The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer are a collection of stories written during the Middle Ages in England. Some of the major themes found in these tales are the struggle between good and evil, the power of faith, and the sense of humanity.
First, a major theme throughout these tales is the struggle between good and evil. In each tale, heroes and villains struggle against each other. Characters strive to uphold the noble and good, often personified by the church, while simultaneously recognizing the power of evil and its influence in the world. This tension between the two forces can be seen in "The Miller's Tale," in which two characters display their respective levels of faith, as well as morality. It is important to understand the complexity of the conflict in order to appreciate the stories.
Second, another major theme found in the Canterbury Tales is the power of faith. Faith is central to these stories, and characters must find a balance between their faith and their struggles against evil. The texts show how a strong faith can protect people against temptation and give them the strength to do the right thing in difficult situations. This power of faith is seen in stories like "The Pardoner's Tale," in which a pardoner reveals his corrupt ways even as he honors his vow of faith.
Finally, The Canterbury Tales explore the sense of humanity or the human condition. Each story gives the reader a glimpse of people from different social classes and backgrounds. By exploring the stories of these characters, the Canterbury Tales aims to show that, despite their differences, people are all fundamentally the same; they experience the same joys, pains, and struggles. This crucial theme can be seen throughout the tales in the often humorous ways in which characters interact with each other, as well as in their inevitable deaths. It is this recognition of the human condition that makes The Canterbury Tales a highly influential work of literature.
