Geoffrey Chaucer's Influence on English Literature

Chaucer's Works and Themes

• The recurring theme of morality and corruption is highlighted in 'The Pardoner's Tale' and 'The Friar's Tale'.

Historical Context

• The historical movement that challenged the authority and practices of the Catholic Church during Chaucer's time was the Protestant Reformation.
• Chaucer lived during a period of social, political, and religious upheaval, characterized by the Late Middle Ages.

Chaucer's Life and Influences

• Chaucer's experiences as a civil servant influenced his literary work, providing him with insight into the human condition.
• Major events that shaped Chaucer's life and poetry include the Black Death, a pandemic that devastated Europe, and the social, political, and religious upheaval of the Late Middle Ages.

Chaucer's Literary Contributions

• Chaucer innovated and helped popularize Middle English as a literary medium.
• He developed a distinctively English poetic style during the Late Middle Ages.
• Chaucer did not delve into the genre of drama in his literary works.

Impact of the Black Death

• The Black Death, a pandemic that devastated Europe, had a significant impact on Chaucer's poetry, influencing his themes and literary style.
• The period in which Chaucer lived was marked by natural calamities like the Black Death, which had a profound impact on society and literature.

Chaucer's Works

• Significant works mentioned in the text that are associated with Geoffrey Chaucer include 'The Pardoner's Tale' and 'The Friar's Tale'.

Explore the impact of natural calamities, corruption, and reformation on Geoffrey Chaucer's life and poetry. This essay will delve into each period of his literary career, focusing on significant works and the societal changes that shaped his writing.