Chaucer

Chaucer was born circa 1343 in London,his name is derived from the French chausseur, meaning shoemaker. There are few details of Chaucer's early life and education but compared with near contemporary poets, William Langland and the Pearl Poet, his life is well documented, with nearly five hundred written items testifying to his career. The first time he is mentioned is in 1357, in the household accounts of Elizabeth de Burgh, the Countess of Ulster, when he became the noblewoman's page through his father's connections. He also worked as a courtier, a diplomat, and a civil servant, as well as working for the king, collecting and inventorying scrap metal.

Chaucer's first major work, The Book of the Duchess, was an elegy for Blanche of Lancaster. It is possible that this work was commissioned by her husband John of Gaunt, as he granted Chaucer a ￡10 annuity on 13 June 1374. This would seem to place the writing of The Book of the Duchess between the years 1369 and 1374. Two other early works by Chaucer were Anelida and Arcite and The House of Fame. Chaucer wrote many of his major works in a prolific period when he held the job of customs comptroller for London. His Parlement of Foules, The Legend of Good Women and Troilus and Criseyde all date from this time. Also it is believed that he started work on The Canterbury Tales in the early 1380s. Chaucer is best known as the writer of The Canterbury Tales, which is a collection of stories told by fictional pilgrims on the road to the cathedral at Canterbury; these tales would help to shape English literature.

Chaucer also translated such important works as Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy and The Romance of the Rose by Guillaume de Lorris. However, while many scholars maintain that Chaucer did indeed translate part of the text of Roman de la Rose as The Romaunt of the Rose, others claim that this has been effectively disproved. Many of his other works were very loose translations of, or simply based on, works from continental Europe. It is in this role that Chaucer receives some of his earliest critical praise. Eustache Deschamps wrote a ballade on the great translator and called himself a "nettle in Chaucer's garden of poetry".Chaucer wrote in continental accentual-syllabic meter, a style which had developed since around the twelfth century as an alternative to the alliterative

Anglo-Saxon metre. Chaucer is known for metrical innovation, inventing the rhyme royal, and he was one of the first English poets to use the five-stress line, a decasyllabic cousin to the iambic pentameter, in his work, with only a few anonymous short works using it before him.[16] The arrangement of these five-stress lines into rhyming couplets, first seen in his The Legend of Good Women, was used in much of his later work and became one of the standard poetic forms in English. His early influence as a satirist is also important, with the common humorous device, the funny accent of a regional dialect, apparently making its first appearance in The Reeve's Tale.

The poetry of Chaucer, along with other writers of the era, is credited with helping to standardise the London Dialect of the Middle English language from a combination of the Kentish and Midlands dialects. This is probably overstated; the influence of the court, chancery and bureaucracy—of which Chaucer was a part—remains a more probable influence on the development of Standard English. Modern English is somewhat distanced from the language of Chaucer's poems owing to the effect of the Great Vowel Shift some time after his death. This change in the pronunciation of English, still not fully understood, makes the reading of Chaucer difficult for the modern audience, though it is thought by some that the modern Scottish accent is closely related to the sound of Middle English. The status of the final in Chaucer's verse is uncertain: it seems likely that during the period of Chaucer's writing the final was dropping out of colloquial English and that its use was somewhat irregular. Chaucer's versification suggests that the final is sometimes to be vocalised, and sometimes to be silent; however, this remains a point on which there is disagreement. When it is vocalised, most scholars pronounce it as a schwa. Apart from the irregular spelling, much of the vocabulary is recognisable to the modern reader. Chaucer is also recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary as the first author to use many common English words in his writings. These words were probably frequently used in the language at the time but Chaucer, with his ear for common speech, is the earliest manuscript source. Acceptable, alkali, altercation, amble, angrily, annex, annoyance, approaching, arbitration, armless, army, arrogant, arsenic, arc, artillery and aspect are just some of the many English words first attested in Chaucer.

