Geoffrey Chaucer (8) Poem by Sylvia Frances Chan

GEOFFREY CHAUCER (8)

Whoever writes poems in the English language,
we have to do with the correct English Language and its Literature,
That started with Geoffrey Chaucer and NONE ELSE.

The story about Troilus and Criseyde is often regarded as Chaucer's best work,
even if it is less well-known than The Canterbury Tales.
It tells the story of the love between
the Trojan prince Troilus and Criseyde,
the daughter of a priest who has defected to the Greeks,
against the backdrop of the battle for Troy.

The Canterbury Tales is Chaucer's most famous,
though unfinished, work.
It is composed of a series of stories of pilgrims
making their pilgrimage
from Southwark in London to Thomas Becket's grave
in Canterbury Cathedral.

Not every citizen in the England of Geoffrey Chaucer could use this difficult language, and so most of the citizens in his time were using their "own language". A mixture of French and Latin

Now we will talk about the language and form:

Before Chaucer began writing, the English language had been used in prose and poetry for at least six centuries, albeit with ups and downs.

During the 14th century, English was increasingly used in all aspects of daily life. It was therefore natural for Chaucer to write in English, although some of his contemporaries, in particular his friend John Gower, also used French and Latin.
The Hengwrt Chaucer manuscript, which is closest to Chaucer's own spelling, shows that he used a standardized variety of English, which was also used in business and at court in London and Westminster.

Chaucer himself drew attention in Troilus and Criseyde to the fact that there were many dialects of English in his day.

And for ther (there) is so great diversity
In English and in writing of our tonge (tongue)

A large number of words and expressions,
many of French origin, were first recorded in his work.
Chaucer showed that English could be written with grace and power in the 14th century,
there were two common ways of composing verse in English.

Next Sequel you'll read more about the most important facts in his life, see you!

©Sylvia Frances Chan - All Rights Reserved
Monday 4 September 2023