Narrative Written by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales are a narrative written by Geoffrey Chaucer; Chaucer typically uses parody, satire, and romances in his collection of poems. While using past tense he managed to tell a story about how each of the characters appeared to him and told each of their tales in the third person narrative style. Chaucer used social commentary by using rhetorical means to provide his commentary on society. He often informed people about a problem and wanted them to appeal to their sense of justice.

In The Pardoners Tale Geoffrey wanted to get the point across to society that money is the root of all evil. During his story (poem) the pardoner admits that he speaks or preaches the way he does to get money. Preaching was his way to get back at anyone who offended him or his Brethren. He shows how deep his into his sins by stealing anything he could get his hands on just so he didn't have to spend his own money. The pardoner attempted to sell his relics and pardons, but when he was asked to come forth and unbuckle his bag he hesitated and was called out by the host for not being a real man. In the end, the knight steps forward to make amends between them.

The Wife of Bath's Tale is a story about how a knight came across a young maiden; he became overcome by lust and raped her. The court was horrified by his wrongdoing and thought he should be put to death by being decapitated. The ladies of the court intercede on his behalf and give him a chance to redeem himself. His punishment is to discover what women want most in the world and to report it to the court within a year. If he does not complete the challenge he will be decapitated. As his time is running out he meets an ugly old woman, she promises she will save him if he helps her in return.

So they return to the court together and the king tells the queen the answer of the knight Women most desire to be in charge of their husbands and lovers. The old women requested that the night marry her, but he was in horror and begged for her to choose a different request but she refuses. As a married couple, the old women asked the knight if he would rather have an old and ugly wife that is loyal and good or a young and fair but also coquettish and unfaithful. The night replied with I would rather trust your judgment he then asked her to choose what was best for her. She then becomes both beautiful and good and they live a happy married life.

The Canterbury Tales is a narrative that typically uses parody, satire, and romances in the collection of poems. In the story, Chaucer uses his preaching skills to inform his audience about realism in life. He goes through many journeys to prove multiple points, for example in the pardoner's tale he stole things and was greedy to prove the point that money is the root of all evil. I believe he told the tales the way he did to let people know that the things they are doing is wrong and there are consequences.

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