TheCanterburyTales

1、Introduction to the writer (Geoffrey Chaucer and his literary career)Introduction to the Canterbury Tales (Background information and introduction of the 30 pilgrims)The General Prologue (The original text and translation)Analysis of the writing style, theme and the importanceAnalysisi of the Knight

2、 (Four main qualities and characteristics) Geoffrey Chaucer, the Father of the English Poetry, and one of the greastest narative poets of England, was born in London in or about the year 1340 and died in 1400. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, a place has since become konwn as the Poets Corner.Cha

3、ucers Literary Career:The works of Chaucer can be divided into three periods. (in relation to the three stages of his life)During the first period (1360-1373), Chaucer was infliuenced by the leading French poets of his day such as Guillaume de Machaut and Jean Froissart.In the second period (1372-13

4、86), Chaucer was under the influence of Italian literature. (Troilus and Criseide)The third period covers the last 15 years of Chaucers life (1386-1400). The Canterbury Tales, his most famous and critically acclaimed work was written in this period. The Canterbury Tales, as Chaucers masterpiece, inc

5、ludes a general prologue which is acclaimed to be the best part of the book, and 24 tales. In the general prologue, the poet begins his story: one day in spring, the narrator joins a group of pilgrims at the Tabard Inn, a tavern in Southwark, near London. The same destination to the shrine of the ma

6、rtyr Saint Thomas becket in Canterbury gets all these people together at the inn owned by a man called Harry Bailey. Being a hearty man, Harry the host joins the pilgrims and proposes a way to entertain one another two on the way back. The person who has provided the best tales-the host being the ju

7、dge-will receive a meal (paid by the other pilgrims) at the hosts tavern. This proposal is accepted and the pilgrims begin to draw lots to determine the order of story-telling. The Knight is the first story-teller. And the rest of the book turns out to be an assembly of various types of tales, with

8、a retraction of the author at the end of it. There are romances, vulgar stories, legends of saints, fables and sermons, etc. Chaucer ends his book with a retraction in which he asks the readers to thank Jesus Christ for anything pleasing in the book, and to ascribe the fault to the author for anythi

9、ng displeasing in it.The 30 pilgrims are people from all works of life: Knight(骑士), Squire(地主，乡绅), Yeoman(自耕农), Prioress(女修道院院长), Monk(僧侣), Friar(男修士), Merchant(商人), Clerk(牧师), Man of Law(法律界人士), Franklin(小地主，乡绅),Haberdasher(缝纫用品商人), Carpenter(木匠), Weaver(织工), Friar(天主教的男修士), Tapestry-Weaver(挂毯织工),

10、Cook(厨师), Shipman(船员), Physician(内科医生), Wife(妻子), Parson(乡村牧师), Miller(厂主), Manciple(伙食委员), Reeve(长官), Summoner(召唤者，法院传案送达员), Pardoner(卖赎罪符者).1: Whan that aprill with his shoures soote 2: The droghte of march hath perced to the roote, 3: And bathed every veyne in swich licour 4: Of which vertu engen

11、dred is the flour; 5: Whan zephirus eek with his sweete breeth 6: Inspired hath in every holt and heeth 7: Tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne 8: Hath in the ram his halve cours yronne, 9: And smale foweles maken melodye, 10: That slepen al the nyght with open ye 11: (so priketh hem nature in hir co

12、rages); 12: Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages, When in April the sweet showers fallAnd pierce the drought of March to the root, and all The veins are bathed in liquor with such power As brings about the engendering of the flower; When also Zephyrus with his sweet breath, Exhales an air in ev

13、ery grove and heath, Upon the tender shoots and the young sun His half-course in the sign of the Ram has run, And the small fowl are making melody That sleep away the night with open eye (So Nature pricks them and their heart engages)Then people long to go on pilgrimages, 13: And palmeres for to sek

14、en straunge strondes, 14: To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; 15: And specially from every shires ende 16: Of engelond to caunterbury they wende, 17: The hooly blisful martir for to seke, 18: That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke.19: Bifil that in that seson on a day, 20: In southwerk

15、 at the tabard as I lay 21: Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage 22: To caunterbury with ful devout corage, 23: At nyght was come into that hostelrye 24: Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye, 25: Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle 26: In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle, And palmers long to seek

