Introduction to Chaucer: Middle English and the Canterbury Tales

[Oath_Of_The_Ancients]

gotta hand it to this woman for making grade 10 english 1000% more interesting by actually enjoying the stuff she's talking about

[tasneemr.z]

Great way to summarize very important points about Chaucer ... I like the way she explains stuff, really relaxed and I can tell that she's soooo into literature, it's like she is explaining that to a friend, I loved it, you really helped me ...  Thanks.

[michaeldale]

By the way, thought you might like to know that if any of you do visit London, you can go have a drink in Southwark, just opposite the cathedral, at the actual pub that Chaucer frequented and uses as the gathering point for the pilgrims before they set off for Canterbury. The pub has electricity and all mod cons but is still exquisitely unchanged and a rare example of a galleried courtyard pub. It’s always packed, especially outside in the courtyard in Summer, but it is exactly as Chaucer knew it. Do go if you visit London, helps with the flavour of the story. Also, apart from the nobility speaking Latin they also spoke much French. Indeed French was the official language of the British Court (the royal court NOT the legal type) until the early 1900s. A strange hang over from the early days. French of course was the language of the court when the Norman invader William, known as the conqueror, killed King Harold at the battle of Hastings and claimed the crown, giving him the land which he promptly divided amongst all of his notable, thug like followers, who all spoke only French.

[bobelliott]

Shakespeare was never a "father" of english literature. But he did english very well. Small words, not very many syllables but immensley powerful. Chaucer was a lot of fun and probably my fav. Spenser and Milton were also interesting and deeper

[johnraggett]

Thank you Elspeth. Very interesting. It was Edward III who, in 1362, decreed that pleadings before the courts were to be in English. They had previously been in French or Latin. His successor, Richard II was the first monarch to address Parliament in English. England, using the new language, finally became independent of the greater conglomerate that included Brittany, Normandy and Aquitaine. Oh, and at that time, spoken English did not, like, use the word "like" in like every sentence..

[bbuentello]

your like the only one that has helped make my class fun. Can you explain a little more about the Generals Prologue? my professor is of no help :( please!!! 

[mariamia]

Love your videos, they have been of a huge help for all english literature students, thank you!

[hermangre]

"A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century" by Barbara Tuchman.

[bluedancelilly]

He wasn't Middle English, but was the one who bridged Middle English into what we'd think of as Shakespearean sort of English (think King James Bible). Different than Middle English which is something we wouldn't understand today.

[hermangre]

The Middle Ages(476-1453): "A Thousand Years without a bath"

[michaeldale]

We haven’t had a King Charles III yet in England so the donor of the gallon of wine was someone else. When the present Queen Elizabeth dies her son, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales will become King Charles III. So best find out which king it was and amend. Was it a John or a Henry, which were the most common royal names back then. It wasn’t Charles I or Charles II either as they lived in the 1600s and Charles the first got his head cut off in our civil war, after which there was a republic for a decade and a half approximately then the monarchy was restored after the people got totally fed up with the dreadful self serving behaviour of those holding power and brought the dead king’s son back to rule as King Charles II. That period of our history is known as the Restoration (as the monarchy was restored) which is noteworthy in literature as the period of the restoration comedy; which thrilled and reassured audiences as dancing, plays and musical performances had been banned during the republic. By the way, the presentation is lovely but I’m forced to agree with the comment regarding “like” and “kind of”. They are just padding and actually diminish the impact of a statement.. for example, “he was like, er, , kind of a cool guy” actually means he wasn’t a cool guy but was like, or similar to, a cool guy. This is an example, I know you didn’t use those words. However, any presentation that might get people reading Chaucer, preferably aloud to relish the rhythm, alliteration and onomatopoeia has to be good. Your joy does shine through.

[LarryNathanielPhoto]

god...plz don't judge us for twitter.

[mileskeesey]

Goddam, setting the chalice on The Cantos = not messing around.

[reggievonzugbach]

I do wish Americans could give presentations without larding them with "like" and "kind of". For example, in telling us the dates of Middle English the dear woman says "like" five times. This does spoil the narrative of a very good exposition.

[kellydg]

4:02  - King Charles the Third?  Why should I waste my time watching a video by a woman who doesn't know that there hasn't been a English king Charles the Third?  Edward III anyone?