Question

Write a 500 word essay on Geoffrey Chaucer

Answer 1

Geoffrey Chaucer (/ˈtʃɔːsər/; c. 1343 – 25 October 1400) was an English poet and author. Widely considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages, he is best known for The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer has been styled the "Father of English literature" and was the first writer buried in Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey.[1]

Chaucer also achieved fame in his lifetime as a philosopher and astronomer, composing the scientific A Treatise on the Astrolabe for his 10 year-old son Lewis. He maintained an active career in the civil service as a bureaucrat, courtier, and diplomat. Among Chaucer's many other works are The Book of the Duchess, The House of Fame, The Legend of Good Women, and Troilus and Criseyde. He is seen as crucial in legitimising the literary use of the Middle English vernacular at a time when the dominant literary languages in England were still French and Latin.

Chaucer was born in London sometime around 1343, though the precise date and location remain unknown. His father and grandfather were both London vintners, and several previous generations had been merchants in Ipswich. His family name is derived from the French chausseur, meaning "shoemaker".[2] In 1324, his father John Chaucer was kidnapped by an aunt in the hope of marrying the 12 year-old to her daughter in an attempt to keep property in Ipswich. The aunt was imprisoned and fined £250, equivalent to £200,000 today,[3] which suggests that the family was financially secure.[4] John Chaucer married Agnes Copton who inherited properties in 1349, including 24 shops in London from her uncle Hamo de Copton, who is described in a will dated 3 April 1354 and listed in the City Hustings Roll as "moneyer", said to be moneyer at the Tower of London. In the City Hustings Roll 110, 5, Ric II, dated June 1380, Chaucer refers to himself as me Galfridum Chaucer, filium Johannis Chaucer, Vinetarii, Londonie ("Geoffrey Chaucer, son of John Chaucer, vintner, London").

In 1359, in the early stages of the Hundred Years' War, Edward III invaded France and Chaucer travelled with Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence, Elizabeth's husband, as part of the English army. In 1360, he was captured during the siege of Rheims. Edward paid £16 for his ransom,[7] a considerable sum, and Chaucer was released.

Chaucer crest A unicorn's head with canting arms of Roet below: Gules, three Catherine Wheels or (French rouet = "spinning wheel"). Ewelme Church, Oxfordshire. Possibly funeral helm of his son Thomas Chaucer

After this, Chaucer's life is uncertain, but he seems to have travelled in France, Spain, and Flanders, possibly as a messenger and perhaps even going on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Around 1366, Chaucer married Philippa (de) Roet. She was a lady-in-waiting to Edward III's queen, Philippa of Hainault, and a sister of Katherine Swynford, who later (c. 1396) became the third wife of John of Gaunt. It is uncertain how many children Chaucer and Philippa had, but three or four are most commonly cited. His son, Thomas Chaucer, had an illustrious career, as chief butler to four kings, envoy to France, and Speaker of the House of Commons. Thomas's daughter, Alice, married the Duke of Suffolk. Thomas's great-grandson (Geoffrey's great-great-grandson), John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, was the heir to the throne designated by Richard III before he was deposed. Geoffrey's other children probably included Elizabeth Chaucy, a nun at Barking Abbey,[8][9] Agnes, an attendant at Henry IV's coronation; and another son, Lewis Chaucer. Chaucer's "Treatise on the Astrolabe" was written for Lewis.[10]

According to tradition, Chaucer studied law in the Inner Temple (an Inn of Court) at this time. He became a member of the royal court of Edward III as a valet de chambre, yeoman, or esquire on 20 June 1367, a position which could entail a wide variety of tasks. His wife also received a pension for court employment. He travelled abroad many times, at least some of them in his role as a valet. In 1368, he may have attended the wedding of Lionel of Antwerp to Violante Visconti, daughter of Galeazzo II Visconti, in Milan.

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Answer 2

Geoffrey Chaucer is renowned as the father of English literature, most famous for “The Canterbury Tales.” He introduced vernacular English into the literary world and his works are characterized by keen observations of human nature expressed through a diverse tapestry of characters. Chaucer's legacy is a pivotal foundation for English poetry and narrative, making him an enduring figure in the literary canon.

Geoffrey Chaucer, often considered the father of English literature, revolutionized the literary world of the Middle Ages with his most famous work, “The Canterbury Tales.” Chaucer was born around 1343 and led a prolific career as a courtier, diplomat, and writer. He introduced the vernacular English to a literary world that was dominated by French and Latin, making literature more accessible to the wider English-speaking populace.

As a figure in the court of King Edward III, Chaucer was not only exposed to the political and cultural influences of his time, but he also absorbed various narrative forms and literary styles through his travels in France and Italy. These experiences informed Chaucer's work, particularly visible in his use of the iambic pentameter and rhyme royal. Despite his engaging career and the travails of court life, Chaucer's keen observations of human nature and his humorous take on societal norms are what resonate through his tales.

The structure of “The Canterbury Tales” presents a diverse group of characters, each telling stories reflective of their individual backgrounds and societal positions. This narrative device allowed Chaucer to explore a variety of themes, from the nobility's valor to the clergy's corruption, and from the trials of love to the virtues of common sense.

Chaucer's influence on the English language and its literature cannot be overstated. His work paved the way for future writers, setting a standard for the use of the English vernacular. Additionally, by writing in English, Chaucer elevated the language to one of literary prestige and cultural significance, which had enduring effects into the Renaissance and beyond. The Canterbury Tales is not just a collection of stories, but a potent social commentary, offering a snapshot of 14th-century English society and the richness of its vernacular.

In conclusion, Geoffrey Chaucer's legacy endures as he laid the foundation for English poetry and narrative; his stories transcend time and continue to charm and inform modern readers. Through his mastery of verse and narrative, his witty characterizations, and his critical social observations, Chaucer remains relevant in the literary canon, and his contributions are a cornerstone of English literature.