Tabard Inn

Definition

The Tabard Inn is a significant location in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales,' serving as the starting point for the pilgrimage to Canterbury. This inn is where the characters gather and where the storytelling begins, highlighting the social diversity and character dynamics that define the work.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Tabard Inn is described as a welcoming place where travelers from different walks of life come together, reflecting the social diversity of medieval England.
2. The host of the inn, Harry Bailey, plays a crucial role by inviting the pilgrims to share their stories, setting the tone for the narrative structure of the tales.
3. Chaucer uses the inn as a microcosm of society, showcasing various social classes and professions through the diverse cast of characters who meet there.
4. The inn serves not only as a physical location but also symbolizes the beginning of a journey, both literally and metaphorically, as the characters embark on their pilgrimage.
5. The stories told by the pilgrims at the Tabard Inn provide insight into their personalities and values, making it an essential aspect of understanding the overarching themes in 'The Canterbury Tales.'

Review Questions

• How does the Tabard Inn serve as a setting that reflects the social diversity found within 'The Canterbury Tales'?
  • The Tabard Inn acts as a gathering place for a wide range of characters, each representing different social classes and professions in medieval England. This diversity is essential for understanding the themes of social commentary and character dynamics in Chaucer's work. By placing these varied characters together in one setting, Chaucer creates an opportunity for dialogue and interaction that highlights their differences and similarities.
• Analyze the role of Harry Bailey as the host of the Tabard Inn and how he influences the narrative structure of 'The Canterbury Tales.'
  • Harry Bailey plays a pivotal role as both host and instigator of storytelling among the pilgrims at the Tabard Inn. He proposes a contest where each pilgrim will tell tales on their journey to Canterbury, establishing a frame narrative that connects all the individual stories. His character not only facilitates interaction among diverse characters but also adds an element of competition that drives the narrative forward.
• Evaluate how Chaucer uses the Tabard Inn to initiate themes of journey and storytelling in 'The Canterbury Tales,' and discuss its broader implications for understanding human nature.
  • Chaucer employs the Tabard Inn as a launching point for both physical and spiritual journeys, emphasizing that storytelling is an essential aspect of human experience. The diverse group at the inn allows for multiple perspectives on morality, class, and societal values. This setting illustrates how individual experiences and narratives shape collective understanding, making it clear that storytelling is not just entertainment but a reflection of human nature itself.

Related terms

Pilgrimage: A journey undertaken by individuals to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion or for spiritual growth.

Frame Narrative: A storytelling structure that includes a main narrative that sets the stage for a series of smaller stories, as seen in 'The Canterbury Tales.'

Social Commentary: The use of literature to critique society, politics, and human behavior, which is a key theme in Chaucer's tales.