Abstract

This thesis will explore the relationship between aesthetics and marriage that has been showed in The Canterbury Tales.  According to the theory proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas, aesthetics includes three aspects which are proportion, clarity and integrity. By analyzing some tales,-how the proportion, clarity and integrity have been showed in The Canterbury Tales will been explained. Finally, the thesis will discuss Geoffrey Chaucer’s position on marriage based on his tales.

Key words: Geoffrey·Chaucer、The Canterbury Tales、 proportion、 clarity、 integrity

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

Chapter 1 Introduction.1

1.1Background...1

1.2Definition of beauty in the antiquity and medieval ages..1

1.3Aesthetics in the medieval age...2 

Chapter 2 The proportion in the Tales.3

2.1 The theory of proportion...3

2.2 The proportion of religion, estate and age between couples in the Tales4

2.2.1 The proportion of religion between couples.4

2.2.2 The proportion of estate between couples. ..5

2.2.3 The proportion of age between couples.6

Chapter 3 The clarity in the Tales...7             

     3.1 The definition of clarity7

     3.2 The debate of clarity in the Tales7

Chapter4 The integrity in the Tales....8    

     4.1 The definition of integrity8

     4.2 The integrity of marriage in the Tales.. ..9

Chapter 5 Conclusion9

References 11