Paper No :105 - History of English literature - From 1350 to 1900
Assignment- Paper No: 105
This Blog is an Assignment of paper no.: 5 History of English Literature - From 1350 to 1900. In this assignment I am dealing with the topic " Life of Chaucer".
Name: Khushi D. Makwana
Paper 105: History of English Literature - From 1350 to 1900
Subject Code: 22396
Topic Name: Life of Chaucer
Batch: M.A. Sem-1 (2024 -25)
Roll No: 10
Enrollment No: 5108240019
Email Address: khushimakwana639@gmail.com
Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Gardi, Department of English, M.K.B.U
💠Life Of Chaucer :
🔸Introduction :
Geoffrey Chaucer, often hailed as the "father of English literature," was a central figure in the development of English poetry and a pivotal literary figure of the late Middle Ages. His life spanned the 14th century, a time of political upheaval, social transformation, and literary flourishing. Through his works, Chaucer helped to elevate the English vernacular and made substantial contributions to the development of English as a literary language. His most famous work, The Canterbury Tales, remains one of the cornerstones of English literature. This essay will explore Chaucer's life, his career, and his literary legacy.
🔸Early Life and Background :
Geoffrey Chaucer was born around 1343, likely in London. His family background, though not noble, was relatively respectable. His father, John Chaucer, was a wine merchant, and his mother, Agnes, may have come from a family of some wealth and status. Chaucer’s exact birth date is uncertain, but he is thought to have been born in the early 1340s, likely around 1343 or 1344. His family’s position in London’s mercantile class likely exposed him to both the burgeoning urban culture and the more prestigious social circles that would later inform his writing.
Chaucer’s early education is somewhat obscure, but it is generally believed that he was educated in a manner appropriate for someone of his class. He would have had some access to formal schooling, and it is likely that he received instruction in Latin, which was essential for anyone pursuing a career in the church or government during the period. It is also possible that Chaucer was educated at the St. Paul’s Cathedral School, where Latin and other academic subjects were taught.
🔸Early Career and Diplomatic Work:
Chaucer’s first known public service position came in 1357, when he became a page in the household of the Countess of Ulster, who was married to Lionel of Antwerp, the second son of King Edward III. This position exposed Chaucer to the royal court and its intrigues, which would later become key themes in his writing. By 1366, Chaucer had married Philippa Roet, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Philippa of Hainault, the wife of King Edward III. Philippa’s family connections helped Chaucer gain access to the royal court, and she brought with her a dowry, which, along with his growing prominence, placed Chaucer in increasingly influential circles.
Chaucer’s career as a civil servant began in earnest around 1367, when he was appointed as a controller of customs for the port of London. This job, which he held for several years, involved overseeing the collection of customs duties on wool, hides, and other goods entering or leaving England. His position as customs controller gave him a solid income and further connections with the English ruling class. Chaucer was also involved in diplomatic missions throughout his life. Between the 1370s and 1380s, he was sent on several diplomatic missions to France, Flanders, and Italy. These trips not only expanded his knowledge of European culture and politics but also introduced him to important literary traditions, particularly those of France and Italy.
In the course of his diplomatic work, Chaucer encountered important figures such as Petrarch and Boccaccio, whose works would have a significant influence on his own writing. The influence of Italian literature, particularly Boccaccio’s Decameron, is most evident in The Canterbury Tales, where Chaucer adapted and incorporated elements of both Italian storytelling and structure.
🔸Writing and Major Works :
Chaucer’s literary career began in the 1360s, with his earliest surviving works including The Book of the Duchess (c. 1369), which was written in honor of the death of Blanche of Lancaster, the wife of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. The poem is an allegorical dream vision, a popular genre of the time, and demonstrates Chaucer's ability to blend narrative storytelling with deeper themes of love, grief, and personal reflection.
Chaucer's next major work, The House of Fame (c. 1379–1380), continued his experimentation with dream visions. In this work, he explores the nature of fame and how stories are spread and distorted. The poem is notable for its rich symbolism and its examination of the media and public opinion a theme that remains relevant even today.
