![]() There are key differences between the two works, however. The Canterbury Tales is sometimes compared to The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–1375), a tale-collection written in the mid 14th century. This interaction between the individual tales and the frame narrative is a layered and masterful exercise in characterisation – and one of the great joys of the work. The effect is a shimmering variation which reflects the social world depicted by Chaucer. This formal variation is matched by contrasts in genre and tone: racy fabliaux sit cheek by jowl with sombre descriptions of Christian martyrdom. There is often a shift in form: ‘The Monk’s Tale’ is written in rhyme royal (a seven-line form), ‘The Friar’s Tale’ is in rhyming couplets and ‘The Parson’s Tale’ is in prose. ![]() When the pilgrims begin to tell their stories, however, there is a change of gear. In the links between the tales, the pilgrims bicker and chatter in a way that brings the characters to life. In this way, two narratives are operating at the same time within the work. The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories held together by a framing device (the story of the pilgrimage). What is distinctive about The Canterbury Tales? The result is regarded as a masterpiece of medieval literature, and The Canterbury Tales holds a central place in the English literary canon. To pass the time on the journey, they decide to each tell two tales to the assembled company on the journey there and the journey home. Fixations Advent alma mater Altan Arles Ash Wednesday Avett Brothers basketball beer Bible Boston Carolina Catholic Christianity Chapel Hill Christianity Christmas Classical Constitution Desert Fathers Dogfish Head Don't Ask Don't Tell Duke Easter Elizabeth Gilbert Episcopal Church Eve Carson FIFA folk rock France French G.K.Written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century, The Canterbury Tales tells the story of a group of 31 pilgrims who meet while travelling from the Tabard Inn in Southwark to the shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury.What sort they were and what rank they might be,Īnd what they wore, the clothes they were dressed in Īnd first then with a knight I shall begin. To tell you how they all appeared to me – Is to picture each of this group for you, Nevertheless, while I have space and time,īefore I go further in this tale of mine, I was quite soon ‘one of the crowd` you might say.Īt first light to where, you already know. Since I spoke to them all in a friendly way, There for our comfort was none but the best.Īnd briefly, when the sun had sunk to rest, ![]() ![]() The bedrooms and the stables were well found. That for the Canterbury shrine were bound. Of various folk, to new found friendship come Who has brought health to them when they were sick. Seek out far shrines, renowned in many lands, Then nature stirs them up to such a pitchĪnd wandering travellers tread new shores, strange strands, (The ones who ‘sleep’ all night with open eye,) Into each tender shoot, and the young sunĪnd those small birds begin their melody, Has breathed new life – in every copse and heath – When the West Wind too, with his sweet breath, Its strength creates the newly springing flower Has pierced the drought of March to the root’s feetĪnd bathed each vein in liquid of such power, In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle,Īnd shortly, whan the sonne was to reste,īut nathelees, whil I have tyme and space,Īnd whiche they weren and of what degree,Īnd eek in what array that they were inne Īnd at a Knyght than wol I first bigynne. That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke. To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages,Īnd palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote, Middle English text and Modern English translation below. In honor of the beginning of April-and fully feeling the drought of March-here’s the prologue to the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, read in Middle English.
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