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 Chaucer's 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.