The Canterbury Tales reviewed in-depth

Written in the 14th century in Middle English, Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales paved the way for great English literature. While Latin and French dominated literature through the middle ages, the English poet set a new course by writing The Canterbury Tales in English.

Chaucer’s first publication was The Book of the Duchess. He also wrote Parlement of Foules, The Legend of Good Women, and the love poem Troilus and Cressida. Here we’ll review Chaucer’s best-known work The Canterbury Tales.

What is The Canterbury Tales about?

The Canterbury Tales is a hugely significant book revolutionizing the literary landscape not just through language-choice but also because of its critical and bawdy essence. Inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron, Chaucer penned The Canterbury Tales combining multiple short stories into one book. Such is the weight of the book that it opened the door for William Shakespeare and other literary greats.

The fourteenth-century classic is a collection of 24 interconnected short stories. In the general prologue, 31 pilgrims meet at the Tabard Inn on their way to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. Host Harry Bailey challenges each pilgrim to tell two stories. Thus, they agree to become competing storytellers. After the pilgrims draw straws to determine who is to tell the first story, the knight among the pilgrims begins his tale. A string of stories unfolds, unveiling the character and boisterousness of each pilgrim. One story provokes ridicule in the next, only to add insult to the next storyteller in line. The pilgrims are a lively bunch, and Chaucer penned the radical retelling of traditional stories through each character.

The Canterbury Tales were provocative on many levels, socio-critical, sexually explicit, and dismissive of the status quo. Through the voices of the pilgrims, Chaucer casts a wry eye and spins yarn after yarn whilst taking a swipe at the clergy and beyond. With the pilgrims each holding a different position in society, they moralize and entertain all at once.

Here is a list of the short stories by each pilgrim:

• “The Knight’s Tale”
• “The Miller’s Tale”
• “The Reeve’s Tale”
• “The Cook’s Tale”
• “The Man of Law’s Tale”’
• “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”
• “The Friar’s Tale”
• “The Summoner’s Tale”
• “The Clerk’s Tale”
• “The Merchant’s Tale”
• “The Squire’s Tale”
• “The Franklin’s Tale”
• “The Second Nun’s Tale”
• “The Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale”
• “The Physician’s Tale”
• “The Pardoner’s Tale”
• “The Shipman’s Tale”
• “The Prioress’s Tale”
• “The Tale of Sir Thopas”
• “The Tale of Melibeus” (in prose)
• “The Monk’s Tale”
• “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”
• “The Manciple’s Tale”
• “The Parson’s Tale”

Today, The Canterbury Tales are still part of many high school and college curricula. To make it an easier read, different authors have translated the book. Both Peter Ackroyd’s and Nevill Coghill’s versions provide a great retelling of the tales.

The Canterbury Tales—Our book review

Born in the first half of the fourteenth century, Chaucer was the son of a London wine merchant. At Edward III’s behest, he went on diplomatic missions to France and Italy. He later married and entered politics while serving Edward III and Richard II in different capacities. The Book of the Duchess was his first book to see publication. Chaucer also wrote Parlement of Foules, The Legend of Good Women, and the love poem Troilus and Cressida. Interestingly, no record of the author exists post-1400.

Set in medieval England, Geoffrey Chaucer’s classic takes you on a fascinating journey. Each storyteller delivers a captivating tale in their own distinct voice. At times so bawdy that it makes you blush, Chaucer’s poetic masterpiece is a must-read for any literature lover.

That said, it is evident that Chaucer stopped working on the book before finishing it. While the general prologue does provide an arc for the stories, some appear devoid of a valid reference point. One might suspect that the author had intended to add other frames but never got around to it.

As for the book’s essence, Chaucer provides an unapologetic, non-judgemental look at the different pilgrims. From the inebriated Miller to the greedy Pardoner and the red-blooded Wife of Bath, the author never omits any flaws, nor does he ever pass judgment.

The original Middle English book is difficult and challenging to read. Neville Coghill’s modern English version does justice to Chaucer’s masterpiece while remaining accessible to modern readers. If this article has piqued your interest, check out the manuscript at the Morgan Library & Museum New York and all modern Canterbury Tales books on Amazon.

Listen to The Canterbury Tales on Speechify Audiobooks

You can find some of the best books in audiobook version on Speechify in English and 13 other languages. You can get your first book free when you sign up first, so why not make it The Canterbury Tales? Speechify audiobooks are accessible on all devices, and the website provides an expansive literary library.

Check out greats like the Beowulf Audiobook by the Beowulf Poet or Shakespearean classics like McBeth or King Lear. If you’re in the mood for some classic poetry, listen to Pablo Neruda’s The Captain’s Verses or Dante Alighieri’s masterpiece The Divine Comedy. 

FAQ

What is the overall message of The Canterbury Tales?

Many different themes exist, with the author exploring social status, love, desire, friendship, church corruption, writing, and competition.

What is controversial about The Canterbury Tales?

The collection of stories takes a swipe at members of the clergy, calling them out regarding corruption, hypocrisy, thievery, and abuse of power.

Is The Canterbury Tales hard to read?

The original Middle English book is a slow and complex read. Moreover, the poetic style is like no contemporary text. Reading the Coghill English language edition is child’s play and entertaining.

Who is the author of The Canterbury Tales?

Geoffrey Chaucer is the author of The Canterbury Tales.

What is the significance of Chaucer’s use of the English vernacular?

By writing The Canterbury Tales in Middle English, Chaucer broke with tradition and opened the door for other authors to do likewise.

What genre does The Canterbury Tales belong to?

The book belongs to the genre of poetry.