40 Questions
What were the two branches of the language found by Chaucer?
Teutonic, spoken by the people, and French, spoken by the learned and the noble
What was the result of Chaucer's writing on the language of England?
There was practically but one speech, and one people
In what year was Geoffrey Chaucer believed to have been born?
1328
Where is Chaucer generally believed to have been born?
London
Why did Leland have opportunities to get at the truth about Chaucer's birth?
Henry VIII had him search for records of public interest in the archives of the religious houses during the suppression of the monasteries
What was the relation between the two tongues in England before Chaucer wrote?
They were half-hostile, keeping alive the feuds and resentments of cruel centuries
What was Chaucer's social status?
A scholar, a courtier, and a man conversant with all orders of society
What did Chaucer's writing create?
A magical amalgamant which made the two half-hostile elements unite and interpenetrate each other
What does the phrase 'departure from the dramatic assumption' refer to in Chaucer's writings?
A sudden shift from the dramatic narrative to the poet's own voice or perspective.
In The Wife of Bath's Prologue, what does the poet do after the Wife's statement about women's ability to swear and lie?
The poet interposes two lines in his own person, qualifying the Wife's statement.
What does the poet describe in the Prologue to the 'Legend of Good Women'?
A daisy, which is a symbol of light and guidance in a dark world.
What is the main purpose of compressing the poem in this volume?
To save the reader the trouble of wading through unessential passages for the enjoyment of Spencer's allegory.
Who is the 'worthy clerk' mentioned by the Clerk of Oxford in the passage?
Francis Petrarch, the Italian poet.
How does the editor hope readers will respond to the condensed precis?
The editor hopes that readers will appreciate the effort to save them trouble.
What is the significance of Petrarch's death in the passage?
It adds a personal touch to the narrative, suggesting that Chaucer is speaking in his own person.
Why did the editor choose not to retain the ancient orthography?
To make the text accessible to popular readers.
Why is the Clerk's sorrowful tone in describing Petrarch's death intelligible?
Because it is likely that Chaucer is speaking in his own person, and is genuinely grieving the loss of his Italian contemporary.
What is the editor's goal in presenting the text of Chaucer's works?
To make Chaucer's works more understandable to readers without prior knowledge of the English language of his time.
What is the implication of the Clerk's statement that he learned a tale from Petrarch at Padova?
That Chaucer himself may have learned from Petrarch, and is drawing on his own experiences.
What does the editor mean by 'not modernising' Chaucer's work?
Not replacing Chaucer's words with modern equivalents or translating his work into modern English.
What is the significance of the date mentioned in the passage, July 1374?
It is the date of Petrarch's death, which had a significant impact on Chaucer.
In what cases did the editor retain the old spelling or form?
When it was essential to the metre, rhyme, or meaning of the text.
What is the 'raison d'etre' of this volume?
To make Chaucer's works accessible to popular readers.
What is the outcome of retaining the ancient orthography in Chaucer's works?
Chaucer's works remain not widely understood by the general public.
What was the approximate salary of Chaucer in his department in the London Customs?
L36, 10s. per annum
What was the surname of the Duke's children by Katherine Swynford?
Beaufort
Who legitimated the children of Katherine Swynford and the Duke of Hereford?
Richard II
What was the title given to the eldest son of the poet's sister-in-law?
Earl of Somerset
Who was the wife of Thomas Chaucer, according to the text?
Maud, the second daughter and co-heiress of Sir John Burghersh
What position did Thomas Chaucer hold under Richard II?
Chief Butler
What was the name of the castle where the Duke's children by Katherine Swynford were born?
Beaufort (or Belfort)
Who wrote the Treatise on the Astrolabe, and for whom was it written?
Geoffrey Chaucer, for his son Lewis
What is the main purpose of the Editor's plan for presenting Chaucer's works?
To introduce readers to the salient works of England's first great bard
What is the significance of Chaucer's translation of Boethius' Treatise on the Consolation of Philosophy?
It is one of Chaucer's prose works
What is the importance of the terminal 'e' in Chaucer's verses?
It affects the meter and grammar of his poetry
Why is it necessary to consider the terminal 'e' when reading Chaucer's poetry?
Because it is still valid in French poetry and affects the meter of his lines
What type of meter did Chaucer introduce into English literature?
The decasyllabic or heroic meter
What is the significance of Chaucer's Treatise on the Astrolabe?
It was written for the use of his son Lewis
What is the style of Chaucer's poetry in 'The House of Fame' and 'Chaucer's Dream'?
Octosyllabic measure
Why is Chaucer's 'Testament of Love' considered a reflection of his later years?
It reflects the troubles that beset the poet during that time
Study Notes
Geoffrey Chaucer and His Works
- The poem is condensed into two-thirds of its original space, with less interesting passages represented by a condensed prose outline.
- The text of Chaucer's works, especially The Canterbury Tales, is presented in 19th-century garb, but without modernizing Chaucer's words or replacing them with modern English.
Chaucer's Life and Language
- Chaucer was born in 1328, most likely in London.
- He was a scholar, courtier, and conversant with all orders of society, which influenced his writing style.
- Chaucer's language was a mix of Teutonic and French, which made the two languages unite and interpenetrate each other.
- Before Chaucer wrote, there were two tongues in England, but after he wrote, there was practically one speech and one people.
Chaucer's Writing Style
- Chaucer sometimes departed from his dramatic assumption, as seen in The Wife of Bath's Prologue, where he inserts his own voice.
- He also addressed his lady directly, as seen in the Prologue to the "Legend of Good Women".
- Chaucer's persona sometimes merged with his characters, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.
Chaucer's Influences
- Chaucer was influenced by Francis Petrarch, an Italian poet, whose death in 1374 affected Chaucer deeply.
- Chaucer's writing was also influenced by Boethius' Treatise on the Consolation of Philosophy, which he translated.
Chaucer's Prose Works
- Chaucer wrote several prose works, including a translation of Boethius' Treatise, a Treatise on the Astrolabe, and the "Testament of Love".
- These works are not included in this volume, but are an important part of Chaucer's oeuvre.
Chaucer's Legacy
- Chaucer's writing introduced a new form of poetry, with a decasyllabic and heroic metre, which he introduced into English literature.
- Chaucer's use of the terminal "e" is important for scansion and grammar, and is still valid in French poetry.
- Chaucer's work is still widely read and studied today, and is considered an important part of English literary history.
This quiz discusses the methodology of condensing poetry into a shorter form while preserving the original meaning and words. It also touches on the importance of critical judgment when reading condensed versions of poetry.
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