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(騎士), Squire(地主，鄉(xiāng)紳), Yeoman(自耕農(nóng)), Prioress(女修道院院長), Monk(僧侶), Friar(男修士), Merchant(商人), Clerk(牧師), Man of Law(法律界人士), Franklin(小地主，鄉(xiāng)紳),Haberdasher(縫紉用品商人), Carpenter(木匠), Weaver(織工), Friar(天主教的男修士), Tapestry-Weaver(掛毯織工),

10、Cook(廚師), Shipman(船員), Physician(內(nèi)科醫(yī)生), Wife(妻子), Parson(鄉(xiāng)村牧師), Miller(廠主), Manciple(伙食委員), Reeve(長官), Summoner(召喚者，法院傳案送達(dá)員), Pardoner(賣贖罪符者).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、.當(dāng)四月的甘霖滲透了三月枯竭的根須，沐灌了絲絲莖絡(luò)，觸動(dòng)了生機(jī)，使枝當(dāng)四月的甘霖滲透了三月枯竭的根須，沐灌了絲絲莖絡(luò)，觸動(dòng)了生機(jī)，使枝頭涌現(xiàn)出花蕾，當(dāng)和風(fēng)頭涌現(xiàn)出花蕾，當(dāng)和風(fēng) 吹香，使得山林莽原遍吐著嫩條新芽，青春的太陽吹香，使得山林莽原遍吐著嫩條新芽，青春的太陽已轉(zhuǎn)過半邊白羊?qū)m座，小鳥唱起曲調(diào)，通宵睜開睡眼，是自然撥弄著它們的已轉(zhuǎn)過半邊白羊?qū)m座，小鳥唱起曲調(diào)，通宵睜開睡眼，是自然撥弄著它們的心弦：這時(shí)，人們渴想著朝拜四方名壇，游僧們也立愿跋涉異鄉(xiāng)。尤其在英心弦：這時(shí)，人們渴想著朝拜四方名壇，游僧們也立愿跋涉異鄉(xiāng)。尤其在英格蘭地方，他們從每一州的角落，向著坎特伯雷出發(fā)，去朝謝他們的救病恩格蘭地

33、方，他們從每一州的角落，向著坎特伯雷出發(fā)，去朝謝他們的救病恩主、福澤無邊的殉難圣徒。夏雨給大地帶來了喜悅，送走了土壤干裂的三月，主、福澤無邊的殉難圣徒。夏雨給大地帶來了喜悅，送走了土壤干裂的三月，沐浴著草木的絲絲經(jīng)絡(luò)，頓時(shí)百花盛開，生機(jī)勃勃。西風(fēng)輕吹留下碧藍(lán)的天沐浴著草木的絲絲經(jīng)絡(luò)，頓時(shí)百花盛開，生機(jī)勃勃。西風(fēng)輕吹留下碧藍(lán)的天空騰起一輪紅日，空騰起一輪紅日， 青春的太陽灑下萬道金輝。青春的太陽灑下萬道金輝。 小鳥的歌喉多么清脆優(yōu)美，小鳥的歌喉多么清脆優(yōu)美， 迷人的夏夜怎好安然入睡迷人的夏夜怎好安然入睡 美麗的自然撩撥萬物的心弦，美麗的自然撩撥萬物的心弦， 多情的鳥兒歌多情的鳥兒歌唱愛情的欣歡。

34、唱愛情的欣歡。 香客盼望膜拜圣徒的靈臺(tái)，香客盼望膜拜圣徒的靈臺(tái)， 僧侶立愿云游陌生的濱海。僧侶立愿云游陌生的濱海。 信徒來自全國東西南北，信徒來自全國東西南北， 眾人結(jié)伴奔向坎特伯雷，眾人結(jié)伴奔向坎特伯雷， 去朝謝醫(yī)病救世的恩主，去朝謝醫(yī)病救世的恩主， 以緬懷大恩大德的圣徒。以緬懷大恩大德的圣徒。 那是個(gè)初夏方臨的日子，那是個(gè)初夏方臨的日子， 我到泰巴旅店投宿歇我到泰巴旅店投宿歇息；息； 懷著一顆虔誠的赤子心，懷著一顆虔誠的赤子心， 我準(zhǔn)備翌日出發(fā)去朝圣。我準(zhǔn)備翌日出發(fā)去朝圣。 黃昏前后華燈初黃昏前后華燈初上時(shí)分，上時(shí)分， 旅店院里涌入很多客人；旅店院里涌入很多客人； 二十九人來自各行各業(yè)，二

