Discuss Chaucer’s Contribution to English Literature in Three Phrases.
History of English Literature is a notable literary work by ___. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of History of English Literature.
Answer
Discuss the three stages of Chaucer’s poetic development.
Or, discuss Chaucer’s contribution to English Literature in three phrases.
Or, comment on the career of Chaucer as a poet.
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340-1400) is called the “Father of English Literature”. He is the most influential poet of the Middle English Period (1066-1500). He is known for his remarkable contribution to the development of English poetry. Chaucer’s poetic career is often divided into three stages: the French, Italian, and English periods. Here are three stages of Chaucer’s poetic development.
French Period (1360–1370): Chaucer’s early work was heavily influenced by French poetry. They were very popular in England during his time. One of the most important pieces from this period is “The Book of the Duchess,” published in 1368. This poem reflects the French style of courtly love and allegory. Courtly love and allegory were key elements in French literature.
In “The Book of the Duchess,” Chaucer follows the tradition of the French poet Guillaume de Machaut. Machaut wrote about themes of love and loss. Chaucer’s use of dream visions and detailed descriptions reflects the French poetic style. For instance, he describes the Duchess as,
“The fairest and the beste.”
(The most beautiful and the finest.)
This shows his use of the idealized language of French courtly love poetry. However, while Chaucer imitated French styles, he also began to develop his own style.
Italian Period (1370–1385): In his middle period, Chaucer’s poetry began to show the influence of Italian literature. During his travels to Italy, Chaucer was influenced by the works of Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. Their works significantly influenced his writing. In this stage, we notice a shift from the French allegorical style to more complex narratives and character development in Chaucer’s works.
Chaucer’s “Troilus and Criseyde” (mid-1380s) is a masterpiece from this period. This poem is inspired by Boccaccio’s “Il Filostrato”. This shows Chaucer’s ability to blend Italian influence with his growing narrative skills. TheUnlock this study guide now