The Canterbury Tales
Patience is a conquering virtue.
Key words
- Vernacular: the form of a language that a particular group of speakers use naturally, especially in informal situations
The Spanish I learned in school is very different from the local vernacular of this Mexican village.
- Revere: to very much respect and admire someone or something
Nelson Mandela is revered for his fight against apartheid.
- Turbulent: involving a lot of sudden changes, arguments, or violence
His book discusses the turbulent years of the civil rights struggle.
- Nefariously: in a morally bad way
Such schemes can be used nefariously to keep rivals out of a market.
- Relic: a part of the body or clothing of a saint, or something that belonged to a saint.
These bones are the relics of a 12th-century saint.
Read the article to find the answers
- When were the Canterbury Tales written?
- What was its greatest contribution to English literature?
- What political events do they mention?
- Why was Canterbury important?
The Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales are a collection of twenty-four stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387 and 1400. The tales are presented as part of a storytelling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. Storytelling was the main form of entertainment in England at the time, and storytelling contests had been held for hundreds of years.
An animated version of The Canterbury Tales was nominated for an Oscar in 1999 and won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film in addition to four Primetime Emmys.
Language
The Canterbury Tales was written mainly in a London dialect of late Middle English, which has distinct differences from modern English. It was one of the most important works in the history of English literature because it was the first major publication to use the English vernacular. Previously, all important literature in England was published in French or Latin. Today, the book is still revered as one of the most important works of English literature.
Politics
The end of the fourteenth century was a turbulent time in English history, and the Catholic Church was the subject of much controversy. The Tales mention Lollardy, an early English religious movement led by John Wycliffe, and a specific incident involving pardoners who falsely claimed to be collecting for a hospital. The book also mentions political clashes, such as the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage was a very important feature of medieval society. The ultimate pilgrimage destination was Jerusalem, but within England, Canterbury was a popular destination. Pilgrims would travel to cathedrals that held relics of saints, believing that such relics had miraculous powers. St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, had been murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by knights of Henry II during a dispute between the Church and the Crown. Soon after his death, stories of miracles began to surround his remains, and the cathedral became a popular pilgrimage site.
The Pardoner's Tale - Animated (dir. Jonathan Myerson, 1998)
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- Have you read or seen The Canterbury Tales?
- Which books are revered as the most important works of literature in your native language?
- How has the vernacular of your native language changed?
- Are there any places of pilgrimage in your country?
Book a Lesson
Improve your English language communication skills by practicing with a qualified and experienced native speaker.