The Canterbury Tales

Definition

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century, showcasing a diverse group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral. This work reflects the social and cultural milieu of medieval England, integrating elements of both Christian themes and secular narratives, while also exemplifying the art of storytelling that was significant in medieval literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Canterbury Tales is written in Middle English, making it one of the earliest significant works in this language and a key text for studying the evolution of English literature.
2. Chaucer's characters come from various social classes, including the Knight, the Wife of Bath, and the Miller, providing insight into the diverse aspects of medieval society.
3. The tales encompass a wide range of genres, including romance, fabliau, and moral allegory, showcasing Chaucer's versatility as a writer.
4. Chaucer uses irony and satire throughout The Canterbury Tales to comment on social issues, such as corruption within the Church and the roles of women in society.
5. The unfinished nature of The Canterbury Tales leaves readers with an intriguing glimpse into Chaucer's literary ambitions and highlights the collaborative spirit of storytelling among the pilgrims.

Review Questions

• How does Chaucer use his characters in The Canterbury Tales to reflect social classes and issues within medieval society?
  • Chaucer presents a rich tapestry of characters from various social classes in The Canterbury Tales, such as the noble Knight, the religious Prioress, and the lower-class Miller. Each character's tale reflects their background and societal role, revealing insights into class dynamics, morality, and human behavior. By using these diverse voices, Chaucer critiques aspects of medieval society, including corruption within the Church and societal expectations placed on individuals.
• Discuss the significance of the frame narrative structure in The Canterbury Tales and how it enhances the storytelling experience.
  • The frame narrative structure in The Canterbury Tales allows for a collection of diverse stories while maintaining a cohesive overarching journey among the pilgrims. This format not only emphasizes the act of storytelling itself but also creates opportunities for character interactions and dialogues that enrich each tale. As each pilgrim shares their story with others during their journey to Canterbury, this communal experience adds depth to both individual narratives and themes explored throughout the collection.
• Evaluate Chaucer's use of satire in The Canterbury Tales and its impact on perceptions of medieval institutions and social norms.
  • Chaucer employs satire throughout The Canterbury Tales to critique various institutions, particularly the Church and its representatives. By portraying characters like the Pardoner and the Friar as corrupt and hypocritical, he exposes moral failings that challenge contemporary views on religion and authority. This satirical approach not only encourages readers to question established norms but also contributes to the work's enduring relevance by highlighting universal themes of human folly and social critique that resonate across time.

Related terms

Geoffrey Chaucer: An English poet and author known as the Father of English literature, who wrote The Canterbury Tales and is credited with helping to establish English as a literary language.

Frame Narrative: A literary technique where a main story serves as a framework for telling various smaller stories, as seen in The Canterbury Tales where the pilgrimage narrative contains individual tales.

Pilgrimage: A journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion; in The Canterbury Tales, the pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral serves as the setting for the stories.