The Canterbury Tales bring unique value to historians. It masterfully describes the old English social class system. It also defines the customs and habits characterizing the everyday practices of the citizens. A variety of stories shows different situations typical for the Medieval UK people.
Detailed answer:
The Canterbury Tales were written at the end of the 14th century in England. The author, Geoffrey Chaucer, described many situations happening to various social classes. Their tales depict episodes from the lives of knights, ladies, peasants, and other characters. The variety of tales emphasizes the difference of social statuses through comical settings. What may be ordinary to simple people could appear outstanding for the nobles and vice versa.
While the book is fictional. Yet, the stories are realistic for their time and reflect the problems of UK citizens. Researchers and scholars may use them for a general reference regarding British history. Communication between people is rather comical in nature. That’s because most citizens went through their lives without much planning. That often leads to a humorous atmosphere. This is especially common for villages and small towns, where peasants react to events in a direct manner.
The British sense of humor, even the modern one, can be hard to interpret. In this article by History Extra, one can find a guide to a better understanding of it. The material may make the reading of The Canterbury Tales and similar works more entertaining. The situations might not cause great laughter, but they have a certain touch that creates interest. Reading one story could start a chain reaction and desire to continue until the end. Since the works are not connected, the reader can put the book down or pick it back up at any point.
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