An introduction to *The Canterbury Tales*

This course presents an opportunity to learn more about the wonderful, witty and subtle storytelling to be found in The Canterbury Tales. We will explore the complex and, in many respects, surprisingly contemporary questions posed by Chaucer’s great work, whilst at the same time increasing confidence in reading Middle English.

Course details

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Start Date
24 Jul 2022
End Date
30 Jul 2022
Application Deadline
26 Jun 2022
Location
International Summer Programme
Code
Pm29

Tutors

Dr Scott Annett

Dr Scott Annett

Affiliated Lecturer in Italian and Affiliated Lecturer in Divinity, Robinson College, University of Cambridge

This course presents an opportunity for those new to Chaucer and medieval literature to learn more about the wonderful, witty and subtle storytelling to be found in The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer’s work provides a fascinating insight into the medieval world, allowing students to explore the theological, political and cultural tensions within England (and Europe) at the time. Indeed, Chaucer’s extremely varied career as a poet, diplomat and civil servant provided him with access to medieval society in all of its diversity, whilst at the same time bringing him into contact with ground-breaking European literary works such as Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Students will enjoy exploring the complex and in many respects surprisingly contemporary, questions posed by Chaucer’s great work and throughout this course the experimental and avant-garde nature of The Canterbury Tales will be emphasized. Throughout the various Prologues and Tales, the multifaceted and nuanced voices of Chaucer’s characters combine to interrogate, challenge and explore a range of key issues. As part of this course, students will reflect upon the independence of women, the nature of chivalry, and social class (and nobility) in medieval England, as well as sex, greed and the extent to which Chaucer might be considered to be a moral (or amoral) writer.

Throughout this course, students will have an opportunity to explore the performative nature of Chaucer’s writing whilst at the same time developing their confidence in working with his original Middle English. Students are encouraged to read the texts in translation initially but discussion will refer primarily to the Middle English text and both editions should be brought to class.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

  • Develop knowledge and an understanding of medieval literature within its cultural and historical context;  
  • Show awareness of critical and theoretical approaches to literature from the period;  
  • Develop keener close reading skills, particularly when engaging with texts in medieval English;  
  • Articulate and discuss the broader concepts of the course and the relationships between the texts. 

Classes

1. Female independence and “auctoritee” (The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale)  
2. Chivalry and courtly love (The Knight’s Prologue and Tale)  
3. What does it mean to be noble? (The Clerk’s Prologue and Tale)  
4. Sex and social class (The Miller’s Prologue and Tale)  
5. Death and the root of all evil (The Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale

Required reading

The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale”, “The Knight’s  Prologue and Tale”, “The Clerk’s Prologue and Tale”, “The Miller’s Prologue and Tale”, “The Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale” in Chaucer,  Geoffrey, The Canterbury Tales, edited by Jill Mann (London: Penguin Books, 2005) 

Typical week: Monday to Friday

For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

c.8.00am-9.00am  Breakfast in College (for residents) 
9.00am-10.30am  Am Course 
11.15am-12.30pm  Plenary Lecture 
12.30pm-1.45pm  Lunch
1.45pm-3.15pm  Pm Course 
4.00pm-5.15pm  Plenary Lecture 
c.6.00/6.15pm-7.15/7.30pm Dinner in College (for residents) 
c.7.30pm onwards Evening talk/event 

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.