The Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in Middle English between 1387 and 1400. The stories are framed by a tale-telling competition among a group of pilgrims from various social classes. Chaucer is known for his vivid portrayal of 14th century English society. The poem has been adapted into various forms, including film and television. The SparkNotes study guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the tales and their underlying themes.