1 / 15

Canterbury Tales

Canterbury Tales. Geoffrey Chaucer. The Canterbury Tales. written by Geoffrey Chaucer in late 1300s. Chaucer is knows as “The Father of English Poetry.” the masterpiece of the Middle Ages. provides us with an accurate account of Medieval England. King Henry II.

roth-pittman
Download Presentation

Canterbury Tales

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer

  2. The Canterbury Tales • written by Geoffrey Chaucer in late 1300s. Chaucer is knows as “The Father of English Poetry.” • the masterpiece of the Middle Ages. • provides us with an accurate account of Medieval England.

  3. King Henry II • When King Henry was young, he was Thomas aBecket's best friend. • In the 12th century, the church ruled the country with great power and owned a large amount of land. • Did not suit King Henry, who thought that the Church people should obey only his laws.

  4. Thomas a Becket • When the Archbishop of Canterbury Church died, King Henry expected that Becket would take his place. • Henry thought this would help him acquire the church’s power and land • Becket did not do as the king had hoped. • “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”

  5. Thomas a Becket (cont.) • Taking the kings words literally, 4 knights arrived at Canterbury and killed Becket. • Becket was declared a martyr.

  6. Canterbury Cathedral It was from London to Canterbury Cathedral (60 miles) that the pilgrims in Chaucer’s Prologue traveled. There they could honor the martyr.

  7. Come see Canterbury Cathedral • Point of sword that had killed Becket. • Becket’s skull covered with silver except for his forehead where he had been stabbed. • Bones of lesser saints • Ampulla – small flask containing anointing oil • Gifts left by pilgrims • Souvenirs – silver or pewter heads of Becket. • Tokens – badges to show they had been there. Kind of bumper stickers of Middle Ages.

  8. The Prologue • begins at the TABARD INN outside of London. • It is April, a common time for pilgrimages. • The pilgrims will travel the “Pilgrim’s Road” from London to Canterbury Cathedral.

  9. Site of Tabard Inn

  10. Chaucer paints a vivid portrait of each pilgrim, creating a sense of medieval life. “The Prologue” is written in RHYMED COUPLETS of IAMBIC PENTAMETER. • The plan is to have each pilgrim tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back.

  11. The Canterbury Tales is a frame story 29 pilgrims tell 2 stories each Chaucer planned 120 Finished 24 1 fragment

More Related