ENGL 220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Plausible Deniability, Jousting, Bubonic Plague
Document Summary
The pilgrimage starts at southern bank of the thames. At one time it was thought that it was based on actual pilgrimage in1387-- however highly improbable for pilgrims of such varying social backgrounds to have travelled together. Chaucer bring these people together to offer an overview of the lifestyles in the 1300s (late medieval english society transitioning to the early modern era). Wife of bath -- formidable figure, and does not have a male escort. The most high ranking of them is the knight, first pilgrim described and to recount a tale, the second highest ranking is the prioress. At other end of social hierarchy, the lowest ranking of the pilgrims is the estates satire. The third estate: estate of those who work. Not only a social hierarchy but also a moral hierarchy (e. g. is the knight at the highest of the moral hierarchy).
