The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales – Part 1

Mark and Durga introduce and comment on biographical facts of Chaucer's life and influences in the narrative. Discussion concerns the locale and cultural setting of the narrative, the dramatic and poetic qualities of Chaucer's language. Analysis includes contrasting portraits of the Prioress and the Wife of Bath in the General Prologue with significant quotations which reveal the female characters' view of love and life.

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Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales – Part 2

Mark and Durga introduce and comment on the Wife of Bath's Tale; the tale as a comedy of manners and the woman's struggle for power in the battle of the sexes. They discuss the opening of the Prologue and its connection to the character's tale, particularly the vitality of the narrative persona and significant lines which reveal a radical commentary on marriage and love.

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