Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: Structure, Themes, and Social Commentary

Literary Context and Parallels

Parallels with Boccaccio’s Decameron

• Dante and Virgil serve as inspirations for the pilgrims.
• Structure and Focus: The narrative employs a linear structure focusing on the journey and the tales told.

Critique of Medieval Society

The work functions as a profound critique of 14th-century English society.

• Characters represent people in specific professions and social strata.
• Religion is a significant theme, often presented through criticism of the Church's corruption.
• The Conflict Between Classes (The Three Estates):
  1. Those who pray: The Church (Clergy).
  2. Those who fight: The Nobles (Aristocracy).
  3. Those who work: Peasants and Commoners.

Liminality and the Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage is presented as a liminal experience: traveling between destinations while undergoing spiritual or moral transformation (becoming holier).

Narrative Structure and Setting

• The journey covers the distance between London and Canterbury.
• The narrative includes descriptions of places outside the main road of pilgrimage.

Tone and Style

• The tone ranges from plain realism to comical satire.
• Chaucer employs humor and irony, often using indirect criticism, especially towards the Church.

Key Characters and Social Commentary

The Narrator

The narrator acts as the facilitator and observer of the group.

The Pilgrims

• The Knight: The ideal medieval Christian. He is brave, prudent, and humble, admired by the people.
• The Wife of Bath: Married five times (“professional wife”). She had many affairs during her youth, is practiced in the art of love, and finds pleasure in marriage, sex, and wealth.
• The Pardoner: Excels in fraud and deceit. He represents the Church as a secular, corrupt power.
• The Miller: Frequently interrupts other people’s stories.
• The Prioress: Not the ideal person for her order. She is expensively dressed, likes luxury, and shows a lack of genuine faith.
• The Monk: Cares little about the Rule of his order. He is devoted to hunting and eating, neglecting his duties to the Church.
• The Friar: Makes profit from people through dubious means.
• The Summoner: A lecherous man, often unqualified for his position.
• The Host: The leader of the group and facilitator of the tale-telling competition.
• The Parson: A devout Churchman who lives in poverty but is rich in faith.
• The Squire: Represents the Courtly Love tradition.
• The Clerk
• The Man of Law
• The Manciple
• The Merchant
• The Shipman
• The Physician
• The Franklin: A wealthy, free landowner.
• The Reeve: Steals from his master.
• The Plowman: Good-hearted, representing the virtuous peasant class.
• The Guildsmen (Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapestry Maker)
• The Cook
• The Yeoman
• The Second Nun: An example of what a Nun should be.
• The Nun’s Priest: A witty, self-effacing preacher.

Major Themes in The Canterbury Tales

• Courtly Love
• The importance of company and fellowship.
• The corruption and hypocrisy of the Church.
• Deceit and fraud.

Symbolism and Literary Devices

• Springtime: Symbolizes rebirth and renewal.
• Clothing:
  • Defines each character's social status.
  • Reveals what lies beneath the surface of each personality.
• Physiognomy: The belief that personality is a reflection of physical appearance and anatomy.