Michael Tunnicliffe
These two free sessions will be offered through the online conference facility Zoom (https://zoom.us/.)
These sessions had to be postponed because of COVID in March. They are open to the original members of the groups and also to any newcomers who want to experience the Zoom way of delivering courses. You can attend either one or both sessions.
The Canterbury Tales provide a window on society in late 14th century England with vividly drawn pen portraits of the pilgrims themselves and the medley of two dozen tales they tell. We will investigate the social, political and religious situation in the reign of Richard II and examine their continuing appeal.
Session 1: Tuesday 21st July 2020, 10am – 12 noon
Second Nun, Reeve, and Canon Yeoman
In this session we look at the pious tale told by the Second Nun, the bawdy tale of the Reeve and the warning of the canon Yeoman about a medieval scam!
Session 2: Thursday 30th July, 1.30 – 3.30pm
The Merchant, The Parson and Chaucer’s Retraction
In this session we look at the last years of Chaucer’s life and the tales told by the Merchant and the Parson. Finally we consider the Retraction at the end of the work in which Chaucer disowns most of his writings. What does this tell us about Chaucer at the beginning of the new regime of Henry IV?
Recommended reading:
A translation of The Canterbury Tales such as that in Penguin Classics by Nevill Coghill
| Price | Minimum No. | Maximum No. | ||
| Free | 5 | 30 |
To reserve a place contact Michael Tunnicliffe mtunni@sky.com, stating which session(s) you would like to attend.