1. Develop a multimedia presentation based on the research paper provided. The content and design of your presentation materials should meet the criteria below.
Contains 5-7 slides that include an introduction, content slides, and a conclusion
Contains text that clearly conveys the important ideas from the research paper
(less than 5 sentences per slide)
Uses visual media to clarify or expand on ideas
Uses structure and formatting to enhance the final product.
Research Paper:
Canterbury Tales
The aspect of social classes is not a new concept but has been in existence since time immemorial. The community entails of a diverse group of people with varied needs, desires, interest and abilities among others. Consequently, the complex issue of social classes is addressed by Chaucer in his masterpiece Canterbury Tales which presents a reflection of real life events in the society impacted by the social class distinction. The characters in Chaucer’s book are on a pilgrimage, and the Host proposes a session of storytelling to pass the time. There was an award of a dinner for the best story, and the Host acts as the judge. Notably, the self-appointment of the Host is a reflection of the dominant classes in the society who include influential individuals such as politicians and the wealthy. Additionally, the Host is a single person who takes the responsibility of deciding what the best story would be while there are numerous other people present. As a result, the host represents the few wealthy individuals who usually exploit the masses for their selfish gain and benefit. Moreover, the reward of the best storyteller was an elegant dinner at the end of the pilgrimage, which serves as a clear indication of the social class distinction. The middle and low class could not afford luxurious meals at excellent places such as restaurants, which were reserved for the wealthy individuals. Hence, the reward of having food with noble people also indicates the endeavors for higher social class position among those who occupy the lower social classes. Furthermore, the people on the pilgrimage were many while the reward was reserved only for one thus denoting the struggle among the lower social classes for limited resources in the society.
The first tale is narrated by a knight who tells a story about honor and love. The tale was a symbolic presentation of social classes whereby the soldiers during the medieval times served their masters with loyalty and dignity. The knights were usually above the low and middle classes and enjoyed various benefits from their masters such as land grants among others. Additionally, knights were expected to be honorable men in their actions as well as observe Christian doctrines. However, it was the duty of the knights to protect their masters and the kingdom by sacrificing their lives in battlefields for the safety of others. Besides, the Knight’s story touches on the theme of love, which was crucial during the times of war because knights were expected to form strong bonds with the men who they fought together. In other words, the lack of the healthy relationship could be associated with detrimental consequences such as losing a war or soldiers deserting each other in a battle. Most importantly, the relationship between the soldiers and knights was nothing compared to the great emphasis that the author lays on the bond of love between a man and a woman. According to Chaucer, the heroic deeds and bravery of the Knights were fundamentally embedded in their love for the women. “He cast his eye upon Emelya, and therwithal he bleynte, and cryede ‘A!’”(219-220). The love for a woman is symbolically represented in the Knight’s tale that entails the dilemma of the two Knight brothers who chose to fight to the death for the love of the same maiden.
The second story was from a drunken Miller despite not being appointed by the Host. Notably, the drunken fellow narrates a funny story about a stupid carpenter that leaves everyone presents in laughter. Interestingly, the Reeve was once a carpenter and also tells a story of a cheating Miller as a form of revenge against the drunken Miller who insulted him through his story. Significantly, the conflict between the Miller and the Reeve is just but a presentation of real happenings in the society whereby most of the masses in the lower class and the middle class usually engage in various unnecessary conflicts. “A theef he was, for sothe, of corn and mele,
And that a sly, and usuant for to stele” (85 – 86). Besides, the lower classes often quarrel and hence fail to see the oppression and exploitation by the upper classes.
In conclusion, there are numerous other insulting tales from the characters as illustrated in the stories narrated by Friar and Summoner thus justifying the prevalence of internal conflicts among the lower social classes in the society. Furthermore, the tales in Chaucer’s book represent social class division as evidenced in the characters’ categorization into the clergy who are associated with religion and prayer, the nobility such as the knights who fight and the lowest class of peasants who comprise the working class in the society. Therefore, it is evident that Geoffrey Chaucer as the author of the Canterbury Tales has expertly utilized the aspect of expressive language through the central characters such as the Knight, the Host, and the Miller among others to reflect the different class distinctions in the society.
