Letteratura inglese - Geoffry Chauce:, life and works

Geoffry Chaucer: life and works!

!

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London, the

son of a wine merchant, and very little is

known about his early life. in 1357 he

became a page to the countess of ulster

and in 1359, during the hundred years’ war,

he fought in France, was taken prisoner, but

was rescued in 1360. once home he

entered the king’s service and married into

the family of his patron, John of Gaunt,

Duke of Lancaster. Chaucer led a very

active political life. He was sent abroad on

several missions: to Flanders, France and

Italy where he may have met Petrarch. In

England Chaucer held several important

posts: he was appointed controller of customs in the port of London, a justice of the

peace in Kent and a representative of Kent in Parliament. Chaucer’s fortunes,

however, fluctuated during the last period of his life: his appointments were tank

from him for various reasons, leaving him in distress. He regained the favor of the

Court in 1399 when Henry, the son of John of Gaunt, became King as Henry IV and

he was therefore able to spend his last months in comfort. Chaucer died in 1400

and was buried in Westminster Abbey, in that part which has since been called the

“Poets’ Corner”.!

!

We know nothing about Chaucer’s formal education, but he must have read many

romances and chronicles and learnt a lot about the aristocracy through his contacts

with the Court. He must also have studied the literature, art and science of France

and Italy during his journeys to these countries.!

Chaucer’s works are generally divided into three periods: French, Italian and

English. Two of his works belong to the first period. They are written in octosyllabic

couplets and show the influence of French into English of Le Roman de la Rose by