Honesty time . . .
Did I actually read The Canterbury Tales?
Yes.
Did I understand it?
. . . . Now that is a completely different
question altogether.
I
just don’t know what it is. Why can’t I understand The Canterbury Tales? Is it the story itself, or is it just Middle
English as a whole? It’s so upsetting for me (as an English Major) to read a
classic piece of literature such as this and not be able to comprehend what it
is saying. I keep reading, over and over again, desperate for some kind of
clarity (I don’t want to depend on a more modern version), and the continuous
rereading causes the story to become less intriguing in my mind.
Such
a shame.
However
– yes, there is a ‘however’ in this seemingly negative post – there is one
thing The Canterbury Tales emphasizes
that I am absolutely certain of: the importance of company.
In
the General Prologue, Chaucer makes it a point to introduce all of his
companions whom will be joining him on his pilgrimage. Each of his companions have
very different personalities that, even someone like me, can see will make for
a very interesting story. For example, the Knight, a man of honor and chivalry,
entered the scene with his son, the Squire, a young man looking for love yet
does not seem emotionally prepared for the responsibility, alongside him. The
Wife of Bath, a woman clearly graced with riches and multiple life partners, was
also introduced along with the Summoner, a man scarred by leprosy who
frequently gets drunk. As you can see simply by the few characters accompanying
Chaucer on this pilgrimage I have chosen to focus on, there are many different
personalities and views circling throughout the story.
I
always thought it was interesting how very different people can come together
in a group and be friendly with one another despite their differences. Of
course, I understand that there is much room for feuds and arguments during
this pilgrimage, but I also know that it is part of life. People are put
together in a certain situation for a reason, and whatever happens, positive or
negative, is meant to teach a lesson and help one grow. As I mentioned before,
I thought it was interesting how people could be so different yet come together
as a group. Immediately, I thought of my group of friends. We are not much of a
group, more like a trio, but we are each so different from the next, even I
sometimes wonder, how in the world can we
be friends? But then I realize, they are in my life for a reason – they are
meant to teach me something and they are meant to be my company, at least for
now, throughout my pilgrimage of life.
Perhaps
this is what The Canterbury Tales is
saying: company is one of the most important things in one’s life. All we have
to do is decide who is good company and who is bad company.
I can safely say, that I also struggle with this book! You're definitely not alone in that aspect. The modern translations really do help me piece the story together, even thought I am bound and determined to read that freakin' book in middle english. I liked that you touched on the idea of company being an important competent. Sometimes just having someone along for the ride is comforting. I imagine that this story wouldn't be half as interesting without the array of characters Chaucer has brought to life. I can also relate to having a very different group of friends, whom probably wouldn't see eye to eye with each other, but for whatever reason they make me feel right a home. I think we have friends for each version of ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI can safely say, that I also struggle with this book! You're definitely not alone in that aspect. The modern translations really do help me piece the story together, even thought I am bound and determined to read that freakin' book in middle english. I liked that you touched on the idea of company being an important competent. Sometimes just having someone along for the ride is comforting. I imagine that this story wouldn't be half as interesting without the array of characters Chaucer has brought to life. I can also relate to having a very different group of friends, whom probably wouldn't see eye to eye with each other, but for whatever reason they make me feel right a home. I think we have friends for each version of ourselves.
ReplyDeleteIn my Psychology class, we talked about how personality assessments are useful in everyday life. One way that they are useful is to judge people when you first meet them. In Chaucer’s prologue, it seems as though he is assessing everyone personality through their outward appearances and know info, before actually talking to them, which almost everyone does on a daily basis. I think that that is one of the reasons that I like The Canterbury Tales so much. The fact that it relates to an action that occurs multiple times a day in the modern world makes the story relevant for me.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain on the Middle English, trust me Tia, however I think you can push through this block. My advise to you for the time being is to utilize the middle English and modern English translation online until you get a better feel for the book. Also, I'll tell you what I do and that is reading the book how I think it would sound in today's modern English, and then go back and reread what made little to no sense.
ReplyDeleteAnd on your mention about how you like the idea of people being able to come together and go through the same voyage with one another without having many, if any, common interests or backgrounds. Really it's just like college, or life after college! A lot of us have the same goals and same destination to find and we all look to one another to make our own stories, and tell them to one another along the way. Perhaps Chaucer really liked to implement life tips in his translations.