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English Literature I

English Literature I. Ann Lewis September 19, 2006. Today’s “Agenda”. Historical context Chaucer “Character Sketches” – group response The Miller and his tale. Historical Context – 14 th century. Chaucer’s Life ca. 1340 to ca.1400 KINGS Edward II (1307-27) Edward III (1327-77)

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English Literature I

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  1. English Literature I Ann Lewis September 19, 2006

  2. Today’s “Agenda” • Historical context • Chaucer • “Character Sketches” – group response • The Miller and his tale

  3. Historical Context – 14th century • Chaucer’s Life ca. 1340 to ca.1400 KINGS • Edward II (1307-27) • Edward III (1327-77) • Richard II (1377-99)

  4. Black Death – around 1348-9 ravaged England, wiping out 30 to 50% of population. Consequently labor force increased leverage Led to resentment from nobles and propertied class 1381 – Peasants revolt “Tough” Times

  5. Geoffrey Chaucer

  6. Chaucer’s Life • Only son of property-owning wine merchant • Father became tremendously wealthy when he inherited the property of relatives who had died in the Black Death of 1349. • Was sent as page to Countess of Ulster. • Served Prince Lionel (Countess’s husband and son of King Edward III. • Served in Hundred years War between England and France –soldier and diplomat. • Spoke French, Italian, Latin ++ others

  7. Chaucer’s “Literary” Life • In or around 1378, began to develop his “vision” of an English poetry that would be linguistically accessible to all. • Wrote in the vernacular – not French or Latin. • Influenced by writings of Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio.

  8. Rewards – Reciprocity????? • Kings impressed with Chaucer’s skills as negotiator – he was given money, provisions, higher appointments, property. • Appointed Controller of the Customs of Hides, Skins and Wools. • Lived at Aldgate.

  9. Historical Context:Thomas Beckett Archbishop under Henry II. Henry had to submit to the Pope, and throughout the Middle Ages the clergy—and anybody who could read Latin might claim to be a clerk—could commit the gravest crimes with no worse punishment than reduction to the level of laymen. Opposed king’s attempt to bring clergy who had been convicted of crime in the church courts before the king’s course for sentence. As a result, Beckett was murdered in his cathedral and became a martyr.

  10. Beckett cont’d

  11. The General Prologue • The Route • Character Sketches

  12. London to Rochester

  13. Rochester to Canterbury

  14. Who are they? Connection between characters and tales? Characters

  15. “The Miller’s Tale”? • Your first impressions? • The plot and social implications

  16. Future Reading • “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue” • “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”

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