What purpose do The Canterbury Tales serve in relation to their characters?

The Canterbury Tales primarily serve to document a religious pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The narrative structure of the work is built around a group of pilgrims who embark on this journey, sharing stories along the way. Each character represents different segments of 14th-century English society, providing insight into their personal experiences, morals, and social commentary. This pilgrimage serves as a framing device that brings the diverse tales together, allowing the author, Geoffrey Chaucer, to reflect on various aspects of human nature and social dynamics during his time. The religious context of the pilgrimage is essential, as it gives rise to the various stories that illustrate different values, beliefs, and experiences representative of the era.