16、the strange strands, Of far-off saints hallowed in sundry lands. And specially from every shires end Of England, down to Canterbury they wend, To seek the holy blissful martyr quick To give his help to them when they were sick It happened in that season that one day In Southwark, at the Tabard, as I

17、 lay Ready to go on pilgrimages and start For Canterbury, most devout at heart, At night there came into that hostelry Some nine and twenty in a company Of sundry folk happening then to fall In fellowship, and they were pilgrims all 27: That toward caunterbury wolden ryde. 28: The chambres and the s

18、tables weren wyde, 29: And wel we weren esed atte beste. 30: And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste, 31: So hadde I spoken with hem everichon 32: That I was of hir felaweshipe anon, 33: And made forward erly for to ryse, 34: To take oure wey ther as I yow devyse.35: But nathelees, whil I have tyme

19、 and space, 36: Er that I ferther in this tale pace, 37: Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun 38: To telle yow al the condicioun That towards Canterbury meant to ride. The rooms and stables of the inn were wide, They made us easy, all was of the best. And, briefly, when the sun had gone to rest, Id sp

20、oken to them all upon the trip And was soon one with them in fellowship,Pledged to rise early and to take the way To Canterbury, as you heard me say.But none the less, while I have time and space, Before my story takes a further pace, It seems a reasonable thing to say What their condition was, the

21、full array39: Of ech of hem, so as it semed me, 40: And whiche they weren, and of what degree, 41: And eek in what array that they were inne; 42: And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne.43: A knyght ther was, and that a worthy man, 44: That fro the tyme that he first bigan 45: To riden out, he love

22、d chivalrie, 46: Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie. 47: Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre, 48: And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre, 49: As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse, 50: And evere honoured for his worthynesse. Of each of them, as it appeared to me, According to profession and

23、 degree, And what apparel, they were riding in; And at a knight I therefore will begin. The Knights Portrait There was a Knight, a most distinguished man, Who from the day on which he first began To ride abroad had followed chivalry, Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy. He has done nobly in his

24、sovereigns war, And ridden into battle, none more farAs well in Christendom as in heathen places, And ever honoured for his noble graces. 51: At alisaundre he was whan it was wonne. 52: Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne 53: Aboven alle nacions in pruce; 54: In lettow hadde he reysed and in ruc

25、e, 55: No cristen man so ofte of his degree. 56: In gernade at the seege eek hadde he be 57: Of algezir, and riden in belmarye. 58: At lyeys was he and at satalye, 59: Whan they were wonne; and in the grete see 60: At many a noble armee hadde he be. 61: At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene, 62:

26、 And foughten for oure feith at tramyssene 63: In lystes thries, and ay slayn his foo. When we took Alexandria, he was there.He often sat at table in the chair of honour, above all nations, when in Prussia. In Latvia he had ridden, and Russia, No Christian man so often, of his degree. In far Granada

27、 at the siege was he Of Algeciras, and in Benamarln. At Ayas and Attalia was he when they were won; and in the Mediterranean Sea He had been with many a noble army. In fifteen mortal battles he had been And fought for our faith at TlemcenThree times in the lists, and always killed his foe. 64: This

28、ilke worthy knyght hadde been also 65: Somtyme with the lord of palatye 66: Agayn another hethen in turkye. 67: And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys; 68: And though that he were worthy, he was wys, 69: And of his port as meeke as is a mayde. 70: He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde 71: In al his ly

29、f unto no maner wight. 72: He was a verray, parfit gentil knyght. 73: But, for to tellen yow of his array, 74: His hors were goode, but he was nat gay. 75: Of fustian he wered a gypon 76: Al bismotered with his habergeon, 77: For he was late ycome from his viage, 78: And wente for to doon his pilgry

30、mage.This same distinguished knight had been also At one time with the lord of Palatia Against another heathen in Turkey: He was of sovereign value in all eyes. And though so distinguished, he was wise And in his bearing modest as a maid. He never yet a boorish thing had said, In all his life to any

