Why does the pilgrimage (and the poem) begin in spring? (MEG 101 CHAUCER)

 Why does the pilgrimage (and the poem) begin in spring?

The pilgrimage in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" begins in the spring because spring was traditionally seen as a time of rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings. In the Middle Ages, spring was associated with the Christian holiday of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the triumph of life over death.

By beginning the poem in spring, Chaucer is creating a sense of hope and optimism that permeates the entire work. The idea of a pilgrimage, in which people travel to a holy site seeking spiritual renewal, also reinforces this theme of rebirth and renewal.

In addition, spring was a time when people would gather to celebrate and enjoy the outdoors after the long, dark, and cold winter months. The pilgrimage in "The Canterbury Tales" is, in some ways, a celebration of life and community, and the setting of the poem in the spring underscores this sense of joy and conviviality.

Overall, the choice to begin the poem in spring reinforces the themes of renewal, hope, and community that run throughout the work, and sets the tone for the journey that the pilgrims are about to undertake.