In The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, a group of pilgrims traveling from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of St. Thomas Becket engage in a storytelling competition suggested by the Host, who promises a banquet to the best storyteller. Each pilgrim tells a tale, and their stories reflect a broad spectrum of medieval life and values, often through humorous and satirical lenses. The narrative includes themes of intense religious belief, sexuality, greed, and casual violence.

Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is celebrated for its vivid storytelling, rich characterizations, and insight into medieval life. Praised for its humor and keen social commentary, the archaic language and dense prose can be challenging for modern readers. Nonetheless, it remains a landmark in English literature and a must-read for its historical and literary significance.

A reader who enjoys The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer likely appreciates classic literature, medieval history, and social satire. They might also enjoy collections of interconnected stories and character-driven narratives like Boccaccio's The Decameron or Shakespeare's plays. Such a reader values rich language, cultural insights, and moral exploration.

Geoffrey Chaucer

Adult

Novel/Book in Verse

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Canterbury Tales reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Canterbury Tales | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Canterbury Tales and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Canterbury Tales Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue–“Chaucer’s Tales”

The Canterbury Tales Prologue–“Chaucer’s Tales” Summary & Analysis

“The Monk’s Tale”–“The Pardoner’s Tale”

The Canterbury Tales “The Monk’s Tale”–“The Pardoner’s Tale” Summary & Analysis

“The Wife of Bath’s Tale”–“Chaucer’s Retractions”

The Canterbury Tales “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”–“Chaucer’s Retractions” Summary & Analysis

The Canterbury Tales

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Canterbury Tales?

Reading Age

Book Details