As will have been noticed, literary tradition in Britain was greatly influenced by French authors and much court poetry was written in Anglo-Norman and Latin in the Middle Ages. Therefore, Geoffrey Chaucer’s work is recognised as a crucial contribution to English Literature because his confidence in the English language encouraged his followers and imitators also to write in English and speeded the transition from French as the language of literature. Chaucer is also said to be the creator of English versification.
The son of a wealthy merchant, Chaucer spent his life in close association with the ruling nobility of the kingdom. His occupations included diplomatic missions, parliamentary work and administrative work for the king. He was recognised as a great poet during his lifetime.
Chaucer’s initial works include “The Book of Duchess”, “The house of Fame”, “Troilus and Criseyde” and “The Legend of Good Women”. The first of these shows the influence of French poets while the rest are characterised by exploring classical instances from Italian works, like that of the story of Troilus and Criseyde. The Canterbury Tales, on the other hand, is built on a framework which he invented, a pilgrimage.
The son of a wealthy merchant, Chaucer spent his life in close association with the ruling nobility of the kingdom. His occupations included diplomatic missions, parliamentary work and administrative work for the king. He was recognised as a great poet during his lifetime.
Chaucer’s initial works include “The Book of Duchess”, “The house of Fame”, “Troilus and Criseyde” and “The Legend of Good Women”. The first of these shows the influence of French poets while the rest are characterised by exploring classical instances from Italian works, like that of the story of Troilus and Criseyde. The Canterbury Tales, on the other hand, is built on a framework which he invented, a pilgrimage.