I. 1 Geoffrey Chaucer and his biography…

Death

The legendary 14th century English poet Geoffrey Chaucer died October 25, 1400 in London, England. He died of unknown causes and was 60 years old at the time. Chaucer was buried in Westminster Abbey. His gravestone became the center of what was to be called Poet’s Corner, a spot where such famous British writers as Robert Browning and Charles Dickens were later honored and interred.


II.2 Life and works of Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer’s association with politics and visits to various places provided him materials for his writings. His literary career formally began when the Duke of Lancaster asked him to pen down a memorial poem for his deceased wife. Following his wish, Chaucer composed a poem, The Book for Duchess that was regarded as a fitting memorial to the highest-ranking women of English royalties. His other long poem, Troilus and Criseyde, a tragedy, was written in the background of the Trojan War. However, his best known and acclaimed work, The Canterbury Tales, appeared in 1476. The book presents the journey of certain characters to the holy shrine of St. Thomas Becket, where each pilgrim is supposed to tell a tale that links it to the prologue and epilogue. Besides producing these literary wonders, he also tried his hands on nonfiction. His essay, A Treatise on the Astrolabe, shows writing qualities.
His Style
Chaucer has mesmerized generations with his unique, elegant, and fascinating writing approach, showing influences of French literature, Biblical History, and Old English Literature. He demonstrates his powerful imagination and creative approach through simple yet effective and persuasive language. For example, Parliament of Fouls shows the use of literary elements like satire, irony, and allegory when he presents courtly love. In his narrative poem, Troilus and Criseyde, he has used rime royal, a technique that involves rhyming stanzas consisting of seven lines each. Similarly, In The Legend of Good Woman, he introduces another innovative format: the text comprising iambic pentameter couplets and a series of short narratives. Some of his major thematic strands are Christianity, corruption in Church, good versus evil, lies and deception, justice and judgment, courtly love, sexual desire, religion, and rivalry. However, for literary devices, he resorts to irony and satire.
Some Important Works of Geoffrey Chaucer

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