31、, come what might; He was a truly perfect gentle-knight. Speaking of his equipment, he possessed Fine horses, but he was not gaily dressed. He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark With smudges where his armour had left mark; He had just come back from his voyage And now was going on this pilgrimage

32、.当四月的甘霖渗透了三月枯竭的根须，沐灌了丝丝茎络，触动了生机，使枝当四月的甘霖渗透了三月枯竭的根须，沐灌了丝丝茎络，触动了生机，使枝头涌现出花蕾，当和风头涌现出花蕾，当和风 吹香，使得山林莽原遍吐着嫩条新芽，青春的太阳吹香，使得山林莽原遍吐着嫩条新芽，青春的太阳已转过半边白羊宫座，小鸟唱起曲调，通宵睁开睡眼，是自然拨弄着它们的已转过半边白羊宫座，小鸟唱起曲调，通宵睁开睡眼，是自然拨弄着它们的心弦：这时，人们渴想着朝拜四方名坛，游僧们也立愿跋涉异乡。尤其在英心弦：这时，人们渴想着朝拜四方名坛，游僧们也立愿跋涉异乡。尤其在英格兰地方，他们从每一州的角落，向着坎特伯雷出发，去朝谢他们的救病恩格兰地

33、方，他们从每一州的角落，向着坎特伯雷出发，去朝谢他们的救病恩主、福泽无边的殉难圣徒。夏雨给大地带来了喜悦，送走了土壤干裂的三月，主、福泽无边的殉难圣徒。夏雨给大地带来了喜悦，送走了土壤干裂的三月，沐浴着草木的丝丝经络，顿时百花盛开，生机勃勃。西风轻吹留下碧蓝的天沐浴着草木的丝丝经络，顿时百花盛开，生机勃勃。西风轻吹留下碧蓝的天空腾起一轮红日，空腾起一轮红日， 青春的太阳洒下万道金辉。青春的太阳洒下万道金辉。 小鸟的歌喉多么清脆优美，小鸟的歌喉多么清脆优美， 迷人的夏夜怎好安然入睡迷人的夏夜怎好安然入睡 美丽的自然撩拨万物的心弦，美丽的自然撩拨万物的心弦， 多情的鸟儿歌多情的鸟儿歌唱爱情的欣欢。

34、唱爱情的欣欢。 香客盼望膜拜圣徒的灵台，香客盼望膜拜圣徒的灵台， 僧侣立愿云游陌生的滨海。僧侣立愿云游陌生的滨海。 信徒来自全国东西南北，信徒来自全国东西南北， 众人结伴奔向坎特伯雷，众人结伴奔向坎特伯雷， 去朝谢医病救世的恩主，去朝谢医病救世的恩主， 以缅怀大恩大德的圣徒。以缅怀大恩大德的圣徒。 那是个初夏方临的日子，那是个初夏方临的日子， 我到泰巴旅店投宿歇我到泰巴旅店投宿歇息；息； 怀着一颗虔诚的赤子心，怀着一颗虔诚的赤子心， 我准备翌日出发去朝圣。我准备翌日出发去朝圣。 黄昏前后华灯初黄昏前后华灯初上时分，上时分， 旅店院里涌入很多客人；旅店院里涌入很多客人； 二十九人来自各行各业，二

35、十九人来自各行各业， 不期而遇都不期而遇都到旅店过夜。到旅店过夜。 这些香客人人虔心诚意，这些香客人人虔心诚意， 次日要骑马去坎特伯雷。客房与马次日要骑马去坎特伯雷。客房与马厩宽敞又洁净，厩宽敞又洁净， 店主的招待周到而殷勤。店主的招待周到而殷勤。 夕阳刚从地平线上消失，夕阳刚从地平线上消失， 众人众人同我已经相互结识；同我已经相互结识； 大家约好不等鸡鸣就起床，大家约好不等鸡鸣就起床， 迎着熹微晨光干燥把路上。迎着熹微晨光干燥把路上。 可是在我叙述故事之前，可是在我叙述故事之前， 让我占用诸位一点时间，让我占用诸位一点时间， 依我之见似乎还很必要，依我之见似乎还很必要， 把每人的情况作些介绍

