Geoffrey Chaucer is known for ribald tales and sly senses of humor, but his major work, The Canterbury Tales, is also a source of exquisite detail about English society towards the end of the 14th century. Told by a variety of pilgrims, including the Knight, the Squire, the Nun’s Priest, the Monk, a Haberdasher, the Cook, the Summoner and Chaucer himself—all have backgrounds to illuminate, and the course will try its best to do so!
Suggested Reading: Internet passages from the The Canterbury Tales’ prologue. Reading links provided in advance by the instructor via email.