Chaucer presentation
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Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) is considered the father of English poetry. He wrote some of the earliest poems in English, including The Canterbury Tales. The document provides biographical details about Chaucer, an overview of his major works, and a description of the characters from The Canterbury Tales that go on a pilgrimage and tell stories. Some of the most prominent characters described are the Knight, the Prioress, the Monk, the Friar, the Pardoner, the Wife of Bath, and the Miller. The document emphasizes Chaucer's important contributions to literature as one of the first authors to use English as a language of poetry and to portray realistic characters and contemporary life.
Chaucer presentation
- 1. Welcome to this Class in the Department of English Uttara University
- 2. “THE CANTERBURY TALES” by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400)
- 3. * About Geoffrey Chaucer . . . Father of English poetry, greatest English poet of the medieval ages. First poet of national importance. Author, poet, philosopher and alchemist. Chaucer also maintained an active career in the civil service as a bureaucrat, courtier and diplomat. Traveled in Flanders, France, Spain and Italy where he observed various types of men, manners and fashions. Which highly influenced him for his literary creations. 3
- 4. * Chaucer’s Life . . . Born in London around 1343. precise date and location of his birth remain unknown. Son of wealthy London vintner (wine merchant). Educated in St Paul’s Cathedral School, and later at Inner Temple where he studied law. In 1357, he became a courtier, diplomat and civil servant. In 1368-78, he was sent to France, Genoa and Florence. Where he influenced by the works of authors like Dante, Boccaccio and Froissart. 4
- 5. * Chaucer’s Works . . . 5
- 6. Early period ( up to c.1370) -- Translation of ‘Roman de la Rose’ -- The Book of the Duchess Middle period (up to c.1387) -- The House of Fame -- The Parliament of Flows -- Translation of ‘Consolation of Philosophy’ -- Troilus and Criseyde -- The Legend of Good Women Last period (after 1387) -- The Canterbury Tales 6
- 7. Features of Chaucer’s Works Gift of story telling and descriptive power Use of musical element Personal touches; charming, humorous Rarely philosophized softness in narration Perennial interest in humanity Happy world (as there is pain and perplexity, but no agony or rebellion) 7
- 8. “The Canterbury Tales” - (c.1387) ( Most remarkable work of Chaucer ) Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales influenced by Boccaccio’s ‘Decameron’. 29 pilgrims meet at Tabard Inn. 23 of them tell stories. In Canterbury Tales there are 24 stories. Chaucer tells two stories – Tale of Thopas and Tale of Melibeus. The Canterbury Tales begins with Knight’s Tale and ends with Parsons Tale. It ends with “Retraction”, Chaucer’s apology for the vulgar and unworthy parts of this book. 8
- 9. Pilgrims meet at Tabard Inn -- 9
- 10. Upper Class Middle Class Upper Lower Lower Class Virtuous Immoral Knight Merchant Cook Yeoman Miller Squire Clerk of Shipman Oxford Parson Manciple Prioress Man of Law Doctor of Physique Plowman Reeve Monk Frankline Wife of Bath Summoner Friar Five Guildsmen Pardoner 10
- 11. *Characters The Pardoner The Knight The Squire The Monk The Friar The Summoner 11
- 12. The Parson The Nun’s Priest The Second Nun The Prioress The Merchant The Clerk of Oxford 12
- 13. The Wife of Bath The Man of Law The Shipman The Physician The Reeve The Franklin 13
- 14. The Manciple The Miller The Cook Chaucer 14
- 15. The Knight – Member of the Household Group Represents ideals of truth, honour, generosity, courtesy, modesty and gentleness. First to arrive Tabard Inn after Chaucer. Wildly travelled and prudent. Tells first tale ‘Knight’s Tale’. The Squire – Son of the Knight. Was “as fresh as the month of may” Fought battles for winning his ladyloves. He is humble and modest. Tells an ‘Oriental Tale’. 15
- 16. The Prioress – Her name was Eglantyne. Beautiful, romantic and amiable. She had fine table manners. loves small dogs more than human beings. The Monk – Compared to the Prioress in religious affection. A robust and masculine man, the Monk travels with the Prioress and Second Nun. 16
- 17. The Friar – Supposed to live a poor life by begging but is more interested in love affairs of young people. Good singer The Pardoner – Chaucer’s masterpiece in character drawing. Good story-teller; sing hymns beautifully. 17
