The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. It is a narrative work that tells the story of a group of pilgrims who are traveling to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The pilgrims come from various social backgrounds and professions, and each one tells a story on the journey to Canterbury. The stories told by the pilgrims range from romance to satire, and they provide a unique glimpse into the social and cultural norms of medieval England.
The Canterbury Tales is structured as a frame narrative, meaning that it is a story within a story. The frame narrative follows the journey of the pilgrims from London to Canterbury, and each pilgrim tells a story along the way. The stories themselves are diverse and cover a wide range of subjects, including love, religion, and social commentary.
One of the most notable features of The Canterbury Tales is its use of language. Chaucer wrote in Middle English, a form of the English language that was spoken and written during the Middle Ages. The language used in The Canterbury Tales is rich and varied, and it reflects the diverse backgrounds and professions of the pilgrims.
Despite being written over 700 years ago, The Canterbury Tales continues to be a popular and enduring work of literature. Its depiction of the lives and struggles of ordinary people, as well as its use of humor and satire, have made it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
Short Introduction to 29 Pilgrims in Canterbury Tales
The Yeoman takes great care of his bow and sharp, keen peacock arrows. It is a business to take money from people as donations who commit any sin in order to give them a clean sheet to go into heaven. He holds a mighty bow in his hand. There are clear sign of unrealistic attitude, ideas and opinions of the narrator. The narrator satirizes the contemporary non-devout life of monks through his portrait of the jolly huntsman. She has excellent table manners: she never lets a morsel of meat fall from her mouth onto her breast, nor does she dip her fingers into the sauce.
Introduction to the General Prologue to Canterbury Tales
The Physician bases his medical practice on principles of astronomy and diagnoses the cause of every malady based on the four humors: hot, cold, moist, and dry. He has greyhounds as swift as birds in flight. Next in the company comes the Franklin, a white-bearded, cheerful landowner whose main goal in life is pleasure and delight. The Shipman knows all about navigation and the tides: his beard has been shaken with many a tempest. After supper, when everyone has paid their bills, the host tells the pilgrims that they are the merriest company he has had under his roof all year and that he will add to their mirth free of charge. He carves the meat at the table when dining. No one realizes that he is in debt.
The Canterbury Tales: Essay Topics & Samples
Even though he himself lives in poverty, he never misses a chance to help those in need. Around this time of year, the narrator says, people begin to feel the desire to go on a pilgrimage. He can also joust, dance, draw, and write well. He uses false flattery to make fools of both priests and laypeople. On days when conflicts are resolved, the Friar behaves not like a cloistered cleric but like a master or pope, donning an expensive cloak and frolicking. His speech is always to the point and full of moral gravity.
The Canterbury Tales The General Prologue Summary & Analysis
A pilgrimage is a religious journey undertaken for penance and grace. Many a man is so hard of heart, says the narrator, that he cannot weep for his sins: instead of tears and prayers, these men give silver to poor friars. Money means nothing to him except as far as it helps him to acquire more books. At the same time, however, he is also a figure of flesh and blood. The Skipper The Skipper is from a famous shipping town, Dartmouth, full of expert sailors. As pilgrimages went, Canterbury was not a very difficult destination for an English person to reach.
The Canterbury Tales General Prologue: Introduction Summary & Analysis
Being a student, he has devoted himself to the pursuit of knowledge at the cost of his health and appearance. The Prioress takes pains to imitate courtly manners and to remain dignified at all times. He wears furs and hunting boots. He is an easy man in enjoining penances when he knows that he would get a good allowance. Explore the distinctive features of the book. In the portraits that we will see in the rest of the General Prologue,. Summoners were supposed to call people before the church court to confess their crimes, but this Summoner can be bought off easily because he cares primarily about his own pleasures.
The Knight is the most distinguished of the company. He has thin yellow hair that he loops over his shoulders in long, elaborate strands, and to show it off, he rides bareheaded. Franklin is also an honest person unlike other pilgrims. The narrator tells us that as he prepared to go on such a pilgrimage, staying at a tavern in Southwark called the Tabard Inn, a great company of twenty-nine travelers entered. When he was on his ship, he stole wine from the merchant, whose goods he was transporting, while the merchant slept.
He loves truth, chivalry, liberality, honor and courtesy. A Parson from a small town is also among the company. He spends considerable time characterizing the group members according to their social positions. He is the only character among all the pilgrims who intervenes in a dispute whenever needed. He disdains lepers and beggars as unworthy: instead, he deals with rich men with whom he can make a profit. They all tell different stories and in different ways. He understands all the usage of woodcrafts extremely well.
