GEOFFREY CHAUCER

1. What is Geoffrey Chaucer often called?

Geoffrey Chaucer is often called “the Father of English poetry”, the first great writer in English.

2. When did his connection with the royal court begin?

Geoffrey was connected with the royal court in London in various ways. Firstly, he became a servant in the household of one of the king’s daughters-in-law. Secondly, he served as a soldier in the war in France. Thirdly, he worked in the King’s household and was in contact with the sophisticated society of the court. Fourthly, he married Philippa, a lady-in-waiting (companion) to the Queen with whom he had at least two sons. One of them, Thomas Chaucer, became one of the richest men in England. Therefore, Geoffrey became also closely connected to the powerful family of the Duke of Lancaster and wrote a famous poem on the death of the Duchess.

3. How does Chaucer describe himself?

He describes himself as a man with a modest, simple personality.

4. What are many of this works about?

Many of Chaucer’s works are about love and marriage, in particular about the equality of men and women. Apparently, he also writes some anti-religious stories at the end of The Canterbury Tales.

5. What works did he come into contact with when he was in Italy?

In 1379 he came into contact with the works of Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch. Later on, his works were very influenced by them. For instance, The Canterbury Tales is based upon Boccaccio’s Decameron, a collection of hundred stories told by ten young people.

6. What was his ambition for the English language?

His ambition was to stablish English as a language to write poetry in, in the same way as Dante previously did in Italian language.

7. How much of his original project for The Canterbury Tales did he complete?

The Canterbury Tales has never been completed. Initially, it was a huge project which would have included 120 stories if it had been finished. However, he only wrote twenty four.