THE CANTERBURY TALES AND OTHER POEMS

Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet philosopher and bureaucrat who lived during the 14th century. He served as a courtier and diplomat which exposed him to various cultures and languages influencing his writing style and literary interests. The Canterbury Tales is a framed narrative meaning it consists of a series of stories told by a group of pilgrims traveling together to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. Each pilgrim tells a tale and Chaucer skillfully presents a wide range of characters and narratives reflecting the diversity of medieval English society. The tales cover various genres such as romance comedy tragedy and moral allegory showcasing Chaucers versatility as a writer. The work remains incomplete as Chaucer intended to include 120 stories but only completed around 24 before his death. Nonetheless The Canterbury Tales has had a profound impact on English literature and has been an essential text for the study of Middle English and the evolution of the English language.