The course is devoted to a study of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in the original Middle English. The tales represent the popular narrative genres of the High Middle Ages, including chivalric romances, moral and devotional works, and indecent comic tales. Through close study of the tales and of the framing-story that unites them, students acquaint themselves with Chaucer's skills as a narrative poet. Some of its techniques have their counterparts in fiction of recent centuries; others will be new to modern readers. The course provides an introduction to Chaucer's world--social, philosophical, and religious, as well as literary. Students will translate aloud in class and will learn how to pronounce Middle English. Requirements include translation quizzes, critical papers, and a final examination.

Enrollment is limited to 25 students.

Text: Larry Benson, ed., The Riverside Chaucer