In the realm of English literature, few works have achieved the enduring acclaim of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. This collection of stories, told by a diverse group of characters, masterfully intertwines the highbrow with the bawdy, offering a vivid snapshot of medieval society. Among these tales is the humorous and risqué story of a Miller, a carpenter’s wife, and her scholar lover, which exemplifies the blend of humor and insight that characterizes Chaucer’s work.
The Miller’s tale is a comedic narrative involving a carpenter’s wife and her scholar lover, who concoct elaborate schemes to spend time together. Their antics include feigning madness, staging a biblical flood, and even exposing themselves in public. Adding to the chaos is a parish clerk, who serenades the wife nightly, only to be met with a cheeky surprise when she hangs her rear out the window for him to kiss. The scholar attempts a similar prank, but the clerk is ready with a red-hot poker. While this may sound like a bawdy joke, it is part of Chaucer’s esteemed work, The Canterbury Tales, which seamlessly blends the lofty and the lowly.
The Canterbury Tales consists of 24 stories, each narrated by one of Chaucer’s spirited characters. These narrators include familiar medieval figures such as a Knight, a Clerk, and a Nun, as well as less recognizable ones like a Reeve and a Manciple. Written in Middle English, the tales reflect the language used between the 12th and 15th centuries, which evolved from Old English due to increased contact with European romantic languages after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
The loquacious cast first meets at the Tabard Inn in Southwark, united by a common journey: a pilgrimage to Canterbury to visit the shrine of St. Thomas Becket, a martyred archbishop. The host of the Inn proposes a storytelling competition, with the best tale earning a dinner treat. This pilgrimage brings together characters from different social strata, reflecting the feudal system of medieval society, which divided the clergy and nobility from the working classes. By Chaucer’s time, a professional class of merchants and intellectuals had also emerged, adding to the diversity of the group.
Chaucer’s experience as a government official during the Hundred Years’ War, traveling throughout Italy, France, and England, may have influenced the panoramic vision of his work. In The Canterbury Tales, no level of society is above mockery. Chaucer uses the quirks of the characters’ language—the ribald humor of the Cook, the solemn prose of the Parson, and the lofty notions of the Squire—to satirize their worldviews. The varied dialects, genres, and literary tropes make the work a vivid record of the different ways medieval audiences entertained themselves.
The tales offer something for everyone. The Knight’s tale of courtly love, chivalry, and destiny riffs on romance, while the tales of working-class narrators are generally comedies filled with scatological language, sexual deviance, and slapstick. This variation is one reason why readers continue to delight in the work, both in Middle English and translation.
While the narrative spans over 17,000 lines, it remains unfinished. The prologue ambitiously introduces 29 pilgrims and promises four stories apiece, yet the innkeeper never crowns a victor. Perhaps Chaucer was so engrossed in his creation that he delayed picking a winner, or maybe he was too fond of each character to choose. Whatever the reason, this leaves the question of who wins up to each reader’s interpretation.
Choose a character from The Canterbury Tales and create a short monologue or dialogue that captures their personality and perspective. Perform this in front of the class or in small groups. This will help you understand the diverse voices and social commentary in Chaucer’s work.
Rewrite one of the tales in a modern setting. Consider how the characters and their stories would translate into today’s world. Share your adaptation with the class and discuss how the themes and humor of Chaucer’s time are still relevant today.
Take a passage from The Canterbury Tales in Middle English and translate it into contemporary English. Work in pairs to compare translations and discuss the challenges and nuances of the original text. This will deepen your appreciation for Chaucer’s language and literary style.
Organize a storytelling competition in the spirit of the pilgrims’ journey. Each student should prepare and tell a short story, either original or inspired by Chaucer’s tales. The class can vote on the best story, and the winner receives a small prize. This activity emphasizes the communal and competitive aspects of the original work.
Research the historical and social context of medieval England during Chaucer’s time. Create a presentation or write a report on how these factors influenced the themes and characters in The Canterbury Tales. Present your findings to the class to provide a deeper understanding of the text’s background.
Chaucer – Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet and author, best known for writing “The Canterbury Tales,” a collection of stories that paint a vivid picture of medieval society. – Chaucer’s work is often studied in literature classes to understand the development of English poetry.
Tales – Tales are stories, often of imaginative or fictitious nature, that convey moral or entertaining messages. – The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer are a series of stories told by pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury.
Literature – Literature refers to written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. – Studying literature allows students to explore different cultures and historical periods through written texts.
Medieval – Medieval pertains to the Middle Ages, a period in European history from the 5th to the late 15th century. – Medieval literature often includes themes of chivalry, romance, and religious devotion.
Characters – Characters are the individuals who participate in the action of a literary work. – The diverse characters in The Canterbury Tales each represent different aspects of medieval society.
Humor – Humor is the quality of being amusing or entertaining, often used in literature to engage readers and provide social commentary. – Chaucer’s use of humor in The Canterbury Tales highlights the follies and vices of his characters.
Pilgrimage – A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place for religious reasons, often depicted in literature as a quest for spiritual enlightenment. – The Canterbury Tales revolves around a group of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket.
Society – Society refers to a community of individuals living together and interacting within a shared culture and institutions. – Chaucer’s work provides insight into the social structure and norms of medieval society.
English – English is the language originating from England, now widely spoken around the world, and also refers to the literature produced in this language. – The development of the English language can be traced through its literature, from Chaucer to modern authors.
Narrative – A narrative is a spoken or written account of connected events; a story. – The narrative structure of The Canterbury Tales allows each character to share their own story, contributing to the overall tapestry of the work.
