english culture
by Luca Castaldo
Danill Samets
Francesco Tiziano
Ornella De falco
the medieval
narrative poem
The medieval narrative poem is a form of verse storytelling that tells stories of heroes, adventures, and legendary events.
These poems were popular in the Middle Ages and were recited to entertain audiences. Written in verse, often in forms
such as ottava rima or decasyllabic, they deal with themes such as chivalric honor, religion, and love.
Examples include the Chanson de Roland and Beowulf, which recount the exploits of heroes and battles. These poems
were not only intended to entertain, but also to convey moral and religious teachings, contributing to the preservation of
medieval culture. In short, the medieval narrative poem was a tool to educate and entertain, reflecting the values of the
age.
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geoffry chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343 – 1400) is one of the greatest medieval English writers, often called the
"father of English literature". His most famous work is The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories
told by a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. In these stories, Chaucer explores various
aspects of medieval society with lively and ironic language. Writing in Middle English, he helped
establish English as a major literary language. In addition to The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer also
wrote Troilus and Criseyde, a tragic love story, and The Book of the Duchess, a poem reflecting on
death. His works are known for their variety of styles, from satire to heroism, and for their ability
to depict vivid and complex characters. His impact on literature is long-lasting, and he continues
to be studied for his deep understanding of human nature and social dynamics..
canterbury tales
Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is a collection of tales told by a group of
pilgrims on their way to Canterbury to visit the tomb of Thomas Becket. The main tale
serves as a framework for a series of stories that the pilgrims tell along the way, each
reflecting the personality and character of the teller. The narrative framework is a
pilgrimage, and each pilgrim tells a tale as part of a challenge set by the innkeeper. The
tales vary in style and genre, from the comic and moral to the serious and tragic.
Chaucer's style is lively and varied, with a use of rhyming couplets and language that can
be ironic or allegorical, reflecting his observations of medieval society..
The pilgrims represent a wide range of social classes, each with a distinctive
personality. Some of the main ones are: the Knight (an ideal of chivalric virtue), the
Lady of Bath (an independent woman who talks about marriage),
the Pardoner (a corrupt clergyman), and the Miller (a coarse man who tells dirty
stories).
The main themes include religious corruption, social stratification,
morality (especially the theme of human meanness and vice), and relationships,
especially through the character of the Lady of Bath,
who explores the power and equality of marriage.
Chaucer uses his characters to explore the hypocrisy,
morality, and flaws of humanity..
the prioress
The Prioress in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a refined and delicate nun,
very concerned with her appearance and worldly things, such as her dog, rather
than her true religious vocation. In her tale, The Prioress's Tale, she tells the story
of a Christian child killed by Jews, a theme that reflects the anti-Semitic prejudice
of the time. Chaucer uses the character of the Prioress to criticize superficial
religiosity, highlighting how, despite having a religious role, she is more interested
in appearances than true spirituality..
Thank You
