Geoffrey Chaucer and His Works
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) is a well-known poet and author from England often called the “Father of English Literature.” He is best known for his masterpiece “The Canterbury Tales.”
It could be said that Chaucer strongly influenced Middle English literature and had a lasting impact on English poetry. Let’s see some of the notable works of Geoffrey Chaucer:
The Canterbury Tales
“The Canterbury Tales” is a compilation of tales in verse. The frame narrative revolves around the various pilgrims who are on their way to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
The pilgrims decide that all of them must tell a story during the journey on the road; consequently, some of the tales are educational with elements that offer various aspects of medieval life.
These tales fall under several types, covering a wide range of genres like romance, tragedy, comedy, and moralistic tales. They provide flashes of different facets of medieval English society including classes, occupations and lifestyles.
Some of the most fascinating characters from “The Canterbury Tales” include the Wife of Bath, the Miller, the Pardoner, and the Knight.
However, it is unfortunate that Chaucer did not live long enough to finish “The Canterbury Tales.” Consequently, the collection remains fragmentary which is comprised of only 24 tales out of the originally planned 120. However, it occupies a special in the English literature of the Middle Ages and is a unique piece of world literature.
Troilus and Criseyde
“Troilus and Criseyde” is a long narrative verse, which describes the unfortunate love story of Troilus, the Trojan prince, and Criseyde, the Trojan widow.
The poem is set against the backdrop of the Trojan War. Indeed, the poem is a good example of Chaucer’s ability to write about appealing characters with inner conflicts. It moves the reader from emotions of love to a tragedy and then to philosophical contemplations, thus presenting a complex picture of love. Other important works include:
- The Parliament of Fowls
- The Legend of Good Women
- The House of Fame