Introduction to the Canterbury Tales [Short Summary]

Introduction to the Canterbury Tales

A comprehensive study of chaucer's famous work 'The Canterbury Tales'. A tale of the characters, their situation and major events

• Objectives
• Introduction
• The Opening Section of the Prologue
• The Portraits
• The Concluding Section of the Prologue

Objectives:

The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of Geoffrey Chaucer's famous work, "The Canterbury Tales". This analysis will focus on the characters, their situations, and the major events that take place in the story. The study will examine the opening and concluding sections of the prologue, as well as the portraits of the characters.

Introduction:

"The Canterbury Tales" is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century. The story is set in the 14th century, and it revolves around a group of pilgrims who are traveling to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket. The pilgrims come from all walks of life, and they each tell a story on the journey to Canterbury. The stories that they tell reflect their personalities and their beliefs, and they provide a window into the society of the time.

The Opening Section of the Prologue:

The opening section of the prologue sets the scene for the rest of the story. It describes the time of year, which is April, and the place where the pilgrims meet, which is the Tabard Inn in Southwark, London. The narrator describes the inn and the host, Harry Bailey, who proposes that the pilgrims should tell stories to pass the time on the journey. The narrator then introduces the pilgrims one by one, describing their appearance, their occupation, and their personalities.

The Portraits:

The portraits of the characters in "The Canterbury Tales" provide a vivid picture of the people who lived in 14th-century England. The characters come from all walks of life, including nobility, the clergy, and commoners. Each portrait is a brief, but revealing, sketch of the character's personality and motivations. For example, the Knight is described as a "true, perfect, gentle knight", while the Miller is "a great stout fellow, big in brawn and bone".

The Concluding Section of the Prologue:

The concluding section of the prologue sets the stage for the stories that the pilgrims will tell. The host, Harry Bailey, suggests that each pilgrim should tell two stories on the journey to Canterbury and two stories on the journey back. He proposes a contest, with a free dinner as the prize for the best story. The pilgrims agree, and they set out on their journey the next day.

The Tales:

Each of the pilgrims in "The Canterbury Tales" tells a story on the journey to Canterbury. The stories reflect the personality and beliefs of the character who tells them. The stories are written in a variety of styles and genres, including romance, fabliau, and morality tale. Some of the most famous tales include "The Wife of Bath's Tale", "The Knight's Tale", and "The Miller's Tale".

The Wife of Bath's Tale tells the story of a knight who must answer the question, "What is it that women most desire?" in order to save his life. The Knight's Tale is a romance about two knights who fall in love with the same woman. The Miller's Tale is a fabliau about a carpenter who is deceived by his wife and her lover.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, "The Canterbury Tales" is a masterpiece of medieval literature. The characters, their situations, and the stories they tell provide a window into the society of 14th-century England. The opening and concluding sections of the prologue set the scene for the story, while the portraits of the characters provide a vivid picture of the people of the time. The stories themselves reflect a variety of styles and genres, and they provide insight into the beliefs and values of the people who lived during this time period. "The Canterbury Tales" remains a classic work of literature.