Canterbury Tales

Definition

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century, narrated by a group of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. This work is notable for its rich portrayal of medieval society, blending humor and serious themes, and reflecting the diverse voices and social classes of its time. It plays a crucial role in shaping English literature and showcases the transition from medieval to Renaissance thought.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Canterbury Tales is composed of 24 stories told by various characters, reflecting a wide range of social classes and perspectives from the medieval period.
2. Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales in Middle English, making it one of the first major works of English literature and helping to establish English as a literary language.
3. The characters include a diverse group such as a knight, a prioress, a merchant, and a miller, each representing different aspects of 14th-century society.
4. The work features both comic and serious tales, addressing themes like social class, corruption, religion, and the human condition.
5. Although unfinished, The Canterbury Tales provides invaluable insight into medieval life and values, influencing later Renaissance writers by emphasizing individuality and realism.

Review Questions

• How does The Canterbury Tales utilize the frame narrative structure to reflect the diversity of medieval society?
  • The Canterbury Tales employs a frame narrative by presenting the tales told by various pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury. This structure allows Chaucer to showcase a range of characters from different social classes, including nobility, clergy, and commoners. Each character’s story reflects their unique perspective and experiences, providing readers with a multifaceted view of medieval society and its complexities.
• Discuss how Chaucer's use of humor in The Canterbury Tales serves to critique aspects of medieval society.
  • Chaucer uses humor throughout The Canterbury Tales to address various societal issues, such as corruption within the Church and the folly of certain social classes. Through comedic tales like 'The Miller's Tale,' he highlights human vices and absurdities while also encouraging readers to reflect on moral lessons. This clever use of humor not only entertains but also invites critical thinking about societal norms and values during the medieval period.
• Evaluate the impact of The Canterbury Tales on the development of English literature and its influence on Renaissance writers.
  • The Canterbury Tales significantly impacted English literature by showcasing Middle English as a viable literary language at a time when Latin and French were dominant. Chaucer's innovative approach to character development and storytelling paved the way for future authors during the Renaissance. His emphasis on individual experiences and realistic portrayals influenced writers such as Shakespeare and Spenser, who built upon Chaucer’s techniques to explore complex human emotions and societal themes in their own works.

Related terms

Frame Narrative: A literary technique where a main story serves as a framework for connecting multiple shorter stories, as seen in The Canterbury Tales.

Allegory: A narrative that conveys deeper meanings through symbolic figures, actions, or events, often used in medieval literature to explore moral and philosophical themes.

Chivalric Romance: A genre of literature popular in the medieval period that focuses on the adventures of knights and their code of chivalry, often interwoven with themes of love and honor.