Geoffrey Chaucer.ppt

1、Geoffrey Chaucer,1340?-1400,1. Historical background:,(1) The Hundred Years War: The result of the war was an awakening of national consciousness in England. And the French language was gradually replaced by English native tongue. (2) The peasant uprising of 1381: It was the result of the conflict b

2、etween the peasants and feudal lords.,The Three “Estates” (status),1. The nobility 2. The church 3. the large mass of commoners,Geoffrey Chaucer,Chaucer the man literary contribution The Canterbury Tales Questions on Chaucer,Geoffrey Chaucer,Life experiences Career experiences Masterpiece,father of

3、English poetry. founder of English realism. the first great poet writing in the English language.,Life experiences,son of a wine merchant to France at 19 on Hundred Years War and was captured and later ransomed. to Italy on diplomatic missions twice to be appointed as comptroller of customs in Londo

4、n to be M.P for Kent in 1386 to die in 1400, buried in Westminster Abbey, thus founding the “Poets Corner”,Career experiences,Influenced by Latin, French and Italian authors, But never a servile imitator In England. creating in his native language.“ The Canterbury Tales” (1387-1400) purely in Englis

5、h.,The prioress,The Knight,The prioress,The Wife of Bath,The Oxford Clerk,The Wife of Bath,Summoner,The Miller,Chaucer,Question on Chaucer,Why is Chaucer regarded as the first important realistic writer and the earliest English humanist?,Give a comment on The Canterbury Tales,The content: A company

6、of pilgrims a. It gives a picturesque panorama of Chaucers time and his country; b. In this poem Chaucers realism, trenchant irony and freedom of views reached a high level of power. c. The dramatic structure of the poem is highly commended; d. Chaucer wrote in the London dialect of his day. In so d

7、oing Chaucer greatly increased the prestige of the English language.,Chaucers status in literary history,(1) Messenger of Humanism Affirm mans right to pursue earthly happiness Praise mans energy, intellect, quick wit and love of life Expose and satirize the social vices, including religious abuses,

8、Present a comprehensive realistic picture of the English society Create a whole gallery of vivid characters of all ranks and occupations Explore the theme of the individuals relation to the society,(2) The first important realistic writer,Introduce the rhymed stanzas of various types to English poetry (e.g. heroic couplet) (a