36、。把每人的情况作些介绍。 谈谈他们从事什么行业，谈谈他们从事什么行业， 社会地位属于哪个阶层，社会地位属于哪个阶层， 容貌衣着举止又是如何，容貌衣着举止又是如何， 那么我就先把骑士说说。那么我就先把骑士说说。 骑士的人品出众而且骑士的人品出众而且高尚，高尚， 自从军以来就驰骋于疆场，自从军以来就驰骋于疆场， 待人彬彬有礼，大度而豪爽，待人彬彬有礼，大度而豪爽， 珍惜荣誉珍惜荣誉节操和骑士风尚。节操和骑士风尚。 为君主效命创辉煌战绩，为君主效命创辉煌战绩， 所到国家之远无人能比，所到国家之远无人能比， 转战转战于基督和异教之邦，于基督和异教之邦， 因功勋卓著缕缕受表彰。因功勋卓著缕缕受表彰。 他

37、攻打过亚历山大利亚；他攻打过亚历山大利亚； 在在普鲁士庆功宴上有他，普鲁士庆功宴上有他， 这位佼佼者多次坐首席；这位佼佼者多次坐首席； 从立陶宛直打到俄罗斯，从立陶宛直打到俄罗斯， 同级的骑士都大为逊色；同级的骑士都大为逊色； 攻克阿给西勒有他一个，攻克阿给西勒有他一个， 还出征到过柏尔玛利亚；还出征到过柏尔玛利亚； 夺取烈亚斯和萨塔利亚；夺取烈亚斯和萨塔利亚； 他还多次游弋于地中海，他还多次游弋于地中海， 跟随登陆大军将敌战败。跟随登陆大军将敌战败。 十五次比武他大显身手，十五次比武他大显身手， 为捍卫信仰而浴血奋斗；为捍卫信仰而浴血奋斗； 在战场上三次杀死敌将，在战场上三次杀死敌将， 高贵

38、的武士美名传四方。高贵的武士美名传四方。 他还侍奉过柏拉西亚国君，他还侍奉过柏拉西亚国君， 讨伐另一支土耳其异讨伐另一支土耳其异教军；教军； 没有一次不赢得最高荣誉，没有一次不赢得最高荣誉， 他骁勇善战，聪慧而不痴愚。他骁勇善战，聪慧而不痴愚。 他温柔顺他温柔顺从像个大姑娘，从像个大姑娘， 一生无论是在什么地方，一生无论是在什么地方， 对谁也没有讲过半个脏字：对谁也没有讲过半个脏字： 堪称堪称一个完美的真骑士。一个完美的真骑士。 他有一批俊美的千里马，他有一批俊美的千里马， 但是他的衣着朴实无华；但是他的衣着朴实无华； 开开价的底下是结识的布衣，价的底下是结识的布衣， 上上下下到处是斑斑污迹。

39、上上下下到处是斑斑污迹。 他风尘仆仆刚从战场他风尘仆仆刚从战场归来，归来， 片刻未休息就急忙去朝拜。片刻未休息就急忙去朝拜。Lively and vivid in Middle-Age EnglishSatiric and humorousHeroic couplet Chaucer affirmed mans right to pursue earthly happiness and opposed asceticism, praised mans energy, intellect, and love of life. Meanwhile, he also exposed and sati

40、rized the social evils, esp the religious abuses.Four main qualities of the Knight:1. The Knights love of ideals.chivalrie (prowess) “trouthe” (fidelity) “honour” (reputation) “freedom” (generosity) “curteisie” (refinement) (General Prologue 45-46)2. The Knights impressive military career.3. The Kni

41、ghts meek, gentle mannar.4. The Knights “array”.Characteristics of the Knight The Knight was a distinguished man who had chivalry. He has taken part in the so-called sovereigns war, fighting for faith in so many nations, killing his foe. However, he had a good mannar who seems a perfect gentle knigh

42、t. Also, his dress was a bit simple even not so clear. All in all, the Knight was brave and aggressive in the battles but modest in life in a way.It is Chaucers masterpiece and one of the most famous works in English literature even in all literatures, perhaps the greatest work produced in Middle English. Besides, it is one of the first to be written in English language.It gives us a true-to-life picture of his time. The work stands as a historical and sociological introduction to the life and times of the late