The Canterbury Tales

Kevin MazariegosSoardEnglish Literature30 March 2018 Psychoanalysis: ChaucerIn the Tales, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer, he introducesmany characters to demonstrate society with its many levels in ranking people. But Chaucermanages to incorporate himself into the story. He manages this by creating an uneasy yet calmtone. With his unique character representing different tones and creating id, ego, and superegosinto his very own character. Thus allowing the psychoanalysis through the character and hisstories he told.Firstly, he creates different tones to his very own character. Chaucer sets an very uneasyand uncertain tone through his prologue. Through the characters introduction in the prologue healready encompasses

Once the host got tired of Chaucer’s bad rhyme, the Host callsChaucer out. He goes on to say “ Let's see whether you can tell something historical in rhyme, orat least something in prose, which there is gaiety or some instructions.(132 Chaucer) By theHost’s request and suspicions of “him of being silent and sullen”(SparkNotes), Chaucer’ssuperego begins to shows itself. The superego is his transition in tones and personalities.Chaucer's inner thoughts are finally telling himself to show his true self causing the transition.Chaucer decides to tell another story, which he somehow now knows another story, even thoughhe had said that he only knew the one. But from his transition from first appearing as a naive,now introduces himself into his true self or reality.Finally after Chaucer's forced transition, he begins to show the reality or ego. The egobeing his true personalities. Chaucer tells a 2nd story but before he does he warns that “it is avirtuous moral tale, though it is sometimes told differently by different people, as a I shallexplain to you.”(132 Chaucer) Through his tone having changed his warning to the others ismore matured and serious from his earlier self. This shows he is finally finding his true self andletting the others see his “ego.” But he demonstrates his inner self through the story he chose totell which demonstrates his