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Questions and Answers
What title is Geoffrey Chaucer commonly referred to as?
What was Chaucer's occupation besides being a poet?
Where was Chaucer taken prisoner in 1359?
Who did Chaucer possibly meet during his diplomatic missions to Italy?
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Where is Chaucer buried?
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At what age did Chaucer receive a court appointment as page to the wife of the Duke of Clarence?
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What is Geoffrey Chaucer famous for?
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What is the name of the century in which Chaucer lived?
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What was the social and economic impact of the Black Death?
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What is the name of the dialect that has become the standard English tongue?
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What is the characteristic of the literary features of Chaucer's age?
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What is a notable feature of the authors of the time?
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Study Notes
Geoffrey Chaucer's Life
- Born in 1340 and died in 1400
- Lived through the reign of Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV
- Considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages
- Known as the "father of English literature" or "father of English poetry"
- First writer to be buried in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey
- Had a career in the civil service as a bureaucrat, courtier, diplomat, and member of parliament
Chaucer's Career
- At 17, received a court appointment as page to the wife of the Duke of Clarence
- Fought in the English army in France, taken prisoner, and later ransomed
- Became valet of the king's chamber after returning to England
- Often entrusted with diplomatic missions on the continent, including Italy
- Brought into direct touch with Italian culture during the early Renaissance
- May have met Petrarch and Boccaccio during his travels
The Age of Chaucer
- The 14th century is known as the Age of Chaucer
- A time of transition from medieval to modern times
- A great age of Enlightenment and Prosperity
- Initially, people in England were dissatisfied with religious, political, and social principles
Historical Background
- The period includes the reign of Edward III and the French wars
- Accession of Richard II in 1377 and the revolution of 1399
- Deposition of Richard and the foundation of the Lancastrian dynasty
- Social and intellectual movements of the period, including the Black Death and the growth of the spirit of inquiry
Literary Features of the Age
- The standardization of English, with the East Midland speech becoming the standard language
- Amalgamation of French and English to form the standard English tongue
- A sharper spirit of criticism and a more searching interest in man's affairs
- Less childlike faith in, and a less complacent acceptance of, the established order
- The vogue of the romance is passing, and the drama is being foreshadowed
- The age of anonymity is passing away, with more named authors appearing
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Description
Learn about the life and works of Geoffrey Chaucer, considered the father of English literature. This unit covers Chaucer's life, his poetry, and his significance in English literature.
