Lecture on The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Introduction to The Canterbury Tales

• Author: Geoffrey Chaucer
• Time Period: Late 1300s, post-bubonic plague era in England and Europe.
• Language: Middle English, helping to popularize the vernacular of the time.
• Structure: A framed narrative comprised of 24 stories.
• Theme: Concerns human failings, societal critiques on gender relations, religion, sexual immorality.
• Satire: Targets the nobility, clergy, and peasantry.

Framed Narrative

• Setting: Pilgrims journeying to Canterbury,
• Narration: Begins with the famous opening lines about the coming of April.
• Journey Setup: 29 pilgrims arrive at the Tabard Inn, Southwark, London.
• Challenge: Host Harry Bailey proposes each pilgrim tells four tales (two each way) with a prize for the best tale.

Characters and Pilgrims

The Knight

• Status: Highest among the pilgrims.
• Background: Chivalrous, fought in Crusades.
• Appearance: Wears a rust-stained fustian tunic.

The Squire

• Relation: Son of the Knight.
• Characteristics: Lusty, young (20 years), interested in poetry.

The Yeoman

• Role: Servant to the Knight.
• Appearance: Wears green, well-armed.

The Prioress

• Name: Madame Eglantine
• Traits: Polite, fluent in French, carries small dogs.
• Symbol: Brooch with "Amour vincit omnia."

The Monk

• Characteristics: Modern, enjoys hunting over religious studies.

The Friar

• Name: Hubert
• Traits: Merry, skilled beggar, popular among Franklin and women.

The Merchant

• Appearance: Forked beard, motley dress.
• Status: Successful in business, possibly untrustworthy.

The Clerk

• Background: Scholar from Oxford, prefers books to wealth.

The Man of Law

• Traits: Judicious, dignified.

The Franklin

• Characteristics: Sanguine, loves food, house full of delicacies.

The Guildsmen

• Professions: Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapester.
• Class: Emerging middle class.

The Cook

• Name: Roger
• Skills: Culinary expert.
• Flaw: Has an ulcer on his shin.

The Shipman

• Origin: Dartmouth
• Skills: Experienced sailor, sometimes deceives merchants.

The Doctor of Medicine

• Knowledgeable in medical authorities, lacks Biblical knowledge.

The Wife of Bath

• Name: Alice Owen
• Traits: Experienced in love, partially deaf, multiple pilgrimages.

The Parson

• Traits: Poor, virtuous, dedicated to his flock.

The Plowman

• Characteristics: Hardworking, charitable.

The Miller

• Traits: Strong, dishonest.

The Manciple

• Role: Business agent, cunning.

The Reeve

• Traits: Slim, meticulous, feared by others.

The Summoner

• Appearance: Pimply, lecherous.

The Pardoner

• Traits: Carries fake pardons, ambiguous personality.

Host Harry Bailey

• Traits: Outspoken, merry, leader of the pilgrimage.

Conclusion

• Summary of the pilgrims' classes, appearances, and numbers as they embark on their journey.