The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales is our first unit in which we study English literature. Get comfortable, because all of the titles we study from this point on until the end of your sophomore year will be English in origin.
Like the vast epics we have studied up until this point, the Canterbury Tales tells the story of people on a journey and with a goal- winning a contest. Unlike those epics, this tale is not dangerous or harrowing, but is rather quirky. In this frame narrative, each tale told tells us something about the character who tells it, and their position in English Medieval society. The tales range from educational, to romantic, to humorous. Although the original is written in Middle English, we will be reading a modern English translation that is easily accessible. Enjoy! |
Historical and Biographical Information: Week 1
Before we read any work of literature, it is helpful to understand its context- historical, social, and literary. Also helpful is having an understanding of who the author is and what the perspective may be.
The General Prologue: Week 2
Chaucer begins this work with a section called "The General Prologue". It provides the outer part of the frame narrative and introduces the pilgrims. Chaucer lets us know how he feels about these people in their description, sometimes subtly, sometimes not so subtly.
The Knight's Tale: Week 3
Chaucer's first tale is told by the highest ranking member of the party. It is a chivalric romance set in ancient Greece, but don't be fooled, it's very British and Medieval in its outlook.
The Knight's Tale
The Knight is the first pilgrim to tell a tale on the journey to Canterbury, and he chooses to tell a Chivalric Romance.
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Wife of Bath's Tale
The Wife of Bath is one of the first outspoken female perspectives in literature. Her tale focuses on the power balance in love and marriage.
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The Pardoner's Tale
The Pardoner is one of the representatives of the clergy in this tale. His tale is a very ironic exemplum about the danger of greed.
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