The Age Of Chaucer

The Age Of Chaucer

 

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400)

Pre-Reading

Being a student of English literature adds that the difficulties of reading Chaucer are more apparent than real one; spelling and any modern versions of the poet’s works which seems to miss charm and dry humor of the original.

Note

The student of English Literature will observe the following the rules, they may learn an hour or two hours to read Chaucer easily as Shakespeare.

Rules

• Final syllables are to be pronounced. Chaucer is the most social poet and melody is nearly every line.

• Vowels in Chaucer have much the same as modern English.

• Readers! pronounce aloud any unknowing words, where eyes unable to see, the ears will often recognize the meaning, if both eyes and ears are unable then found good collection of the poet’s works.

Life Of Chaucer

As we know that the life of Chaucer is divided into three periods.

ð  The First Period

The first period of thirty years, includes his youth and early manhood and he was influenced by French.

ð  Second Period

The second period of fifteen years as Chaucer’s active life as diplomatic and man of affairs; this period is called Italian period.

ð  Third Period

The third period of fifteen years generally known as the English period, this time of the Chaucer is the richest development time.

Early Life Of Chaucer

Chaucer boyhood was spent in London, near the river of Thames Street, where the world trade and commerce were on peak. As he saw and came across daily with shipmen of the Canterbury tales. Remember that no one know the exact about his education except that he was a good reader. His father was a wine merchant and relation with traders and royal families. As result in the age of seventeen Chaucer made page to Princess Elizabeth. As we know that his connection with court, forty years under the three different kings of that time.

At the age of nineteen he went with King and others of the hundred year war. They saw chivalry and other weapons of the medival wars. He was in jailed too and ransomed by money.

In 1370 he was sent to foreign for sometime. This was his first  diplomatic mission that was a great part of his fifteen years in Italy. This period was most rapid development and his literary power especially Italian Literary. It was much influenced by Italian Literature.

In 1386 he was elected as member of parliament from Kent which was most busy in public affairs time but his attachment still with books.

He died 1400 and buried with honor in Westminster Abbey.

 

Works Of Chaucer

ð  First Period Works

• Romaunt De La Rose

• Dethe Of Blanche

• ABC

 

ð  Second Period Works

• Troilus And Crisede

• House Of Fame

• Legend Of Good Women

 

ð  Third Period Works

• Canterbury Tales