How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast is currently inactive and not releasing new episodes.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Chaucer for Beginners

Claim This Podcast

by Oxford University

5.0(9 reviews)

6 episodes

Updated Inactive

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧

Podcast Overview

"Chaucer for Beginners" is a captivating conversational podcast series that delves into the life and enduring legacy of the renowned 14th century writer Geoffrey Chaucer. Hosted by a Chaucer expert, the series provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Chaucer's life and times, exploring the reasons behind the enduring relevance of his masterpiece, the Canterbury Tales. In an enlightening conversation, interviewer Karen Carey engages with Professor Marion Turner, an esteemed Chaucer scholar and the J.R.R. Tolkien Professor of English Literature and Language at the University of Oxford. Marion’s research interests lie in late medieval secular literature and history, and she has published very widely on Chaucer, including four books and many articles. The podcast unfolds with an introduction to Chaucer's life and historical context, gradually transitioning to a detailed discussion of the Canterbury Tales, focusing on two pivotal tales, namely The Miller’s Tale and the Wife of Bath. The series concludes by examining Chaucer's innovative use of language and form, culminating in a final episode that reflects on his lasting literary legacy. This podcast serves as an invaluable resource for those students seeking a nuanced understanding of Chaucer and his timeless contributions to literature. Produced by Peter Robinson and Karen Carey. Album Cover Image of The Wife Of Bath taken from Canterbury Tales - Caxton's 1483 edn. St John's College A.2.5 and MS 266 https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/e9ddab12-2110-4aa0-ac87-74d77b55836a/

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

2/8/2024

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

1 verified contact email on file for Chaucer for Beginners

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

See contact details

Recent Episodes

February 8, 2024

Chaucer 6 - Chaucer’s legacy

Professor Marion Turner looks at Chaucer's legacy and the changes in societal perception of Chaucer. She also looks at online resources to help the beginner study Chaucer. In this concluding episode Professor Marion Turner provides a comprehensive examination of Geoffrey Chaucer's enduring legacy, illuminating his profound influence on subsequent literary giants such as Shakespeare, Dryden, T.S. Eliot, and contemporary writers. Marion delves into the widely used epithet "Father of the English Language," contextualising it within Chaucer's innovative and experimental approach to prose and poetry. She argues persuasively for Chaucer's role as an innovative trailblazer, noting his distinction as the first major writer to be printed by Caxton and the inaugural figure to have a comprehensive collection of his works compiled and printed. The episode navigates through different periods in societal perception of Chaucer, exploring how evolving perspectives have shaped translations and editorial decisions concerning his works. Marion eloquently makes the case for Chaucer as a European writer whose insights remain relevant to contemporary society, addressing issues that resonate with modern life. As the conversation unfolds, Marion and Karen reflect on study resources and offer valuable guidance for students embarking on reading Chaucer. They emphasise the enduring pleasure Chaucer's writing can provide to modern readers, despite the perceived hurdles posed by the archaic language. The episode concludes with insightful advice for students on overcoming challenges in reading Chaucer and underscores the timeless appeal of his works. Marion also mentions further introductory resources for those seeking a deeper understanding of Chaucer's literary contributions and the lasting impact he has had on the trajectory of English literature. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/

February 8, 2024

Chaucer 5 - The Language of Chaucer

Professor Marion Turner delves into Geoffrey Chaucer's language and writing style. Chaucer championed a vernacular English form of writing, a departure from the prevalent use of Latin or French in poetry and the law. In this illuminating episode, Professor Marion Turner engages in a captivating conversation with Karen Carey, delving into the intricacies of Geoffrey Chaucer's language and writing style. The episode offers an immersive experience, commencing with Marion's eloquent recital of the opening lines of the Canterbury Tales in Middle English. From the outset, listeners are transported to the linguistic landscape of Chaucer's era, marked by irregular spellings and the unique nuances of early English. Marion and Karen unravel the challenges posed by this early form of the English language, shedding light on its evolution into the modern tongue. Despite the irregularities, much of Chaucer's vocabulary remains recognisable to contemporary readers. The discussion extends to Chaucer's role as the originator of iambic pentameter verse, exploring how the rhythm and stress of words contribute to the richness of his writing when spoken aloud. The podcast also explores Chaucer's pivotal role in championing a vernacular English form of writing, a departure from the prevalent use of Latin or French in poetry, government, and the law during his time. Marion and Karen examine the significance of this linguistic shift and its impact on the accessibility of literature to a broader audience. As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain many insights into Chaucer's lasting linguistic contributions to modern English. The episode concludes with an exploration of words and phrases attributed to Chaucer, such as the timeless adage "Love is Blind," underscoring the enduring influence of his language on contemporary expression and writers such as Shakespeare who followed him. This episode serves as a valuable resource for students and enthusiasts seeking to navigate the linguistic intricacies and appreciate the linguistic legacy of Geoffrey Chaucer. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/

