The Canterbury Tales | Review + Comparison
The Canterbury Tales 1386–1395, England
The book “The
Canterbury Tales” is a narrative collection of 24 tales (22 poems along
with 2 proses) which is considered as the first written work of English
Literature, written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer.At first it was
planned as 120 tales but after 24 stories it ends. In the book there are 27 pilgrims traveling to the shrine of the
martyr Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury , like the narrator.
Each day , one of them tells a tale
to entertain themselves while their journey .Pilgrims are described in
the prologue - Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Prioress, Monk, Friar,
Merchant, Clerk, Man of Law, Franklin, Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer,
Tapestry-Weaver, Cook, Shipman, Physician, Wife, Parson, Plowman, Miller,
Manciple, Reeve, Summoner, Pardoner, and Host-.There is a main tale of the
journey and various others within; The Knight’s tale ,The Miller’s tale,The
wife of baths tale ,the pardoners tale and the nuns priests tale.
The book consists parodies,romance and fablius.Also , it
can be considered as a satirical work.It’s language is elevated,pious and satirical.Some of the dialogues are
written in old dialect.It is written for the mass (aacessable to everyone ) and collected by Chaucer. He wrote the book in English , even tough the
language which was spoken that time was Latin and French.It is simple so it can
be read in its original language still today.
The narrator – Chaucer
The Knight -
He is the first pilgrim (first story teller )
Chaucer describes in the Prologue . Chaucer describes him as the ideal Christian man. (My
favorite)
Squire, Yeoman,
Prioress, Monk, Friar, Merchant, Clerk, Man of Law, Franklin, Haberdasher,
Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapestry-Weaver, Cook, Shipman, Physician, Wife,
Parson, Plowman, Miller, Manciple, Reeve, Summoner, Pardoner, and Host.
Chaucer’s work can be seen as sexually rude and
vulgar,especially when one considers that the overall theme is one of Christian
homage.
In his work ,Chaucer’s message is clear that every sin
will be punished by the God.In the book Chaucer was documenting* the human
condition of his historical age .
themes Omnipresence courtly love, the
importance of company, the corruption of the church
motifs · Romance, fabliu
About ; The Canterbury Tales , Decameron and Thousand and One Nights
Both , The Canterbury Tales and Decameron, are 14th
century works.All of the three works consists stories/tales.They all use morality cleverly and criticize the
time.They all have certain messages and written for both entertaining and
giving lessons to the mass.They all opens a window to their times ; having
symbols,figures,writing styles,themes of their times(Medieval Period) . In The
Canterbury Tales and Decameron there are multiple stories told by multiple
people which allows the reader to experience different perspectives and
opinions.All of the three work has female figures.The Canterbury Tales and
Decameron revolve around people trying to pass the time while their
journey.Both criticize with humorous way .
The Reeve’s Tale in The Canterbury Tales and the 6th
story of the 9th day in Decameron has similarities in their
plots.They have similar characters ; Miller and Poor man ( he is like a
Innkeeper) , Wifes getting confused , beautiful daughters , babies …
In the 6th story of the 9th
day there is a poor man which welcomes travelers in his home.Her daughter
Niccolosa and a youngman called Pinnuccio fall in love.Pinnucio gets his friend
Adriano with him and goes to the poor man’s house as if they are travelers.In
tiny house of the poor man , they all share one room.At night some unfortunate
confusions happens but with the intelligence of
Pinnucio they manage to handle the situation while having a good night
with the woman of the house.In the Reeve’s Tale
a similar event happens.
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