Medieval Poetry

Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer led a full and varied life that exposed him to the diverse strata of English society during the 14th century. Chaucer was born around the year 1343 in London to a middle-class family. He began a career as a public servant when still a young teenager, working as a page to the wife of Lionel of Antwerp, the Duke of Clarence. Lionel was a son of the reigning King Edward III, so Chaucer's apprenticeship brought him into close proximity to the royal court and elite society. His worth was made evident in 1359 when, during war with France, Chaucer was captured and King Edward paid an expensive ransom of sixteen pounds for his release.

Contrary to many of his literary contemporaries, there are many detailed records of Chaucer's life due to his work in various positions, such as public administrator and political envoy. Traveling to many parts of Europe, Chaucer met other prestigious writers such as Petrarch and Boccaccio. In the later half of his life, he was recognized as an accomplished writer in his own right. During the 1380s, Chaucer began work on his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales. He elected to write this collection of stories in vernacular English rather than the customary French or Latin of the time.

Chaucer is believed to have died in 1400 of unknown causes. He is the first writer to be buried in the prestigious Poets' Corner, a section of Westminster Abbey that commemorates many of England's most accomplished poets, playwrights, authors, and other contributors to British scholarship and art.

Background to The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer's literary work was greatly appreciated and revered in his day, a fact that has changed little throughout the centuries. His masterpiece The Canterbury Tales is a frame story, or a series of stories within a story. Chaucer pulls from diverse sources such as Greek and Roman mythology, French literature, English songs and poetry, classic fables, and Italian tales in an innovative way that combines the old with the new. It is partly due to this that Chaucer is remembered as "the Father of English Literature." Take a moment now to explore some of the historical context behind the story and preview some notable features that characterize this paragon of the English literary canon. Click the player button to begin.

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Methods of Characterization

The Canterbury Tales is an interesting story not only for its subject matter and themes but also for the way it is written. Chaucer incorporates description and background information into the dialogue and action of the characters. This allows you to get a deeper understanding of the pilgrims. Familiarizing yourself with various methods of characterization is an important part of literary analysis. View this presentation for a brief overview of direct and indirect characterization. Cick the player button to begin.

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Allusions

An allusion calls to mind a well-known event, person, or object. By recognizing allusions, you can better understand the meaning of a certain work, whether it be a novel, story, poem, song, piece of art, or even a television show or movie. As you can see, allusions are widely used in creative works.

Many allusions reference the myths of Greek and Roman mythology. For instance, a character might be compared to Cassandra, the Trojan princess who was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo in return for her affections. When she spurned his advances, he placed a curse on her so that no one would believe anything she said.

The Bible is an abundant source of allusions for literature and other works of art. For instance, you might think of a snake as an evil, sneaky creature because of the allusion to the Biblical serpent that was responsible for Adam and Eve's fall from paradise. The serpent alludes to a tempter who brings about destruction.

Although classical mythology and the Bible are among the most common sources of allusions found in British literature, allusions can come from anywhere. Below are some other common sources of allusions:

• other works of literature (Dante, Shakespeare, or Voltaire)
  
• popular artists and their works (Michelangelo, Da Vinci, or Picasso)
  
• famous architectural structures that exist now or are well-known from history (the Sphinx, Eiffel Tower, or the Colossus)
  
• historical figures (the Roman emperor Julius Caesar and the Persian physician Avicenna).

Not only are allusions found in literature, but they are also found in the world around you. You might be surprised to know that allusions are used in the names and branding of many products and services you purchase or use every day. Being able to recognize allusions in literature and other places in your daily life can help you better understand the intended message. Take a moment to explore descriptions and examples of common allusions in this interactivity. Click the player button to begin.

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Exploring The Cantebury Tales

The Prologue

Now you will read "The Prologue" from The Canterbury Tales that introduces all of the pilgrims. As you read the Prologue, pay close attention to the Knight, the Pardoner, and the Wife of Bath; you will also read their individual tales, so the Prologue will give you your first impression of these characters. While you are reading, consider what types of direct and indirect characterization Chaucer uses to introduce each pilgrim. If you find it difficult to follow the text, try reading the lines of poetry as if they were prose sentences, paying attention only to the meaning of the words. Then, you can go back later and reread the lines to appreciate the rhythm and and rhyme.

The Knight's Tale

At the end of "The Prologue," the pilgrims draw straws to see who will tell the first tale, which belongs to the Knight. Now you will read "The Knight's Tale" from The Canterbury Tales. This story is about two knights who have sworn allegiance to each other but fall in love with the same woman. While you are reading, consider the following questions:

• Which of the knights is more deserving of Emily's hand in marriage?
  
• Do you agree with Theseus's plan to settle the dispute between the two knights? Why or why not?
  
• What does this tale say to you about friendship, honor, and love?

 

The Pardoner's Tale

In medieval times, a person who has sinned could buy forgiveness by purchasing pardons, which were pieces of paper signed by a bishop that bestowed forgiveness upon the sinner on behalf of the Church. In the prologue of "The Pardoner's Tale," the Pardoner talks about how he goes about selling pardons. He does not hesitate to admit that his goal is to make money rather than absolve people of their sins, but he insists that he can still tell a moral story. The tale he tells is an exemplum, a story meant to teach a moral lesson. While you are reading "The Pardoner's Tale," consider the following questions:

• According to the tale, what effects does the plague have on society?
  
• What is the moral lesson of The Pardoner's Tale?
  
• What is your reaction to the way the Pardoner behaves after finishing his tale?
  

The Wife of Bath's Tale

The Wife of Bath sets her story in the medieval times of the legendary King Arthur. The protagonist of her story is a lusty knight who creates a scandal when he assaults a young maiden. The consequences of his crime unfold throughout a tale that reflects the Wife of Bath's own values regarding women and their role in society. Now take a moment to read "The Wife of Bath's Tale" and consider the following questions:

• What allusions can you identify in the tale?
  
• What do the beliefs of the Wife of Bath say about the role of women in her time?
  
• Do you agree that the knight's punishment is sufficient? Why or why not?

 

World Literature: The Masnavi

Like The Canterbury Tales, the Masnavi-i Ma'navi is a poetry collection of tales consisting of thousands of rhyming couplets. Often referred to simply as the Masnavi, the title means "rhyming couplets of deep spiritual meaning" in Farsi. The Masnavi was written by a Persian Sufi poet known in English as Rumi. Author of some of today's most widely read poetry in the world, Rumi lived in the Middle East during the 13th century. The tales of the Masnavi come from a variety of sources, such as the Qur'an (the holy book of Islam), hadith (teachings of the Muslim prophet Muhammad), Sufi mysticism, and common everyday stories. Also like The Canterbury Tales, the Masnavi contains many exempla, or stories that teach a moral lesson. Take a moment now to enjoy two of them: "The Prince and the Handmaid" and "The Merchant and His Clever Parrot." While you are reading selections from the Masnavi, think about what other similarities it shares with The Canterbury Tales.

 

The Canterbury Tales, Characterization, and Allusions Review

Now that you have explored The Canterbury Tales as well as the use of characterization and allusions in literature, it is time to review your knowledge and practice what you have learned. In this non-graded activity, read the set of directions associated with each question and provide your answer. Click the player button to get started.