The Canterbury Tales
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Paperback Oxford Worlds Classics English
By (author) Geoffrey Chaucer , Translated by David Wright , Introduction and notes by Christopher Cannon


Categories: Grammar & Vocabulary Poetry Books Poetry By Individual Poets Literary Studies: Classical, Early & Medieval Literary Studies: Poetry & Poets Contemporary Fiction Classic Books & Novels


Whoever best acquits himself, and tells
The most amusing and instructive tale,
Shall have a dinner, paid for by us all...

In Chaucers most ambitious poem, The Canterbury Tales (c. 1387), a group of pilgrims assembles in an inn just outside London and agree to entertain each other on the way to Canterbury by telling stories. The pilgrims come from all ranks of society, from the crusading Knight and burly Miller to the worldly Monk and lusty Wife of Bath. Their tales are as various as the tellers, including romance, bawdy comedy, beast fable, learned debate, parable, and Eastern adventure. The
resulting collection gives us a set of characters so vivid that they have often been taken as portraits from real life, and a series of stories as hilarious in their comedy as they are affecting in their tragedy. Even after 600 years, their account of the human condition seems both fresh and true.

This new edition of David Wrights acclaimed translation includes a new critical introduction and invaluable notes by a leading Chaucer scholar.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford Worlds Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxfords commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.


Product details

Format Paperback | 560 pages
Dimensions 130 x 191 x 27mm | 385g
Publication date 05 Sep 2011
Publisher Oxford University Press
Publication City/Country Oxford, United Kingdom
Language English
Edition New edition
Edition Statement New
ISBN10 0199599025
ISBN13 9780199599028
Bestsellers rank 67,485