Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

Definition

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century, framed within a narrative of a pilgrimage to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. This work is significant for its vivid portrayal of a diverse range of characters from different social classes, reflecting the changing dynamics of medieval society and foreshadowing elements of humanism that would emerge in the Renaissance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales in Middle English, which was innovative at the time since much literature was written in Latin or French.
2. The collection features 24 tales told by a group of pilgrims, including characters such as the Knight, the Wife of Bath, and the Pardoner, each representing different aspects of society.
3. The work is notable for its use of satire and social commentary, often critiquing the Church and social norms of the time.
4. Chaucer's use of vernacular language made literature more accessible to a broader audience, paving the way for future writers like Shakespeare.
5. The unfinished nature of The Canterbury Tales adds to its intrigue, with Chaucer leaving many character arcs and stories open-ended.

Review Questions

• How does Chaucer's use of a frame narrative enhance the storytelling in The Canterbury Tales?
  • Chaucer’s frame narrative allows for a rich variety of stories and perspectives as each pilgrim shares their tale during the journey to Canterbury. This structure not only connects diverse characters from different social classes but also highlights their distinct voices and experiences, giving readers insight into medieval society. By framing these stories within a common goal, Chaucer creates a dynamic interplay between the individual tales and the overarching pilgrimage theme.
• In what ways do the characters in The Canterbury Tales reflect the emerging ideas of humanism during Chaucer's time?
  • The characters in The Canterbury Tales are complex and multifaceted, showcasing individual desires, flaws, and virtues that reflect humanist ideals. Chaucer gives voice to a range of social classes, allowing characters like the Wife of Bath to express personal agency and challenge societal norms. This focus on individual experience and self-expression aligns with humanism's emphasis on human potential and the importance of personal narrative over rigid societal roles.
• Analyze how Chaucer critiques social norms and institutions through specific tales in The Canterbury Tales.
  • Chaucer employs satire to critique various social norms and institutions, particularly through tales like The Pardoner's Tale and The Wife of Bath's Tale. In The Pardoner's Tale, he exposes the hypocrisy of religious figures who exploit people's fears for profit, while The Wife of Bath challenges traditional views on marriage and gender roles. These critiques not only reflect contemporary issues but also contribute to broader discussions about morality and ethics in medieval society, positioning Chaucer as a forward-thinking commentator on his time.

Related terms

Frame Narrative: A literary technique that involves telling a story within another story, used by Chaucer to connect the various tales in Canterbury Tales.

Humanism: An intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized human potential and achievements, influencing literature to focus on individual experiences and secular themes.

Allegory:

A narrative in which characters and events symbolize deeper moral or political meanings; many tales in Canterbury Tales contain allegorical elements.