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
Edward III
1327-1377
Chaucer a Valet
Negotiated Trade Treaty with Naples
Edward
The Black Prince
Fought in France
Lionel
Duke of Clarence
John of Gaunt
Most Powerful Figure
Chaucer a Page
Chaucer marries
John's sister-in-law
Died 1372
Chaucer Captured
Richard II
1377-1398
Deposed
Chaucer--Helped arrange marriage
Controller of Wool Trade, Clerk of Works
Justice of Peace and Knight for Kent
Henry IV
1399-1427
Powerful
Chaucer continued offices
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 welldocumented 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.)