Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer is a poets and stories about gives modern readers a sense of the language at the time the book also gives a rich, intricate tapestry of medieval social life, combining elements of all classes, from nobles to workers, from priests and nuns to drunkards and thieves. The General Prologue alone provides a panoramic view of society that is not like any found elsewhere in all of literature. Students who are not particularly interested in medieval England can appreciate the author's technique in capturing the variations of human temperament and behavior. Collections of stories were common in Chaucer's time, and some still exist today, but the genius of The Canterbury Tales is that the individual stories are presented in a continuing narrative, showing how all of the various pieces of life connect to one another. The characters in the Canterbury Tales come from very different backgrounds and walks of life, but it
He, unlike the Pardoner and Friar, much dislikes extorting tithe or fee± (line 496). For example, the Skipper (lines 398-420) seems to be a likeable person, as Chaucer calls him an excellent fellow± (line 405), yet he steals wine, forces his prisoners at sea to walk the plank instead of mercifully releasing them, and generally ignores the the nicer rules of conscience± (line 408). Each of the characters in these three people carves a cut into the storyboard of medieval life. In stark contrast to the Pardoner, Friar and Cleric, the Parson (lines 487-538) is a moral, godly man who is very involved in the Lord's work. The church played an important part in medieval society, and Chaucer includes many church members in the Canterbury Tales. His goal is to show people to the true Savior, both through word and deed (lines 537-538). The knight represents the importance of the chivalric code in medieval society, and also makes obvious the respect the general public had for knights. Knight is not gaily dressed,± but wears a fustian tunic, stained and dark± (lines 76-77). Although many of Chaucer's characters themselves are stereotyped a bit, if not a lot, together they do indeed paint an accurate picture of the entire medieval society. Through his description, satirical views of certain elements, and ironic statements, Chaucer masterfully presents us with a window into the past. The city group, on the other hand, seems to be filled with characters that are either disliked by Chaucer or the follow an immoral code of behavior. Chaucer opens the prologue with his description of the Knight (lines 43-80). Knight is an elderly man, quiet and wise, with peaceful nature, and Chaucer seems to respect him for this.
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Acceptance Essays
