The Canterbury Tales Summary

Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" is a collection of stories told by a diverse group of pilgrims journeying to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The work opens with a General Prologue, introducing the pilgrims and their plan to tell stories to pass the time on their journey, with the Host acting as a judge for the best tale. The tales vary widely in genre and theme, including chivalric romances, fabliaux, moral allegories, and saints' lives, reflecting the complexity of medieval society. Notable tales include "The Knight's Tale," a chivalric romance; "The Miller's Tale," a bawdy fabliau; "The Wife of Bath's Tale," which explores issues of female sovereignty; and "The Pardoner's Tale," a moral story about greed. Chaucer uses the tales and their tellers to provide a vivid cross-section of 14th-century English society, blending humor, pathos, and satire. "The Canterbury Tales" is celebrated for its rich characterization, varied storytelling, and insight into human nature and social issues.