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A group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral compete in a storytelling contest in The Canterbury Tales. This overall plot, or framing, gives the pilgrims a cause to relate their stories, which reflect the anxieties sparked by late medieval England’s social upheavals. The General Prologue establishes the context for these societal tensions by introducing a diverse range of pilgrims from various socioeconomic levels. When the Host announces a storytelling contest and declares the greatest storyteller would receive a free tavern dinner, he sets the storyline in motion because the contest both gives the pilgrims a purpose to tell stories and puts them in competition with one another.
The Knight, who speaks first in accordance with his station, firmly grounds his story in rigorous courtly standards. The Miller, on the other hand, insists on going first, upsetting the order. His raunchy story about infidelity contrasts dramatically with “The Knight’s Tale’s” courtly love. The Reeve responds to a slight in “The Miller’s Tale,” underlining that social status no longer influences the order of the tales. Also, you must try to play The Canterbury Tales Quiz.
The Canterbury Tales Quiz
The ensuing stories frequently respond to one other thematically, generating discussions concerning Middle Ages social concerns. Several stories highlight issues surrounding women’s shifting responsibilities, notably in marriage. “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” ignites this battle by subverting courtly standards and argues for female independence through courtly romance. “The Clerk’s Tale” seeks to dispute the Wife’s narrative, claiming that marriage is most happy when the wife is obedient. Franklin advocates for a happy medium. He paints a picture of a dedicated young couple who share power in their marriage.
Other stories in this middle portion explore issues surrounding the church’s role in public life, particularly in light of the institution’s widespread corruption. The Friar narrates the account of a corrupt summoner, whereas the Summoner tells the story of a friar who, while attempting to defraud parishioners of their money, is himself defrauded. Their stories explore the issue of corrupt church leaders misusing their positions for financial gain, as well as the conflicts between various religious vocations. The hypocrisy displayed by the majority of the higher-ranked clerical personalities raises concerns about the genuineness of church leaders and their significant roles in the community.
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Finally, The Canterbury Tales ends with no meaningful resolution to the numerous tensions it presents, as well as no conclusion to the storytelling competition. The final story is delivered by the Parson, a loving and honest religious leader who, rather than telling a story, preaches repentance to the pilgrims in order for them to remain in good standing with God. Following “The Parson’s Tale,” Chaucer writes numerous paragraphs apologizing for any parts of The Canterbury Tales that upset severe church morals and retracting any sexual or violent elements that offended rigid church morality.
Because Chaucer keeps a sardonic tone throughout, it’s impossible to discern whether “The Parson’s Tale” and his later Retraction are meant to be taken seriously or as a satire of religious acts. Nonetheless, the fact that The Canterbury Tales concludes with a call for individual repentance of wrongdoing implies that there is no social resolution to the tensions portrayed in the tales. Rather, as Chaucer says in his own Retraction, people must navigate the difficulties of class, gender, and religion on their own, finally selecting their own courses of conduct.
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