The Canterbury Tales and Other Poems

"The Canterbury Tales and Other Poems" by Geoffrey Chaucer is a seminal work in English literature, offering a vivid portrayal of 14th-century English society through a series of stories told by a diverse group of pilgrims on their way to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The collection, edited by D. Laing Purves, includes a variety of tales that range from chivalric romances to bawdy comedies, reflecting the wide spectrum of human experience and social classes of the time. Chaucer's work is noteworthy for its use of the English vernacular, which helped to elevate the status of English as a literary language. The tales are framed by a narrative in which the pilgrims engage in a storytelling contest, with each tale offering insights into the characters' personalities and the societal norms of the period. The edition also includes a selection of Chaucer's minor poems, providing a broader view of his literary contributions. The preface and notes by Purves aim to make Chaucer's work accessible to modern readers by updating the spelling and providing explanations for obsolete terms and references. This edition underscores Chaucer's role as a pioneer in English literature, whose works continue to be studied for their artistic merit and historical significance.