General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales

by Geoffrey Chaucer

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Themes: Realism and Representation of Society

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In his preface to Fables Ancient and Modern (1700) the seventeenth century poet laureate John Dryden commented that The Canterbury Tales offers the reader “God’s plenty,” that here one finds “the various manners and humoursof the whole English nation in [Chaucer’s] age.” The “General Prologue” does indeed portray a cross-section of fourteenth century England’s middle class. Although both Chaucer and his wife belonged to court circles, none of the pilgrims come from the aristocracy, nor are any of them destitute. The picture that Chaucer presents is at least in part painted from life. The Cook who accompanies the five guildsmen bears the name, if not all the traits, of the actual victualer Hodge of Ware. The Merchant may be patterned after Gilbert Mawfield, to whom Chaucer and some of his friends owed money. The Prioress speaks French in the manner of one from Stratford-at-Bow. Near that town was the Benedictine convent of St. Leonard’s. Chaucer’s first audiences may have recognized the model for his worldly nun.

Expert Q&A

Chaucer's Prologue in The Canterbury Tales as a microcosm of fourteenth-century English society

Chaucer's Prologue in The Canterbury Tales serves as a microcosm of fourteenth-century English society by depicting a diverse group of pilgrims from various social classes and occupations. Their interactions and stories reflect the complexities, values, and issues of the time, providing insight into the social dynamics and cultural norms of medieval England.

What is Chaucer's message in the prologue to The Canterbury Tales?

In the prologue to The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer's message is to introduce a diverse group of pilgrims, each representing different aspects of Medieval society, and to set up a storytelling contest among them. While claiming to be an impartial reporter, Chaucer uses humor and satire to subtly criticize societal flaws, encouraging readers to recognize and amend their own faults.

Understanding the purpose, importance, and narrative role of the General Prologue in The Canterbury Tales

The General Prologue in The Canterbury Tales introduces the characters and sets the framework for the entire narrative. It provides context, background, and insight into each pilgrim's personality and social status, establishing the dynamics among them. This prologue is crucial as it lays the foundation for the tales that follow, highlighting the diversity of medieval society and Chaucer's commentary on it.

What is Chaucer's main reason for writing about the pilgrimage in "The Prologue"?

Chaucer's main reason for writing about the pilgrimage in "The Prologue" is to introduce the characters and the setting, while also satirizing aspects of medieval life. By describing the pilgrims and their social statuses, Chaucer critiques the corruption within the church and nobility, using irony and stereotypical characterizations to highlight moral and character flaws.

What is Chaucer's viewpoint on the social, economic, and religious institutions represented in The Canterbury Tales?

In "The Canterbury Tales," Chaucer critiques social, economic, and religious institutions through his character portrayals. He generally favors the aristocracy, as seen with the positive depictions of the Knight and the Squire. However, he is critical of the clergy, highlighting their hypocrisy and moral failings, except for the virtuous Parson. Chaucer's view of tradesmen is mixed, noting their flaws, while he admires the strong-willed Wife of Bath despite her faults.

Chaucer's critique and portrayal of religious officials and institutions in The Canterbury Tales' "General Prologue."

In "The General Prologue" of The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer critiques religious officials and institutions by highlighting their hypocrisy and corruption. Characters like the Pardoner and the Friar are depicted as greedy and morally flawed, contrasting with the ideals they are supposed to uphold. This portrayal underscores the disparity between the Church's teachings and the behavior of its representatives.

Did Chaucer support or oppose the church in the 'General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales'?

After we read "the General Prologue" to the Canterbury Tales, we might think that Geoffrey Chaucer does not have a favorable opinion of the church as an institution. He compares the friar Huberd to a "master of arts or a pope." This could suggest that the pope is "artful" or evasive and deceitful. Elsewhere, he tells of an ecclesiast who seems more concerned with the church's finances than the spiritual growth of its worshipers.

Chaucer's satirical approach in "The General Prologue" of The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer's satirical approach in "The General Prologue" of The Canterbury Tales exposes the hypocrisy and corruption within various societal classes, particularly the clergy. By using irony and humor, he critiques the moral failings and pretensions of his characters, revealing the contrast between their outward appearances and true natures.

Which character(s) in The Canterbury Tales represent the harshest critique?

In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer's harshest critique targets the Church, depicted as corrupt due to its immense wealth and influence. This is exemplified through the character of the Prioress, whose love for worldly pleasures, as indicated by her lavish lifestyle, contrasts with her expected religious devotion. Her character symbolizes Chaucer's critique of the Church's hypocrisy, portraying it as outwardly pious but inwardly corrupted by earthly desires.

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