Depiction of the Global Village in the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales: A Metaphoric Study

Abstract

This study explores how Geoffrey Chaucer's Prologue to The Canterbury Tales metaphorically represents the concept of a "global village" by examining the diversity of its characters, their social backgrounds, and cultural exchanges. By drawing on Marshall McLuhan's theory of the global village, the research demonstrates that medieval societies exhibited early forms of interconnectedness through trade, cultural exchange, and shared religious practices, much like our modern globalized world. Through a qualitative analysis of Chaucer's work, using George Lakoff's theory of metaphor, this study highlights the relevance of the global village concept in understanding medieval society. The research further connects medieval societal dynamics to contemporary notions of globalization, offering a deeper understanding of Chaucer's work and its broader implications for both literary and historical studies.