Canterbury Tales and Other Poems

Chaucer is considered by some to be the Father of English Literature, and the Canterbury Tales is his magnum opus. It is a frame story - a collection of stories contained by a larger one - written in the Middle-English about Pilgrims on a journey to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. On the way the Pilgrims are locked in a storytelling contest to pass the time. Chaucer's tales paint an ironical and critical picture of English society in the 14th century, and most of the fun is poked at the Church.

If you think that reality TV shows where one's dancing or singing skills are judged is a new phenomenon, then you'd be wrong: in 14th century England, when storytelling was the main form of entertainment, groups of singers and storytellers would do their thing and be judged by their leader - the winner would receive a crown, and in the case of the Canterbury Tales, a free meal.