Life and Literary Development
Geoffrey Chaucer's journey from middle-class Londoner to literary giant shaped medieval English literature. His life experiences, including capture in France and diplomatic missions, enriched his literary perspective.
Highlight: Chaucer's literary career evolved through three distinct phases: French, Italian, and English.
Example: During his French phase, Chaucer translated "Le Roman de la Rose," demonstrating his early interest in courtly love poetry.
Definition: The term "father of English poetry" refers to Chaucer's foundational role in establishing English as a legitimate literary language.
The Canterbury Tales represents the pinnacle of Chaucer's achievement, showcasing his mastery of narrative technique and character development. The framework involves thirty pilgrims traveling to Canterbury, each meant to tell four tales.
Quote: "The Canterbury Tales is one of the major works in English literature."
Vocabulary: Iambic pentameter - the five-stress line pattern Chaucer introduced to English poetry.