Widespread knowledge of Chaucer's works is attested by the many poets who imitated or responded to his writing. John Lydgate was one of the earliest poets to write continuations of Chaucer's unfinished Tales while Robert Henryson's Testament of Cresseid completes the story of Cressida left unfinished in his Troilus and Criseyde. Many of the manuscripts of Chaucer's works contain material from these poets and later appreciations by the romantic era poets were shaped by their failure to distinguish the later "additions" from original Chaucer. Seventeenth and eighteenth century writers, such as John Dryden, admired Chaucer for his stories, but not for his rhythm and rhyme, as few critics could then read Middle English and the text had been butchered by printers, leaving a somewhat unadmirable mess. It was not until the late 19th century that the official Chaucerian canon, accepted today, was decided upon, largely as a result of Walter William Skeat's work. One hundred and fifty years after his death, The Canterbury Tales was selected by William Caxton to be one of the first books to be printed in England.

群鸟会议 英国诗人Chaucer

"Ever would it be night, but always clear day to any man's sight."曾经陷入黑暗但对每个人来说又宛若白昼 PF 1 The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne, PF 2 Th' assay so hard, so sharp the conquerynge, PF 3 The dredful joye alwey that slit so yerne: PF 4 Al this mene I by Love, that my felynge PF 5 Astonyeth with his wonderful werkynge PF 6 So sore, iwis, that whan I on hym thynke PF 7 Nat wot I wel wher that I flete or synke. PF 8 For al be that I knowe nat Love in dede, PF 9 Ne wot how that he quiteth folk here hyre, PF 10 Yit happeth me ful ofte in bokes reede PF 11 Of his myrakles and his crewel yre. PF 12 There rede I wel he wol be lord and syre; PF 13 I dar nat seyn, his strokes been so sore, PF 14 But "God save swich a lord!" -- I can na moore. PF 15 Of usage -- what for lust and what for lore -- PF 16 On bokes rede I ofte, as I yow tolde. PF 17 But wherfore that I speke al this? Nat yoore PF 18 Agon it happede me for to beholde PF 19 Upon a bok, was write with lettres olde, PF 20 And therupon, a certeyn thing to lerne, PF 21 The longe day ful faste I redde and yerne. PF 22 For out of olde feldes, as men seyth, PF 23 Cometh al this newe corn from yer to yere, PF 24 And out of olde bokes, in good feyth, PF 25 Cometh al this newe science that men lere. PF 26 But now to purpos as of this matere: PF 27 To rede forth hit gan me so delite PF 28 That al that day me thoughte but a lyte. PF 29 This bok of which I make mencioun PF 30 Entitled was al ther, as I shal telle: PF 31 "Tullyus of the Drem of Scipioun." PF 32 Chapitres sevene it hadde, of hevene and helle PF 33 And erthe, and soules that therinne dwelle, PF 34 Of whiche, as shortly as I can it trete, PF 35 Of his sentence I wol yow seyn the greete. PF 36 Fyrst telleth it, whan Scipion was come PF 37 In Affrike, how he meteth Massynisse, PF 38 That hym for joie in armes hath inome; PF 39 Thanne telleth [it] here speche and al the blysse PF 40 That was betwix hem til the day gan mysse, PF 41 And how his auncestre, Affrycan so deere,

