Why are allusions used in The Canterbury Tales?

Answer 1

Because Chaucer wanted the audience he was aiming at to understand what he was talking about...these allusions helped guide the listener

Answer 2

Allusions are used in The Canterbury Tales to enrich the text by referencing other works, events, or people that were well-known to the audience of that time. Chaucer uses allusions to add depth, complexity, and layers of meaning to his characters and stories. It also allows him to engage in intertextuality, connecting his work to a larger literary tradition.