• History -> Middle Ages and Feudalism

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How did the storytelling techniques used in The Canterbury Tales compare to other works from the Middle Ages?

Arvel Poolman

Well, I think that The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer were definitely unique in their storytelling techniques compared to other works from the Middle Ages. Chaucer used a frame narrative, where a group of pilgrims are traveling together and each tell a story to pass the time. This allowed for a variety of different types of stories to be included, from moral tales to comic ones.

One of the most notable things about Chaucer's storytelling is his use of humor. He often made fun of the characters and their flaws, creating a satirical atmosphere that was not always typical of the serious and moralistic tales of the time. For example, the Miller's Tale is a bawdy story about a carpenter's wife and two men who try to seduce her. It's quite different from, say, the morality play Everyman, which is a cautionary tale about death and the inevitability of judgment.

Another way in which Chaucer differed from other writers of the time was in his use of vernacular language. Instead of writing in Latin, the language of the educated elite, he wrote in Middle English, making his tales accessible to a wider audience. This was a revolutionary move, as it marked a shift away from the dominance of Latin and the Church in literature.

Overall, I think that The Canterbury Tales were a significant departure from other works from the Middle Ages. Chaucer's use of humor, his eclectic mix of tales, and his use of the vernacular all made his work stand out. His influence can be seen in later works, such as Shakespeare's comedies and the picaresque novels of the 17th century.