Geoffrey Chaucer

杰弗雷·乔叟编辑 Geoffrey Chaucer一般指杰弗雷·乔叟 杰弗雷·乔叟（1343-1400年10月25日），英国文学之父，被公认为中世纪最伟大的英国诗人，也是首位葬在维斯特敏斯特教堂诗人之角（Poet of Westminster Abbey）的诗人。作为诗人、哲学家、炼金术士和天文学家（为他十岁的儿子路易斯Lewis完成了关于星盘的著述）乔叟生前声名显赫。除此之外，他还积极投身于为民服务的职业中，做过官员，侍臣和外交家。他的众多作品中比较著名的有公爵之书（The Book of the Duchess,）声誉之屋（House of Fame）贤妇传奇（Lengend of Good Wife）托爱乐斯与克莱西达（Troilus and Criseyde ），最为著名的要数坎伯雷故事集（The Canterbury Tales）。乔叟在促进和中世纪英语白话的正统方面起着举足轻重的作用，当时的文学语言主要是法语和拉丁语。 中文名杰弗雷·乔叟 外文名Geoffrey Chaucer 国籍英国 出生地英国伦敦 出生日期1343年 逝世日期1400年 职业诗人 代表作品《坎特伯雷故事集》;《公爵夫人之书》;《声誉之宫》 目录 1个人生平 2作品列表 3创作生涯 4文学特点 5人物影响 1个人生平 编辑 母亲名叫阿格尼丝·德·科普顿，父亲约翰·乔奥是一位富裕的酒商。乔叟这个姓源于单词“Chaussier”（制鞋匠），暗示其祖先是鞋匠。1357年，杰弗里在13岁至17岁之间，任英王爱德华的儿子莱昂内尔亲王和亲王的夫人伊丽莎白的少年侍从。 1359年参加对法作战时被俘，翌年由国王赎回，1361年-1367年在内殿 法学协会受训，1366年与王后寝宫的女官结婚，此后多次代表爱德华三世出使欧洲大陆，到过比利时、法国、意大利等国，有机会遇见薄伽丘与彼特拉克，这对他的文学创作产生了很大的影响。 1374年，乔叟任伦敦毛皮关税管理员，1382年兼任酒类及其它商品的关税管理员。 1385年，乔叟任肯特郡治安法官，第二年被选为该郡骑士代表出席议会下院。 1389年理查德亲政后，乔叟又先后担任过王室建筑工程主事和萨默塞特王室森林副主管。乔叟在庇护者失宠期间，被剥夺了官位和年金，经济拮据。他曾写过打油诗《致空囊》给刚登基的亨利四世，申诉自己的贫穷。 1400年乔叟逝世，安葬在伦敦威斯敏特斯教堂的“诗人之角”（Poet's Corner），他也是第一位葬于此的诗人。[1] 2作品列表 编辑

Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer ●The greatest poet of the Middle English Period, father of English poetry. ●(1) He is the first poet who wrote in current English language –the dialect of London Chaucer greatly contributed to the founding of the English literary language, the basis of which was formed by London dialect, so profusely used by the poet. He , through his works established English as the literary language. (2) As a master of verse, he introduced from France and Italy the rhymed stanzas of various forms to English poetry instead of the old Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse. A: the heroic couplet Rhymed couplet of iambic pentameter, also in the 18th century, Canterbury Tales mainly used this form. (Iambic pentameter: in lines of ten syllables, five short and five long) B: the rhyme royal A 7-line stanza in iambic pentameter, rhyming ababbcc C: the terza rima A 3-line stanza, rhyming aba bcb cdc ded.

Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer, known as the Founder of English poetry, was born in London sometime around 1340. Apart from his role as an author, he was a philosopher, alchemist, astronomer and civil servant. He came from a rich family. His father and grandfather were both London vintners. It is said that his father had close connections with Edward III’s third son. Chaucer began to be a page in a nobleman’s household when he was young. In 1359, in the early stages of the Hundred Years' War, Edward III invaded France and Chaucer was in France, travelling as part of the English army. He was captured and then ransomed by the king. On his return, he married Philippa, a maid of Edward III's queen, and relative of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. Later, He began to work for the royal court of Edward III. His wife also received a pension for court employment. He travelled abroad many times. Around this time, he got the chance to meet Petrarch and Boccaccio. They introduced him to medieval Italian poetry, the forms and stories of which he would use later. Their ideas influenced Chaucer a lot. He had a good command of Latin, French and Italian benefited from his rich experience of traveling abroad. Chaucer obtained the very substantial job of comptroller of the customs at London from the year 1374. He must have been suited for the position as he continued for 12 years. There were

