First published 1400
A diverse company of medieval pilgrims gathers at the Tabard Inn before setting out for Canterbury Cathedral. The group includes a battle-tested Knight, a robust Miller, a worldly Monk, and the bold Wife of Bath, among others representing every level of society. To pass the time on their journey, the Host proposes a storytelling contest. Each pilgrim must tell a tale, and the stories they share reveal as much about the tellers as their subjects. The Knight offers chivalric romance, while the Miller counters with bawdy comedy. Others contribute beast fables, moral parables, and exotic adventures. As the pilgrims travel the dusty road, their stories create a tapestry of human nature. The tales expose the pilgrims' desires, fears, and contradictions. Through comedy and tragedy alike, Chaucer captures the full spectrum of medieval life and the enduring complexities of human character.
517 pages · Paperback · Oxford University Press