This paper analyzes Chaucer's humour in "The Canterbury Tales". The analysis focuses on six tales, exploring different forms of humour and their societal implications, showcasing Chaucer's unique style and critique.
The paper will start by exploring humour at Chaucer’s time as well as Chaucer and his humour in general. After this, a theory by the professor of English Luis Alberto Lázaro Lafuente about Chaucer’s timelessness and especially modernity will be taken into account. In the last part of the Background and Theory Chapter, the most relevant concepts, so forms of humour that are most prominent in Chaucer’s work, and the concept of fable, will be defined. The analysis part will examine six tales that stick out concerning to their scope and variety of humour. First, the miller’s use of dark humour will be focused to then go on to examine how the reeve revenges the miller for that. Then, some prototypical Chaucerian elements of humour in The Canterbury Tales will be investigated to get an understanding of Chaucer’s style and individuality. After this, Chaucer’s critique on humour in The Canterbury Tales will be taken into account. Finally, this paper will arrive at a conclusion, which considers the research question and thesis again, as well as options for further research.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Background / Theory Chapter
2.1 Humour at Chaucer’s Time/Chaucer and his Humour
2.2 Defining some concepts of humour and the concept of fable
3. Analysis
3.1 The Miller’s Use of Dark Humour in The Canterbury Tales
3.2 The Reeve’s Humouristic Revenge on the Miller
3.3 Prototypical Chaucerian Elements of Humour in The Canterbury Tales
3.4 Chaucer’s Critique on Humour in The Canterbury Tales
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to explore how Geoffrey Chaucer utilizes various narrative techniques in The Canterbury Tales to convey humor and how these techniques reflect both his personal style and the societal conventions of the Middle English period. By analyzing selected tales, the research investigates the levels and fields of humor employed, arguing that the wide scope of these humorous expressions demonstrates Chaucer's timeless relevance and individualistic approach to literature.
- Analysis of humor within the context of Middle English period conventions.
- Examination of Chaucer's timelessness and links to modernist literary features.
- Exploration of specific forms of humor, including fabliau, satire, irony, and meta-humor.
- Investigation of character-driven humor and the function of narrative revenge in the tales.
- Assessment of the role of individual reception and reader interpretation in humor.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 The Miller’s Use of Dark Humour in The Canterbury Tales
Having defined the relevant kinds of humour and the concept of fable, it is now the task to look more closely at specific instances of these kinds of humour in the six aforementioned tales and their meaning for the context of humour. The prologue of the miller’s tale foreshadows that his jokes may be ruder than those of other pilgrims and should not be taken too seriously because he is drunk (Harvard 3145). He wants to take the turn and acts selfishly (3132-3). A figure of the tale, Absalom, proposes that “some people will be won by rich gifts and some by blows and some by courtesy”, which underlines the crudeness. The stark contrast between those three enumerated things, rich gifts, blows, and courtesy, is likely to elicit laughter because an incongruity occurs (Roberts 46-51). Other instances for the miller’s simplistic kind of humour, which might not be found funny as the prologue of the reeve’s tale indicates, can be found in form of dramatic irony. When the carpenter believes Nicholas that they will drown without taking precautions, the carpenter “weeps, wails, looks wretched; He sighs with very many a sorry groan” (3618-9). Typically, this situation would entail empathy and pity instead of amusement.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research focus on humor in The Canterbury Tales and outlines the methodological approach regarding narrative techniques and literary analysis.
2. Background / Theory Chapter: This section provides the theoretical framework by exploring humor during Chaucer’s era, connecting his work to modernist features, and defining essential literary concepts such as fabliau, satire, and irony.
3. Analysis: This main part examines six specific tales, detailing how characters employ humor, irony, and satire, and how these elements serve to characterize individuals and establish narrative dynamics.
4. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the research findings, confirming that Chaucer’s use of diverse humor genres creates a timeless and individualistic literary landscape that bridges historical and modern perspectives.
Keywords
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, Humour, Dark Humour, Fabliau, Satire, Irony, Modernist features, Literary techniques, Narrative, Pilgrims, Symbolism, Middle English, Characterization, Meta-humour
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this academic paper?
The paper examines the narrative techniques used by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales to convey humor and how these techniques reflect his individual style and the conventions of his time.
What are the central thematic areas of the research?
The core themes include the analysis of humor, the timelessness of Chaucer's writing through modern literary lenses, and the function of characters' storytelling in the context of their own social interactions.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to analyze what the pilgrims' narrative techniques reveal about the types of humor they use and how they navigate or challenge the societal conventions of the Middle English period.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this work?
The paper employs a qualitative literary analysis, utilizing theoretical definitions of humor (fabliau, satire, irony) and applying these concepts to specific excerpts from selected Canterbury Tales.
What is covered in the main body (Analysis) of the paper?
The analysis focuses on six selected tales, examining the use of dark humor by the Miller and Reeve, prototypical Chaucerian elements in the Merchant's and Summoner's tales, and Chaucer's own meta-humorous critique in the Nun's Priest's and Sir Thopas tales.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, humour, dark humour, fabliau, satire, irony, modernity, and meta-humour.
How does the paper connect Chaucer to modern literature?
The author argues that Chaucer's constant experimentation with style and form, his dynamic plot structures, and his use of meta-humor align with modernist literary techniques, emphasizing his timelessness.
Why does the research analyze the relationship between the Miller and the Reeve?
This relationship is analyzed to highlight how characters use humor as a psychological tool for revenge and social posturing, creating a multilayered narrative where humor serves both entertainment and conflict.
- Citar trabajo
- Lisa Thöne (Autor), 2021, Chaucer's Timelessness and Individual Humour in "The Canterbury Tales". A Literary Perspective, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1476989