35、十九人來自各行各業(yè)， 不期而遇都不期而遇都到旅店過夜。到旅店過夜。 這些香客人人虔心誠意，這些香客人人虔心誠意， 次日要騎馬去坎特伯雷。客房與馬次日要騎馬去坎特伯雷。客房與馬廄寬敞又潔凈，廄寬敞又潔凈， 店主的招待周到而殷勤。店主的招待周到而殷勤。 夕陽剛從地平線上消失，夕陽剛從地平線上消失， 眾人眾人同我已經(jīng)相互結(jié)識(shí)；同我已經(jīng)相互結(jié)識(shí)； 大家約好不等雞鳴就起床，大家約好不等雞鳴就起床， 迎著熹微晨光干燥把路上。迎著熹微晨光干燥把路上。 可是在我敘述故事之前，可是在我敘述故事之前， 讓我占用諸位一點(diǎn)時(shí)間，讓我占用諸位一點(diǎn)時(shí)間， 依我之見似乎還很必要，依我之見似乎還很必要， 把每人的情況作些介紹

36、。把每人的情況作些介紹。 談?wù)勊麄儚氖率裁葱袠I(yè)，談?wù)勊麄儚氖率裁葱袠I(yè)， 社會(huì)地位屬于哪個(gè)階層，社會(huì)地位屬于哪個(gè)階層， 容貌衣著舉止又是如何，容貌衣著舉止又是如何， 那么我就先把騎士說說。那么我就先把騎士說說。 騎士的人品出眾而且騎士的人品出眾而且高尚，高尚， 自從軍以來就馳騁于疆場，自從軍以來就馳騁于疆場， 待人彬彬有禮，大度而豪爽，待人彬彬有禮，大度而豪爽， 珍惜榮譽(yù)珍惜榮譽(yù)節(jié)操和騎士風(fēng)尚。節(jié)操和騎士風(fēng)尚。 為君主效命創(chuàng)輝煌戰(zhàn)績，為君主效命創(chuàng)輝煌戰(zhàn)績， 所到國家之遠(yuǎn)無人能比，所到國家之遠(yuǎn)無人能比， 轉(zhuǎn)戰(zhàn)轉(zhuǎn)戰(zhàn)于基督和異教之邦，于基督和異教之邦， 因功勛卓著縷縷受表彰。因功勛卓著縷縷受表彰。 他

37、攻打過亞歷山大利亞；他攻打過亞歷山大利亞； 在在普魯士慶功宴上有他，普魯士慶功宴上有他， 這位佼佼者多次坐首席；這位佼佼者多次坐首席； 從立陶宛直打到俄羅斯，從立陶宛直打到俄羅斯， 同級(jí)的騎士都大為遜色；同級(jí)的騎士都大為遜色； 攻克阿給西勒有他一個(gè)，攻克阿給西勒有他一個(gè)， 還出征到過柏爾瑪利亞；還出征到過柏爾瑪利亞； 奪取烈亞斯和薩塔利亞；奪取烈亞斯和薩塔利亞； 他還多次游弋于地中海，他還多次游弋于地中海， 跟隨登陸大軍將敵戰(zhàn)敗。跟隨登陸大軍將敵戰(zhàn)敗。 十五次比武他大顯身手，十五次比武他大顯身手， 為捍衛(wèi)信仰而浴血奮斗；為捍衛(wèi)信仰而浴血奮斗； 在戰(zhàn)場上三次殺死敵將，在戰(zhàn)場上三次殺死敵將， 高貴

38、的武士美名傳四方。高貴的武士美名傳四方。 他還侍奉過柏拉西亞國君，他還侍奉過柏拉西亞國君， 討伐另一支土耳其異討伐另一支土耳其異教軍；教軍； 沒有一次不贏得最高榮譽(yù)，沒有一次不贏得最高榮譽(yù)， 他驍勇善戰(zhàn)，聰慧而不癡愚。他驍勇善戰(zhàn)，聰慧而不癡愚。 他溫柔順?biāo)麥厝犴槒南駛€(gè)大姑娘，從像個(gè)大姑娘， 一生無論是在什么地方，一生無論是在什么地方， 對誰也沒有講過半個(gè)臟字：對誰也沒有講過半個(gè)臟字： 堪稱堪稱一個(gè)完美的真騎士。一個(gè)完美的真騎士。 他有一批俊美的千里馬，他有一批俊美的千里馬， 但是他的衣著樸實(shí)無華；但是他的衣著樸實(shí)無華； 開開價(jià)的底下是結(jié)識(shí)的布衣，價(jià)的底下是結(jié)識(shí)的布衣， 上上下下到處是斑斑污跡。

39、上上下下到處是斑斑污跡。 他風(fēng)塵仆仆剛從戰(zhàn)場他風(fēng)塵仆仆剛從戰(zhàn)場歸來，歸來， 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