chaucer (c.1343-1400) geoffrey chaucer is considered to be england’s first great literary genius....
TRANSCRIPT
Chaucer (c.1343-1400)
Geoffrey Chaucer is considered to be England’s first great
literary genius.
Copyright 2012 - Peter S. Willis
The “Calamitous” 14th Century The 14th Century was a
time of great unrest and upheaval– Political unrest – England loses
domains in France (Hundred Years’ War)
– The Plague 1348-1349
– Peasants’ Revolt 1381
Chaucer & the English Kings
Richard II1377-1398Deposed
Chaucer--Helped arrange marriageController of Wool Trade, Clerk of Works
Justice of Peace and Knight for Kent
EdwardThe Black PrinceFought in France
Died 1372Chaucer Captured
LionelDuke of ClarenceChaucer a Page
Henry IV1399-1427Powerful
Chaucer continued offices
John of GauntMost Powerful Figure
Chaucer marriesJohn's sister-in-law
Edward III1327-1377
Chaucer a ValetNegotiated Trade Treaty with Naples
London in 14th Century
50,000 pop. Center of
politics, commerce
Home to a rising, independent middle class
Chaucer’s Background Father was a wine
merchant– Solidly middle
class– Still close to the
royal court Royal connections
from early on Chaucer’s life is well-
documented because he served in so many public offices
Chaucer’s Major Public Offices
Comptroller of the Customs for the Port of London
Clerk of the King’s Works
Commissioner of the Peace and Knight of the Shire for Kent
French Period (?-1372)
Works– Roman de la Rose– Book of the Duchess
Influences– French romances– Latin classics
• Ovid and Boethius (Consolations of Philosophy)
Italian Period (1372-1385)
Works– Troilus and Criseyde
Influences– Dante – Petrarch and Boccaccio (Decameron)
English Period
Works– The Canterbury Tales
Influences– Italian
• Boccaccio’s interest in “ordinary” people
– Growing interest in English “ordinary”– Are the characters in The Canterbury
Tales based on people Chaucer actually knew?
Chaucer’s Language – Middle English
Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales in Middle English.
Middle English is the basis for our Modern English of today.
Elements of Style and Plot Overview
Chaucer uses certain elements of style, such as characterization, ironic tone, and sensory language, to enhance his work.
Each of the tales in his work are part of a larger story, known as a frame story.
The Host to the people on the pilgrimage connects each story together.
The context for having so many tales is a contest to see who can tell the best story during the characters’ pilgrimage to Canterbury.
Character Overview
There are many characters in Chaucer’s work.
The characters are introduced in the General Prologue by a brief but telling description of their appearances and their personalities.
The characters range from noble, honest characters to much more wicked characters.
Chaucer uses each character to present a commentary on the society in which he lived.
The Canterbury Tales Character Example: The Pardoner – He is Not What He Seems to Be
The Pardoner is supposedly a holy man who helps people in their everyday lives through spirituality.
BUT the Pardoner uses his position to exploit innocent, poor people by promising them great things in return for donations.
The Canterbury Tales Anticipation Questions
Keep in mind the personalities (characterization) of the different people Chaucer describes.– What do the characters look like?– What do they say, think, or do?
Watch for ironic tone. (Chaucer’s opinion of the characters is opposite of what he seems to say about them in his descriptions.)