- 18. The Summoner – Pardoner’s companion Lecherous and dishonest Children are afraid of his fiery red face full of pimples and scary eye brows. He loves garlic, onion, leeks and wine. Spout of few Latin Phrases he knows. The Parson – Ideal parish priest. Thought only holy thoughts and did only good deeds. He is very gentle and diligent. 18
- 19. The Clerk of Oxford – A Neutral portrayal Devoted to the study of philosophy Eager to learn and teach Prayed for the souls of those who helped him He is polite and speaks only when necessary He speaks about morality His tale is a reply to the tale of wife of bath it is about the patient Wife Griselda. 19
- 20. The Merchant – Wealthy businessman He wore rich and multicolored clothes and hat from Holland. Carries himself so well that no one realizes he is heavily in debt Newly and unhappily married The Man of Law – Wise and slightly suspicious of everything He had vast knowledge of law often appointed by the king as a judge of the court of assizes Wealthy land-buyer 20
- 21. The Franklin – Companion of Man of Law A wealthy gentleman who like to have wine in the morning Because he loves pleasure, he is called “Son of Epicurus” At Country meetings he is representative and chairman ‘ The Franklin’s Tale’is story set in Brittany * The Five Guildsmen – They are artisans and are newly rich represents urban middle class They are – Haberdasher, a Carpenter, a Weaver, a Dryer and a Tapestry Maker 21
- 22. The Wife of Bath – Bath is famous for cloth-making and she was herself an expert in weaving/ embroidery. Lived an honourable life Wildly travelled in Italy, Spain and Jerusalem Loved to tell romantic tales and to gossip The Physician – Extremely good at his profession and astronomy Knew of every disease and where it came from and gives cure immediately Eats a simple diet which is healthy He saved gold, because of his love of gold 22
- 23. The Reeve – Slender (thin and graceful) man named Oswald In charge of his master’s sheep, cattle, dairy, swine (pig), horses, stock and poultry. He could observe seasons, weather and foretell harvest Also a good carpenter, a trade which he had learnt in youth 23
- 24. The Shipman – Live din the west country and comes from Dartmouth Bold and prudent Wildly travelled Expert in matters regarding the position of the moon, the tides, the currents and the perils of the sea His ship was called The Magdalen * The Yeoman – Knew all techniques of carpentry and carried a sword, guard and a shield and a dagger He is a woodsman compared to Robin Hood 24
- 25. The Manciple – Worked at a college of lawyers. An attendant who purchases provisions for a college and an inn of court He serves food to the lawyers and students at the temple Despite his lack of education, this Manciple is smarter than the thirty lawyers he feeds. The Cook – His name is Roger. He was employed by the Guildsmen. Perfect in cooking food His masterpiece is minced chicken in white sauce. 25
- 26. The Miller – His name is Robyn. Found of telling indecent tales He tells the tale of a bawdy fabliau. Wore white coat and blue hood. Expert in grinding corn and stole corn by pushing the scales with his thumb, for which narrator swears he had a “golden thumb”. 26
- 27. The pilgrims delivering tales 27
- 28. *Chaucer’s Contribution to Literature Creator of English Language and Poetry – -- First metrical artist, humorist and humanist -- First national poet of England -- He gave reformed and reshaped language as a powerful instrument of expression -- Informed musical sweetness and liquidity to language -- First man to use “Naked Words” First Great Realist – -- Believe that poetry is the free secular spirit -- Portrayed comprehensive picture of contemporary life -- Realistically presented the social, economic and religious condition of age -- Keen observer of men and manners 28
- 29. Characterization of Chaucer – -- First great character painter -- Portrayed real life characters -- Characters are drawn from keen observation of man and women -- First writer to bring atmosphere of romantic interest about men and women First great narrative poet in English – -- Father of English Novel -- “Troilus and Criseyde” first novel written in verse -- It has plot, dialogue, humour, irony, realism, conflict, dramatic elements etc. -- Character Criseyde is the first true psychological study of complex woman -- Pandarus is the first comic character in English 29
- 30. *Chesterton humorously remarks – “If Chaucer is the father of poetry, he is grandfather of English fiction” *Albert Calls Chaucer – “The earliest of the great moderns” 30
- 31. *References – 1. ‘Ages, movements and Literary Forms’, Dr. Satish Kumar, Lakshmi Narain Agarawal, Agra. 2. TES Notes, Kalyani Vallath. 31
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