29. Geoffrey Chaucer’s contribution to English literature.
Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400), was an English author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat, courtier and diplomat. However, he is most remembered as the author of The Canterbury Tales which ranks as one of the greatest epic works of world literature. His literary output and introduced innovations made him a father of English literature.
List of his elements which contributed to English literature:
Modern English Chaucer started to use English in literary works at the time when much court poetry was still written in Anglo-Norman or Latin. He patriotically confined himself to using the East Midland dialect of English that was spoken in London. However, Chaucer claimed that it lacked words so he in a way modified it. He brought sth of French elegance and established new literary traditions. Moreover, the lg he created and used in his works was for the first time named a ‘modern’ one. S
Renaissance ideas he introduced them in English literature. E.g. human is in the centre, it is the most interesting and complex creature, worth writing about it; looking at the ancient ideas, philosophy.
Frame structure he borrowed it from his ‘master’ Boccaccio. Each story has its own prologue; there are different narrators for each one. The whole work is completed by general prologue.
Linguistics he introduced metrical innovation e.g. rhyme royal (stanza consists of seven lines, usually in iambic pentameter; the rhyme scheme is a-b-a-b-b-c-c) and was one of the first English poets to use the 5stress line.
Consistency Chaucer was very consistent as far as the pronunciation and grammar is concerned. He stacked to his pattern and tried to avoid any deviations.
Narration Chaucer’s experience as a customs officer and merchant undoubtedly contributed to development of his observational skills. He was a brilliant and patient observer with fabulous memory of details. Therefore, his peculiar form of narration is regarded as one of the greatest ever. Chaucer’s perfectly describes the pilgrim’s facial features, the clothes they wear, the foods they eat, things they say, the work they do. All those elements are clues not only to their social rank but to their moral and spiritual condition and, throughout the accumulation of detail, to the condition of late-medieval society, of which, collectively they are representatives. So, we may conclude that Chaucer not only contributes to English literature by his form of narration, but also by creating a wide panorama of society.