Literature 2-12

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Welcome!

Today

At the end of the lesson you'll be able to:

• Explain who Chaucer was and why he is important in English Literature
• Explain what kind of structure the Canterbury Tales has
• And you'll know a litte bit more about the plot of the Canterbury Tales
  

Homework

•  Are there any questions you would like to discuss?
• I will put an answer sheet on Magister
  

Kahoot!

The Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales

• Geoffrey Chaucer: The father of English literature
  

• Late Middle Ages: 1380's -> Unfinished
  
• Frame narrative: story within a story
• It is about a group op pilgrims on the way from London to the Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of Thomas à Becket
• They tell each other stories
  
• Mix of all social classes
• Stories are not original, borrowed from Italian, French and English story collections.
  

A little bit more about Chaucer

• The common people were starting to stir and revolt as a result of new governmental developments and the organization of society was replacing the feudal system.
• Corruption in the church, the state and in individual lives was the frequent target of satirical writers.
• Chaucer was one of them
  
  

Satire

Human or individual shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, irony or similar methods. Ideally with the intent of bringing around improvement.
It is usually meant to be funny, but this is not Satire’s main purpose. It is more of an attack on something which the author strongly dissaproves, by using the weapon of wit.
IRONY, SARCASM, PARODY

Chaucer's satire

•  In his writing Chaucer never argues or preaches.
  
• He presents the corruption, foolishness and rascality of the men and women of his ages.
  
• He allows his readers to draw their own conclusions.
  
• His satire is softened by humour, his awareness of beauty, his rich love of life and his cosmopolitan outlook.
  
• He wrote in Middle English, not French. This showed that English was also a suitable language for literature.
  

Metrical Tale

•  A narrative poem in which a story is told as simply and realistically as possible.
  
• Theme may be literal or allegorical -> a character, a place or event is used to deliver a broader message.
  

We're going to do something different with this last story.

• We are going to do a group project for which you can earn 3 credits.
  

• As a group, read the story and think of a creative way to present this story to your classmates or do an activity with them.
  
• Presentations December 17.
  
• Today: read the story, brainstorm and make a planning.
  

Homework for next week Wednesday

•  Finish the reading questions
• Make sure you have a planning and you know what you're going to do next week.
  
• Bring everything you need for this.
  
• Tomorrow: Watching practice (if there is time, you can work on your project).