Book Club: The Canterbury Tales Discussion

Introduction

• Host: Michael Knowles
• Guest: Catherine Illingworth
• Focus: Reading The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
• Noted differences from Dante's work, which was more elevated and beautiful.

Overview of The Canterbury Tales

• Premise: Group of pilgrims traveling from Southwick to Canterbury.
• They gather at an inn where the host, Harry Bailey, proposes a storytelling contest:
  • Each will tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back.
  • Winner receives a free dinner.
• Not all stories were completed by Chaucer.
• Written in the 14th century, transitioning from Middle English to modern English.

Comparison to Other Works

• Comparisons made to Dante's works and Boccaccio's Decameron:
  • Similarities in structure: a group tells stories to entertain each other during a journey.
  • Chaucer rewrites many tales from Boccaccio's Decameron.

Thematic Discussion

• Why is it Great?
  • Chaucer blends comedy with serious themes, showcasing that profound truths can be conveyed through humor.
  • British humor is distinct and often addresses serious topics lightly.

Chaucer's Life and Influence

• More records exist about Chaucer's life than most medieval writers, giving insight into his experiences:
  • Son of a wine merchant, rose through the ranks to the aristocracy.
  • Managed estates and interacted with various social classes.

The Prologue

• Introduces the characters and sets the scene for the storytelling.
• Characters are described with humor and individual traits beyond their social status.
  • Example: The Knight is contrasted with more dubious characters.

Key Tales Discussed

The Knight's Tale

• Plot: Centers around two knights, Palamon and Arcite, who fall in love with Emily while imprisoned.
  • Themes of chivalry, love, and the futility of human desires.
  • Ends with tragic consequences despite a semblance of resolution.

The Miller's Tale

• Plot: A farcical retelling similar to the Knight's Tale, focusing on cuckoldry.
  • Features characters who are overly gullible, showcasing Chaucer's humor.
  • Involves trickery and absurd bodily humor.

The Wife of Bath's Tale

• Character: A bold woman who has had five husbands, explores themes of marriage and female autonomy.
  • Central story: A knight must discover what women truly want; learns it is sovereignty over their husbands.
  • Highlights the importance of mutual respect in relationships.

The Nun's Priest's Tale

• Plot: A beast fable featuring a rooster named Chanticleer.
  • Explores themes of rhetoric and communication as tools of power.
  • Commentary on human nature reflected through animal behavior.

Conclusion

• The Canterbury Tales interweaves humor, tragedy, and profound insights into human relationships.
• Each tale reflects different aspects of life, emphasizing the complexity of human nature and societal structure.
• Final thoughts on the pilgrimage motif underscoring the journey of life, with all its elements—sacred and profane.