The Canterbury TalesBeyond its importance as a literary work of unvarnished genius, Geoffrey Chaucer’s unfinished epic poem is also one of the most beloved works in the English language–and for good reason: It is lively, absorbing, perceptive, and outrageously funny. But despite the brilliance of Chaucer’s work, the continual evolution of our language has rendered his words unfamiliar to many of us. Esteemed poet, translator, and scholar Burton Raffel’s magnificent new unabridged translation brings Chaucer’s poetry back to life, ensuring that none of the original’s wit, wisdom, or humanity is lost to the modern reader. This Modern Library edition also features an Introduction by the widely influential medievalist and author John Miles Foley that discusses Chaucer’s work as well as his life and times. |
Contents
General Prologue | 3 |
The Knights Tale | 26 |
The Millers Prologue | 85 |
The Stewards Prologue The Reeves Prologue | 105 |
The Cooks Prologue | 118 |
Prologue to the Man of Laws Tale | 125 |
Epilogue to the Man of Laws Tale of disputed authenticity | 158 |
The Wife of Baths Tale | 182 |
Introduction to the Pardon Peddlers Tale | 345 |
The Pardon Peddlers Prologue The Pardoners Prologue | 360 |
The Hosts Merry Words to the Shipman and the Prioress | 377 |
Prologue to Sir Thopas | 387 |
The Host Stops Chaucers Narration | 395 |
The Prologue of the Nuns Priests Tale | 457 |
Epilogue to the Nuns Priests Tale + + | 475 |
Prologue of the ClericMagicians Servant | 495 |
The Friars Prologue | 193 |
The Summoners Prologue | 205 |
The Clerics Prologue | 223 |
The Merchants Prologue | 260 |
Epilogue to the Merchants Tale | 292 |
The Landowners Prologue The Franklins Prologue | 337 |
The Provisioners Prologue The Manciples Prologue | 520 |
The Parsons Tale | 533 |
Here the Maker of This Book Takes His Leave | 597 |
The Tale of Melibee | 619 |
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Common terms and phrases
Absalom Almageste anger angry Arcite Athens blessed body brother burning Burton Raffel Canterbury Tales Chaucer cleric clothing confession contrition cursed daughter dead deadly dear death deeds devil dreams drink everything eyes faith father fire Friar friends Geoffrey Chaucer give God's gold grace hand hard hear heart heaven hell honor horse husband Jesus Christ killed king knew knight lady lechery live lying man's marriage married matter Melibee mercy Middle English never noble NUN'S PRIEST's Tale once Ovid pain Palamon penance Penitence pleasure pray priest quickly reason ride Saint Augustine Saint Jerome Saint Paul Saint Peter servant shame sing sins sleep Solomon says someone sorrow soul speak story surely swear tale tell Theseus things told truly truth turn Valérian venial sin walked weeping wicked wife wise woman women words worldly worthy