MEDIEVAL LITERATURE NOTES

Canterbury Tales

Objectives: Students will be able to.. identify historical events that changed the landscape

of England.

analyze the effects of a feudal system.

define what a pilgrimage was in the Medieval times and compare it to modern pilgrimages.

define and apply direct and indirect characterization.

analyze how details of Chaucer’s life influenced his work, Canterbury Tales.

1066 Norman Invasion

Normans invaded because William was angry that Harold was chosen to be King

“GET OFF MY THRONE!”

Norman Invasion

WILLIAM defeats Harold

Normans controlled government and suppressed nobility and remade England on their terms by instituting feudalism.

Henry II

Henry II came to the throne

Founded royal house and became one of England’s most ablest kings

Had problems with the church and appointed his friend, Thomas Becket as Bishop of Canterbury, hoping that this would lessen the tension

BFF’s

Poor Thomas Becket

Thomas Becket sided with the Pope instead of the King on an issue.

Henry’s soldiers misunderstood his wrath about this incident and killed Becket.

BFF’s

Let’s make a pilgrimage

Henry quickly condemned the crime and tried to atone for it by making a pilgrimage to Becket’s tomb.

Pilgrimages to Becket’s shrine became very common as a means of religious devotion.

Think, Pair, Share

What sort of pilgrimages do people make today?

With a partner, come up with at least five places

people make pilgrimages to and thereasons they make those journeys.

Medieval Literature

Medieval Drama: Church sponsored plays

Morality plays – depicted the lives of ordinary people

Mystery plays- retold stories from the Bible or saints

That is one great invention!

Johan Gutenberg perfected printing from movable type

Caxton set up the first printing press in England

One of Caxton’s first projects was the printing of Geoffrey Chaucer’s work.

Geoffrey Chaucer

Father was a merchant Teenage years he

entered an aristocratic household

Apprenticeship led to a career in which he served the nobility as a capable administrator

He was just below aristocracy gave him the best point to observe people

FUN FACTS: “Famous People Watcher”

Canterbury Tales

shows keen observation of people

exchange of tales among pilgrims as they journey to the shrine of martyr Thomas Becket at Canterbury

Canterbury Tales continued… Themes of love

and knightly adventure dominated

He only completed 22 of the 120 tales

Let’s compare, with a partner write down words that are familiar

When in April the sweet showers fall, And pierce the drought of March to the root, and all the veins are bathed in liquor of such power, As brings about the engendering of a flower, When also Zephyrus with his sweet breath, Exhales an air in every grove and heath

Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote, The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne engendred is the flour; Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth, Inspired hathin ever holt and heet…

Literary Terms to remember when reading Canterbury Prologue

Characterization- techniques of revealing character

Direct characterization- presents direct statements about a character, such as Chaucer’s statement that the Knight “followed chivalry,/Truth, honor”

Indirect characterization- uses actions, thoughts, and dialogue to reveal a character’s personality.

Characterize your partner!

As POLITELY as possible, let’s practice characterization!

Write down two examples of indirect characterization

and direct characterization for your partner.

Review

What historical events changed the landscape of England?

What were some effects of the feudal system?

What is a pilgrimage? Name a modern day pilgrimage.

What is direct & indirect characterization? How did Chaucer’s life influence

Canterbury Tales?