Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) was an English poet and writer, widely regarded as one of the greatest poets in the English language. He is best known for his epic work "The Canterbury Tales," a collection of stories told by pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Chaucer was born into a family of wealthy merchants in London and was well-educated in several languages, including French and Italian. He worked as a civil servant and diplomat for much of his life, holding various positions in the court of King Edward III and later in the household of John of Gaunt. Chaucer began writing poetry in the 1360s, and his early works include "The Book of the Duchess" and "The House of Fame." However, it was "The Canterbury Tales" that cemented his reputation as a literary giant. The work, which was never completed, contains stories of all kinds, from bawdy jokes to poignant tragedies, and is notable for its vivid characterizations and its commentary on social and religious issues of the time. Chaucer's influence on English literature cannot be overstated. His works helped to establish English as a literary language in its own right, and his style and themes were emulated by countless writers in the centuries that followed.
Introduction
What are The Canterbury Tales?
Chaucer's language
The Nun's Priest's contribution
Text and notes: The Nun's Priest's prologue
The Nun's Priest's tale
The Nun's Priest's epilogue
The Prioress, Madame Eglentine
The Nun's Priest
Chaucer's pilgrims
Pilgrims and pilgrimages
Geoffrey Chaucer
The tale told by the Nun's Priest
The power of the Church
Peasants and the life of Chaucer's widow
Styles of writing
Questions and themes
Glossary of frequently used words
