The Canterbury Tales, written by the versatile English courtier, diplomat, philosopher, and author Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387-1400, is a collection of over twenty stories written in Middle English during the time of the Hundred Years’ War. In 1386, Chaucer became Controller of Customs and Justice of Peace and, three years later, Clerk of the King’s work in 1389. It was during these years that Chaucer began working on this most famous text of his. The tales are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.
The Prologue introduces all of the pilgrims in great detail, and through these descriptions Chaucer provides the entire spectrum of social classes and professions of his time. When the group stops at an inn and the innkeeper introduces a competition for a free dinner, the pilgrims begin telling each other stories that reflect their stations, genders, purity, corruption, humor, tragedy, cynicism, and innocence.
Chaucer reveals for modern readers a wonderfully vivid picture of medieval life in an impressive array of literary styles that uphold his reputation as the Father of English Literature. The first of books printed in England, ’the Canterbury Tales’ immense popularity is shown by the number of manuscript copies still in existence.
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