Friday, March 4 / QW #6 – social class / Canterbury Tales Notes / QW #6 – social class /...
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Transcript of Friday, March 4 / QW #6 – social class / Canterbury Tales Notes / QW #6 – social class /...
Friday, March 4Friday, March 4
QW #6 – social class Canterbury Tales Notes
QW #6 – social class Canterbury Tales Notes
Today’s GoalsToday’s Goals
Discuss characterization/social class
Learn helpful historical background information for The Canterbury Tales
Review the literary devices Chaucer uses (satire, frame story)
Discuss characterization/social class
Learn helpful historical background information for The Canterbury Tales
Review the literary devices Chaucer uses (satire, frame story)
QW #6– Social ClassQW #6– Social Class How is RHS divided into social
groups? How can you tell who is in which groups? Do people pick their groups or are they assigned in some way? Can you move from one group to another with ease or is it difficult? How do the members of each group relate to members of other groups?
How is RHS divided into social groups? How can you tell who is in which groups? Do people pick their groups or are they assigned in some way? Can you move from one group to another with ease or is it difficult? How do the members of each group relate to members of other groups?
Introduction to The Canterbury Tales
Introduction to The Canterbury Tales
Characterization Classicism Medieval social
structure Changing times Social satire
Characterization Classicism Medieval social
structure Changing times Social satire
CharacterizationCharacterization The process by which a writer
reveals the personality of a character
Can be direct or indirect Narrator can tell us Describe how looks/dresses Character’s words/actions Reveal character’s thoughts/feelings Showing how others respond to, think
about, or speak about the character
The process by which a writer reveals the personality of a character
Can be direct or indirect Narrator can tell us Describe how looks/dresses Character’s words/actions Reveal character’s thoughts/feelings Showing how others respond to, think
about, or speak about the character
ClassicismClassicism Clergy Nobility
Ruling class Aristocracy Fighting class
Peasants Middle class (not recognized) Trade class (not recognized) Peasantry class
Women (sorry, ladies)
Clergy Nobility
Ruling class Aristocracy Fighting class
Peasants Middle class (not recognized) Trade class (not recognized) Peasantry class
Women (sorry, ladies)
Rigid structureRigid structure
Attempts to move from one group to another was considered against the laws of nature and of God.
Attempts to move from one group to another was considered against the laws of nature and of God.
The Three EstatesThe Three Estates
Men were classed according to what they did Those who pray Those who fight Those who work
Men were classed according to what they did Those who pray Those who fight Those who work
Men and WomenMen and Women
Women were classed according to their relationship to men Virgin Wife Widow
Women were classed according to their relationship to men Virgin Wife Widow
Changing TimesChanging Times
Renaissance approaching Science progressing Greek literature rediscovered
Democracy Capitalism encouraged social
change Chaucer wrote “Tales” as satire
Renaissance approaching Science progressing Greek literature rediscovered
Democracy Capitalism encouraged social
change Chaucer wrote “Tales” as satire
The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales Written as “estates satire” Shows each of the three
estates and portrays the ideal members of each, as well as the problems with the social structure
Publicly exposed corruption
Written in Middle English
Written as “estates satire” Shows each of the three
estates and portrays the ideal members of each, as well as the problems with the social structure
Publicly exposed corruption
Written in Middle English
Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer
Father of English poetry Before Chaucer, serious poets would not
write in English – felt that English could not convey the nuances & complexities of serious literature
Well-known gov’t official under Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV
Father of English poetry Before Chaucer, serious poets would not
write in English – felt that English could not convey the nuances & complexities of serious literature
Well-known gov’t official under Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV
Why else is Chaucer important?
Why else is Chaucer important?
CT, similar to Italy’s Decameron, uses a frame device
Strength of spirit & personality – “In a dark, troubled age, he was a comfortable optimist, serene, full of faith.” (John Gardner)
CT, similar to Italy’s Decameron, uses a frame device
Strength of spirit & personality – “In a dark, troubled age, he was a comfortable optimist, serene, full of faith.” (John Gardner)
As we read…As we read… Keep in mind that it has been said
that Chaucer defends one true virtue…charity – the good man’s willingness to give the benefit of the doubt, to find some nobility in even the most wretched & deplorable of people . Do you believe this is true?
Keep in mind that it has been said that Chaucer defends one true virtue…charity – the good man’s willingness to give the benefit of the doubt, to find some nobility in even the most wretched & deplorable of people . Do you believe this is true?
PilgrimagePilgrimage
Religious journey made to a shrine or a holy place
Pilgrims = many stations & many stages in life
CT begins pilgrimage in spring = why symbolic?
Religious journey made to a shrine or a holy place
Pilgrims = many stations & many stages in life
CT begins pilgrimage in spring = why symbolic?
Murder of BeckettMurder of Beckett
Friend of King Henry Named Archbishop
as means to control the Church
Murdered by King’s men when he defied King’s authority
Friend of King Henry Named Archbishop
as means to control the Church
Murdered by King’s men when he defied King’s authority
Pilgrimage to CanterburyPilgrimage to Canterbury
Beckett was very popular
Quickly made a saint
Homage at his tomb
Beckett was very popular
Quickly made a saint
Homage at his tomb
“Frame” Tale“Frame” Tale
Over twenty characters traveling together to Canterbury
Inn’s Host challenges them to each tell a story on the way to Canterbury
The best story wins a free dinner Premise provides a “frame” within
which to hear the stories.
Over twenty characters traveling together to Canterbury
Inn’s Host challenges them to each tell a story on the way to Canterbury
The best story wins a free dinner Premise provides a “frame” within
which to hear the stories.
“Frame” Story“Frame” Story
Includes # of different narratives Outer story (pilgrimage) unites
traveler’s individual tales (inner stories)
Tales themselves have thematic unity
Includes # of different narratives Outer story (pilgrimage) unites
traveler’s individual tales (inner stories)
Tales themselves have thematic unity