Understanding the Context of The Canterbury Tales

📚The Roman Catholic Church and its corruption were significant factors in Chaucer's day.

👩‍🌾The social structure of the late Middle Ages included clergy, nobles, peasants, and an emerging middle class.

🙍‍♀️Attitudes toward women in the Middle Ages were influenced by church teachings and societal expectations.

👥The audience for The Canterbury Tales was limited, and Chaucer may have initially shared his tales orally.

📖The popularity of The Canterbury Tales grew after Chaucer's death, with many copies being produced.

What was the role of the church in Chaucer's day?

—The Roman Catholic Church was the dominant religious authority in Europe, but corruption was widespread and calls for reform were growing.

What was the social structure in the late Middle Ages?

—The social structure included clergy, nobles, peasants, and an emerging middle class that did not fit into the traditional three-estate system.

How were women viewed in the Middle Ages?

—Church teachings and societal expectations shaped attitudes toward women, with the Virgin Mary as the image of female perfection and Eve as the bringer of sin.

Who was Chaucer's audience?

—Chaucer's audience was initially limited, likely consisting of fellow civil servants and scholars. Written English was not widely accepted at the time.

How popular were The Canterbury Tales?

—The popularity of The Canterbury Tales grew after Chaucer's death, with around a hundred copies being produced.

00:09The video emphasizes the importance of understanding the context of The Canterbury Tales.

00:17The Roman Catholic Church was influential and corrupt in Chaucer's time, leading to calls for reform.

00:31The late Middle Ages had a social structure consisting of clergy, nobles, peasants, and an emerging middle class.

01:36The role of women in The Canterbury Tales was influenced by church teachings and societal expectations.

02:21Chaucer's audience was initially limited, but his tales gained popularity after his death.