The Importance Of Life In Gregory Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

Life in fourteenth century England was vividly illustrated through the Canterbury Tales almost more accurately than any other history of that time period. Gregory Chaucer, the author of the Canterbury Tales, gives the reader a profound insight into the life of the fourteenth century people in England through direct and indirect characterization. Chaucer effectively reveals the character's thoughts, words, and action through the use of his "Prologue" to the Canterbury Tales. His work shows his many artistic qualities of storytelling, making him the second greatest poet in English history. Through Chaucer’s “Prologue” there is insight into life through the pilgrims in the fourteenth century England, most especially in the courts, the common people, and the Church. Chaucer reveals human insight through the characters he uses from the court system in the “Prologue” to the Canterbury Tales. The Knight, one of the few idealized characters, admired from the court system, shows a great deal of dignity and honor through his epic battle career and his elaborate array. Described as full of “truth, honor, generousness and courtesy,” (46) Chaucer reveals how England admired those of the court to be humble and polite. Through the Knight’s appearance of his blood stained tunic from his last battle the reader sees how he was loyal to his court and his …show more content…
Thus, through Chaucer’s hallmarks of his writing, understanding of life in the fourteenth century England is shown in the courts, the common people, and the Church. The use of characters in this certain time period makes it easier for a reader to understand how life would have been. Chaucer’s writing of his characters makes them stand out as if their were alive and real people during this time period and whose character values are