What are the three structural units of CT? How are they related? (MEG 101 CHAUCER)

What are the three structural units of CT ? How are they related?

The three structural units of "The Canterbury Tales" are the General Prologue, the individual tales, and the Retraction.

The General Prologue serves as an introduction to the pilgrims and sets the framework for the narrative. In it, Chaucer introduces the characters and provides details about their physical appearance, social status, and personality.

The individual tales are the heart of the work and consist of stories told by the pilgrims during their journey to Canterbury. Each tale reflects the personality and interests of the pilgrim who tells it, and they cover a wide range of genres, including romance, fabliau, and morality tale.

The Retraction, written at the end of the work, is a brief statement in which Chaucer apologizes for any offense he may have caused and asks for forgiveness. It is believed that the Retraction was meant to serve as a conclusion to the work, but it is unclear whether Chaucer intended to include it in the final version of the poem.

Overall, the three structural units of the poem are related in that they all contribute to the larger narrative of the pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury, and each unit serves a distinct purpose in furthering the themes and ideas of the work.