The Canterbury Tales

Definition

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century, depicting a diverse group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral. This work is significant as it showcases the use of the vernacular English language during the Renaissance, moving away from the traditional Latin and French texts that dominated literature at the time, making literature more accessible to a wider audience. The tales encompass various themes, social classes, and moral lessons, reflecting the complexities of medieval society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Canterbury Tales consists of 24 stories told by a group of pilgrims who gather at the Tabard Inn in Southwark before heading to Canterbury.
2. Chaucer uses a variety of narrative styles and genres in the tales, including romance, comedy, and tragedy, showcasing his versatility as a writer.
3. The work highlights social issues and human behavior, often using satire to critique the Church and various societal norms of Chaucer's time.
4. Chaucer's use of iambic pentameter and rhyme royal helped to establish English as a legitimate literary language.
5. The unfinished state of The Canterbury Tales leaves readers with questions about Chaucer's intentions and the potential future journeys of his characters.

Review Questions

• How does The Canterbury Tales reflect the social structure and diversity of medieval society?
  • The Canterbury Tales showcases a wide range of characters from different social classes, including a knight, a prioress, and a miller. Each character's story reveals their unique perspectives and experiences, reflecting the complexities of medieval life. Through these narratives, Chaucer presents an insightful commentary on the values, beliefs, and social issues prevalent in his time.
• Discuss the significance of vernacular language in The Canterbury Tales and its impact on literature during the Renaissance.
  • By writing The Canterbury Tales in vernacular English instead of Latin or French, Chaucer made literature accessible to ordinary people. This shift was significant because it marked a turning point in literary history where writers began to embrace their native languages, fostering a greater connection between authors and their audiences. As a result, this paved the way for future English literature and encouraged other writers to follow suit.
• Evaluate how The Canterbury Tales employs the frame narrative technique and its effectiveness in delivering its themes.
  • The frame narrative technique in The Canterbury Tales allows Chaucer to bring together diverse voices and stories within a single cohesive structure. This approach effectively highlights various themes such as morality, love, and social critique by presenting multiple viewpoints through different characters' tales. The interplay between the pilgrims’ personalities and their stories not only enhances the reader's understanding but also emphasizes the richness of human experience during that era.

Related terms

Geoffrey Chaucer:

An English poet and author, best known for writing The Canterbury Tales, which established him as one of the greatest poets of the Middle Ages.

Vernacular Literature: Literature written in the everyday language of the people, rather than in Latin or other scholarly languages, which was crucial for reaching a broader audience during the Renaissance.

Frame Narrative: A literary technique used in The Canterbury Tales where a main story serves as a framework for telling various shorter tales within it.