The Bourgeois Social Class in Chaucers Canterbury Tales...

It is clear that Geoffrey Chaucer was acutely aware of the strict classist system in which he lived; indeed the very subject matter of his Canterbury Tales (CT) is a commentary on this system: its shortcomings and its benefits regarding English society. In fact, Chaucer is particularly adept at portraying each of his pilgrims as an example of various strata within 14th century English society. And upon first reading the CT, one might mistake Chaucers acute social awareness and insightful characterizations as accurate portrayals of British society in the late 1300s and early 1400s. Further, one might mistake his analysis, criticism, and his sardonic condemnation of many elements of British culture for genuine attempts to alter the†¦show more content†¦We cannot read the CT as an honest criticism of 14th century English society without examining the entire picture - and this picture includes Chaucers ideological contradiction. To better understand Chaucers real message - c riticizing the Three Estates system in order to encourage acceptance of his own Estate, the merchant or middle class - I will briefly discuss the Three Estates system and Chaucers role in the systems shift to include a Fourth Estate (and how this shift influenced the CT). Then I will examine four stories from the CT (The Wife of Baths Prologue, The Friars Tale, The Summoners Tale, and The Pardoners Tale) in which Chaucer seems to denounce elements of the social paradigm. I will then examine four stories from the CT (The Knights Tale, The Man of Laws Tale, The Second Nuns Tale, and The Parsons Tale) in which Chaucer contradicts his criticism of his society. Finally, I will discuss how the dominant social paradigm influenced Chaucers view of the lower classes, and how the classist structure led to ideological contradictions within the CT. Before we discuss Chaucers ideological contradictions, however, we must first examine the system he was attempting to change, the Three Estate s ystem. Although Chaucers society was in the midst of dramatic transformation regarding traditional medieval hierarchy, the social paradigm in the late 1300sShow MoreRelated Compare and contrast how the three male characters are presented to us913 Words   |  4 Pageshow the three male characters are presented to us in The Millers Tale and consider their roles in the Fabliau. The three male characters in Chaucer’s ‘The Millers Tale’ present many of the classic themes in and genre ‘Fabliau’. In English literature there is only a small amount of these tales and half of those are Chaucer’s. While in French literature there are over 300 stories. Nicholas is presented at the start of the ‘tale’ as gentle (hende) shy and therefore trusted and experienced inRead MoreEssay about Chaucers Canterbury Tales2379 Words   |  10 PagesChaucers Canterbury Tales After reading explications of Chaucers Canterbury Tales, a student is likely to come away with the impression that the Franklin is the critics favorite punching bag. To the average reader in the modern English-speaking world, the Franklin comes across as surprisingly fair-minded and level-headed, noteworthy as the man kind and inventive enough to resolve the marriage cycle with a tale of decency and openness. The critics, however, often depict the Franklin as a manRead MoreThe Comedy of Chaucers Fabliaux Essay1945 Words   |  8 PagesIn a significant number of his tales Chaucer uses the comic genre of fabliaux, which are short, typically anti-intellectual, indecent tales of bourgeois or low life. The plot usually involves an older husband who is cuckholded by a younger man whom (often) the older man has himself brought into the house, and his often younger wife. The Miller, the Reve, the Merchant and the Wife of Bath all tell tales which are essentially amoral - in fitting with the genre; tales which would not have been acceptable