emphasis on appearance.

Cook

• Excellent cook but not well-behaved, and possibly unhealthy himself.
• An experienced cook though possibly associated with sickness or infection.

Shipman

• Skilled seafarer, but potentially dishonest, involved with petty theft.

Doctor

• Practicioner of medicine, practicing both legitimate and illegitimate medicine.
• Understands and uses the four humors theory.
• Values astronomy.

Wife of Bath

• Experienced in matters of love and relationships; has had many husbands.
• Wealthy and influential in her social circle.
• Experienced with love and marriage (and also in lovemaking).

Parson

• Ideal religious figure, focuses on spiritual guidance and leading by example. Compassionate, and not greedy. Dresses plainly.

Plowman

• Demonstrates hard work and generosity.
• Represents a kind and moral peasant.
• Humble clothing and a simple attitude.

Miller

• Strong, physically imposing character; dishonest, and greedy.

Manciple

• Food supplier for lawyers, who overcharges them for the services or food.

Reeve

• Well off financially, but cunning, and shrewd farmer.
• Well-oriented and intelligent, but possibly sneaky and cruel.

Summoner

• Church official, dishonest, and involved in corruption.

Pardoner

• Selling fake relics, and taking money using spiritual means.
• Dishonest and deceitful.

Host

• Innkeeper who organizes the story-telling contest.

Other Themes

• Corruption in the Church.
• Social hierarchies and class differences.
• Gender roles and expectations.
• Appearance vs. reality.
• Critique of human behaviour (honesty, honesty, truth).

Critiques of People and Institutions

• Critiques of corrupt church officials like the summoner and the pardoner.
• Critiques of some who focus on physical appearance but are not morally sound.
• Critiques of the four humors, which reflect the character's attitudes and behaviours.

Additional Notes

• The Miller's Tale and other tales are included, and their themes of social satire/criticism are analyzed.

Explore the significance of The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387 and 1400. This overview highlights key events in the evolution of the English language and literature during the Medieval period. Discover Chaucer's role as a pioneer of English poetry and the social context of his work.