Chaucer's Works, Volume 4 — The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral. The stories are a diverse mix of genres, including romance, fabliau, and sermon.

Some of the most famous tales in the collection include:

• The General Prologue: This tale introduces the 29 pilgrims who are on their way to Canterbury Cathedral.
• The Knight's Tale: This tale is a romance about two knights who fall in love with the same woman.
• The Miller's Tale: This tale is a fabliau about a jealous husband who tries to trick his wife's lover.
• The Reeve's Tale: This tale is a fabliau about a miller who tries to trick a student.
• The Wife of Bath's Tale: This tale is a sermon about the importance of marriage.
• The Pardoner's Tale: This tale is a sermon about the importance of repenting one's sins.

The Canterbury Tales is considered one of the greatest works of English literature and has been translated into many languages. It is still studied and admired by readers and scholars around the world.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Canterbury Tales is its variety of genres. The tales range from chivalric romances to earthy fabliaux, from bawdy humor to solemn sermons. This diversity reflects the wide range of social and cultural experiences of the pilgrims.

Another remarkable aspect of the Canterbury Tales is its vivid portrayal of human nature. The pilgrims are a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. They are imperfect and flawed, but they are also hopeful and resilient.

The Canterbury Tales is a timeless work of literature that continues to speak to readers of all ages. It is a rich and complex work that rewards repeated readings.

Here are some of the most famous quotes from the Canterbury Tales:

• "Love is blind."
• "All that glitters is not gold."
• "A man is his own worst enemy."
• "Good wine is the life of man."
• "It is never too late to learn."