Perhaps Chaucer's most famous early work is Troilus and Criseyde (c. 1382), a long narrative poem based on the story of the Trojan War. It draws heavily on the writings of the Italian poet Boccaccio, particularly his Filostrato. The poem explores themes of love, fate, and human agency, and it is considered one of the great medieval love stories. Through this work, Chaucer demonstrated his skill at blending classical mythology, medieval romance, and psychological insight.
🔸The Canterbury Tales :
Chaucer’s most significant work, The Canterbury Tales, was likely written between 1387 and 1400, though it was never completed. The work consists of a frame narrative in which a group of pilgrims journey to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. Along the way, each pilgrim tells a story, leading to a total of 24 tales (though Chaucer originally planned for 120). The tales vary widely in form, genre, and tone, ranging from humorous and bawdy stories to serious moral or philosophical reflections.
The Canterbury Tales is remarkable not only for its variety of genres and characters but also for the vividness with which it depicts a cross-section of English society. Chaucer’s pilgrims come from different walks of life, including a knight, a miller, a wife of Bath, a monk, a prioress, and a merchant, among others. Each character is distinct, and their stories reflect their personal values, concerns, and experiences. The characters often speak in their own dialects and accents, reflecting the diversity of medieval England.
The work is notable for its exploration of human nature, social class, and the complexities of medieval life. The stories within The Canterbury Tales reveal Chaucer's keen insight into human behavior and his ability to blend humor with social critique. For example, the Wife of Bath’s Tale explores the theme of marriage and gender roles, while the Pardoner’s Tale offers a scathing critique of religious corruption.
The framing device of the pilgrimage also allows Chaucer to comment on the act of storytelling itself, as the pilgrims’ interactions and exchanges reveal much about their personalities and beliefs. In this way, The Canterbury Tales functions as a microcosm of medieval society and provides a complex and multi-layered exploration of human experience.
🔸Later Life and Death :
Chaucer's later years were marked by a decline in his official duties and personal fortunes. In the 1390s, he experienced a series of political and financial setbacks. His position as controller of customs was removed after accusations of corruption, though he was later granted a pension by King Richard II, possibly in recognition of his literary achievements.
Chaucer’s later works, including The Parson’s Tale and The Tale of Melibee, show a shift toward more moral and religious themes. These works are less focused on the social critique and humor of The Canterbury Tales and are more concerned with ethical teachings and spiritual reflections. It is also during this time that Chaucer began to write in a more personal and introspective style, as seen in his Treatise on the Astrolabe, which is a scientific and philosophical work directed at his young son, Lewis Chaucer.
Chaucer died in 1400, likely in the month of October, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. His tomb became one of the most visited sites in London, as pilgrims came to pay homage to the man who had immortalized the act of pilgrimage in literature. Chaucer's grave is located in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey, where other famous English writers are buried.
🔸Legacy and Influence :
Geoffrey Chaucer's legacy is profound and enduring. His works, especially The Canterbury Tales, laid the foundation for the development of English literature. His innovative use of the English vernacular at a time when Latin and French dominated literary expression was a crucial step in the elevation of English as a language of culture and intellectual discourse. Chaucer’s use of rhyme, meter, and the variety of genres and voices in The Canterbury Tales also set a standard for later poets, such as Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare.
Chaucer’s influence extended beyond his own time. In the centuries following his death, his works were read, adapted, and imitated by writers across Europe. His legacy is not only literary but also cultural, as his works offer a window into the social and political life of the late Middle Ages. His complex, multi-layered narratives and his ability to capture the diversity of human experience continue to resonate with readers today.
🔸Conclusion :
Geoffrey Chaucer was a pioneering figure in the development of English literature. Born into a modest but respectable family in 14th-century London, he rose to prominence through his service to the royal court and his contributions to poetry, narrative, and social commentary. Through works such as The Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde, and The Book of the Duchess, Chaucer explored the complexities of love, society, and human nature, leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence writers and readers alike.
Chaucer's life was marked by a deep engagement with both the political and cultural currents of his time, and his writing reflects a keen awareness of the world around him. He transcended the limitations of his era by using the English vernacular in ways that set a precedent for future generations of writers. His legacy as the "father of English literature" is secure, and his works remain an essential part of the literary canon.
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