February 8, 2024

Chaucer 4 - The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale

Professor Marion Turner introduces one of the most famous and intricate tales from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales – "The Wife of Bath." In this key episode on the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Professor Marion Turner masterfully introduces one of the most famous and intricate tales from the Canterbury Tales – "The Wife of Bath." The character of the Wife of Bath, portrayed as a middle-class working woman, stands out as one of the most compelling figures in Chaucer's tales. Interestingly, Chaucer grants her the longest prologue, allowing her voice to resonate vividly as she shares her experiences and perspectives on life and marriage. Delving into "The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale," Professor Turner guides listeners through the narrative and tale told by an earthy character who has been married five times. She discusses the ‘Prologue,’ in which the Wife rails against medieval misogyny and the difficulties women faced in getting their voices heard. Her ‘Prologue’ moves between jokes and deeply serious discussions of domestic violence and oppression. The tale itself, which unfolds in the times of King Arthur, subverts the genre of romance. It revolves around a knight who is not a hero: instead, he faces punishment for the heinous act of raping a young woman. However, he is presented with a chance at redemption by answering a seemingly elusive question: "What do women most desire?" The knight's quest takes him on a journey where he encounters an old woman who promises the correct answer in exchange for a favour. She reveals that women desire sovereignty over their husbands – and saves his life. Obliged to keep his word, he is forced to marry her – and ultimately, he hands power over to his old wife, who metamorphoses into a beautiful and faithful woman. This episode not only unravels the layers of "The Wife of Bath's Tale" but also provides a nuanced exploration of the Wife of Bath herself, offering listeners a deeper understanding of Chaucer's astute characterisation and the timeless themes woven into the fabric of the Canterbury Tales. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/

6 total episodes available

Similar Podcasts

Discover related shows you might enjoy

You're Dead to Me

BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

BBC Radio 4

History Extra podcast

Immediate

Approaching Shakespeare

Oxford University

Speaking of Jung: Interviews with Jungian Analysts

Laura London

Deep-dive analytics for Chaucer for Beginners

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Chaucer for Beginners?: "Chaucer for Beginners" is a captivating conversational podcast series that delves into the life and enduring legacy of the renowned 14th century writer Geoffrey Chaucer. Hosted by a Chaucer expert, the series provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Chaucer's life and times, exploring the reasons behind the enduring relevance of his masterpiece, the Canterbury Tales.

In an enlightening conversation, interviewer Karen Carey engages with Professor Marion Turner, an esteemed Chaucer scholar and the J.R.R. Tolkien Professor of English Literature and Language at the University of Oxford. Marion’s research interests lie in late medieval secular literature and history, and she has published very widely on Chaucer, including four books and many articles. The podcast unfolds with an introduction to Chaucer's life and historical context, gradually transitioning to a detailed discussion of the Canterbury Tales, focusing on two pivotal tales, namely The Miller’s Tale and the Wife of Bath.

The series concludes by examining Chaucer's innovative use of language and form, culminating in a final episode that reflects on his lasting literary legacy. This podcast serves as an invaluable resource for those students seeking a nuanced understanding of Chaucer and his timeless contributions to literature. Produced by Peter Robinson and Karen Carey.

Album Cover Image of The Wife Of Bath taken from Canterbury Tales - Caxton's 1483 edn. St John's College A.2.5 and MS 266

https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/e9ddab12-2110-4aa0-ac87-74d77b55836a/
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates inactive.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Information about guest appearances is not available.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.