Geoffrey Chaucer

1
Geoffrey Chaucer

• 1343(?) 1400
• The father of English poetry and perhaps the
  prince of it.
• Only Shakespeare surpasses him
• Came from a well-to-do middle class family
• Had several occupations
• page in court, army abroad (POW), several key
  government positions (more traveling), diplomat,
  royal clerk, Knight of the shire all gave him
  insight to all walks of life!

2
The Canterbury Tales

• Greatest but unfinished masterpiece
• Only twenty-four of a projected 120 tales
  completed
• Stories told by many different types of people,
  giving a very complete view of life during the
  Medieval period
• Stories are mostly unoriginal and familiar, he
  just told them better!
• (Like Will)

3
The Canterbury Tales

• Covers all walks of life, including the three
  segments of Medieval society
• 1) Court 2) Church 3) Commoner
• as well as Courtship and Chivalry
• One man writing so many different tales is part
  of the genius!

4
Premise

• Twenty-nine pilgrims ? travel in groups for
  safety and companionship
• They stop at an Inn
• Host of the Inn sees that it is a lively group
  and proposes a game to keep them entertained on
  their journey

5
Premise contd

• Each person will tell two tales on the way there
  and two tales on the way back
• The winner, determined by the Host, gets a free
  dinner paid for by everyone else
• Tale is of good morality and general pleasure