3. Langland and Chaucer

Chapter William Langland Background The second half of the 14th century marked the deterioration and decline of feudalism in England. The big economic and political changes had their impact upon literature. English literature flourished after three centuries of comparative lull in this period. William Langland 1332—1400 朗格兰 ―Piers the Plowman‖—his masterpiece An allegory: A tale in verse or prose in which characters, actions, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. An allegory has an literal meaning and a symbolic meaning. --guidance book, p383 This is a story about four people named Jack, Lily, Michael, and David. There was an important job to be done and Jack was sure that Lily would do it. Michael could have done it, but David did it. Lily got angry about this, because it was Jack's job. Jack thought Michael could do it, but David realized that Jack wouldn't do it. It ended up that Jack blamed Lily when David did what Michael could have done. This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about this, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. Piers the Plowman The exposure of the ruling class: all kinds of parasites The story of the Cat and Rats The marriage of Lady Meed The condition of the Peasants The Search for Truth The class nature of Piers: conservative Piers the Plowman A long poem of over 7000 lines. In the old alliterative verse: three alliterative words in each line. In the form of a series of visions. The dignity of honest labor is highly praised. Laboring people are the nearest to Truth. Piers the Plowman Social significance: A classic in popular literature

英国文学 Geoffrey Chaucer[2]

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) Life 1.Rich life experience: a royal page, a soldier, a diplomat, a government official, a courtier. 2.Wide range of learning: familiar with European languages, literature and culture, Latin, French and Italian, had excellent knowledge of literature, law, science and medicine. Literary career 1.French period (1360s-1372) Chiefly under the influence of Medieval French literature; “Romance of the Rose” 2.Italian period (1373-1385) Influenced by Italian literature of early Renaissance; Dante (Divine Comedy), Boccaccio (Decameron), Petrarch Triolus and Criseyde, the House of Fame, the Legend of Good Women 3.English period (1386-1400) The Canterbury Tales, his masterpiece The Canterbury Tales I. Plot overview see 刘炳善P22 II. General Prologue Framework, pilgrimage, the Tabard Inn, the Shrine of St. Thomas, The pilgrims:from all walks of life, different in social position, personality, appearance, habit, manner, interest--—nearly all English classes are represented except the royalty and the serfs. The story-telling game, The portraits of the pilgrims, an excellent masterpiece of realistic character portrayal, the father of English realism; The tales as diverse as the pilgrims: pious, profane, tender, rude and obscene, serious, humorous and funny; Types of the tales: romances, moral stories, comedies, animal fables— form: most written in verse heroic couplet III. Social significance see刘炳善P24 IV. Chaucer’s language: late Middle English, simple and plain, vivid and exact Whan that Aprille with his showers swoote The drought of Marche hath pierced to the root, Chaucer as forerunner of English Renaissance: a)free thinking permeate b)belief in the right of man to earthly happiness c)praise man’s energy, intellect, quick wit and love for lif e, d)opposed to the dogma of asceticism

Chaucer's contribution to English literature

What's Chaucer's contribution to English literature Geoffrey Chaucer,the first great write in English, was born in London in about 1340, he is called the father of English literature by many scholars. Chaucer’s literary career may be devided roughly into three periods.The period of French influence, the period of Italian influence, the period of maturity.And it was the third period that Chaucer wrote his famous work--- The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer played an important role in the development of English literature. Chaucer is the father of English poetry, and he presented to us a comprehensive realistic picture of the English society of his time and created a whole gallery of vivid characters from all walks of life in his masterpiece The Canterbury Tales, it is the first time in English literature. Chaucer is also considered as a great master of the English language. When Chaucer was born, French and Lantin were the most powerful https://www.wendangku.net/doc/ef11652478.html,ntin was used in the Church and French was the language of the royal court, English, although it was used every day by the majority of the people ,was a second-class language.Chaucer realised the importance of creating literature in the vernacular, in the languate of the people. He decided to make the

Geoffrey-Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer, the founder of English poetry, was born, about 1340, in London. Chaucer's contribution to English poetry lies chiefly in the fact that he introduced from France the rhymed stanzas of various types, especially the rhymed couplet of iambic pentametre(to be called later the "heroic couplet"to English poetry, instead of the old Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse. Though drawing influences from French, Italian and Latin models, he is the first great poet who wrote in the current English language. His production of so much excellent poetry was an important factor in establishing English as the literary language of the country. The spoken English of the time consisted of several dialects, and Chaucer did much in making the dialect of London the foundation for modern English speech. 《Journal of Yanshan University》2001-03 Add to Favorite Get Latest Update