The Canterbury Tales (Geoffrey Chaucer)

"The Canterbury Tales" is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century. It presents a diverse group of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury, each sharing their own tale along the journey. The stories explore various themes such as love, morality, and social class, reflecting the complexities of medieval life. Chaucer uses rich characters and humor to critique society and human behavior. Notably, it is one of the first works in English literature to use the vernacular, making it accessible to a wider audience of its time.