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What role did The Canterbury Tales play in shaping medieval literature and storytelling?

Yvonne Lennarde

The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, played a pivotal role in the development of medieval literature and storytelling. The tales served as an important reflection of medieval society, specifically the manners, customs, and values of the time. The tales consisted of a series of stories told by a group of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury.

One of the major contributions of The Canterbury Tales was the use of the English language in literature. At the time, Latin and French were the dominant languages, but Chaucer chose to write in Middle English, which was the language of the common people. This decision helped to make literature more accessible to a wider audience, and allowed for the development of the English language as a literary language. In fact, Chaucer's work is considered a turning point in the development of the English language, and helped pave the way for future writers such as Shakespeare.

Another significant role of The Canterbury Tales was its depiction of various social classes and their interactions. The tales contained a wide range of characters from different walks of life, ranging from nobility to peasants. This allowed readers to gain a better understanding of the complexities of medieval society, and the struggles faced by people from different backgrounds. Additionally, the stories were often satirical and critical of the church and other institutions, reflecting the growing discontent with the establishment during that time.

Finally, The Canterbury Tales helped to popularize the use of storytelling in literature. The tales themselves were presented as a collection of stories told by the pilgrims, and each story had its unique style and voice. This helped to establish storytelling as an essential element of medieval literature, and paved the way for future writers to incorporate storytelling into their work. Furthermore, The Canterbury Tales inspired countless writers over the centuries, both in terms of the subject matter and the structure of their writing.

In conclusion, The Canterbury Tales served a vital role in shaping medieval literature and storytelling. Its use of the English language, depiction of social classes, and popularization of storytelling had a significant impact on the development of literature in the centuries to come. Furthermore, it remains an essential work of literature even today, serving as an enduring reflection of medieval society and its values.