Poet · 1343 – 1400
Geoffrey Chaucer
Key Takeaways
- Chaucer is called the "Father of English literature".
- His Canterbury Tales is a vivid portrait of medieval English society.
- He chose to write in English when French and Latin were the prestige languages.
- He worked as a courtier and civil servant throughout his literary life.
At a time when serious literature in England was written in French or Latin, Geoffrey Chaucer made a bold choice: he wrote in English. That decision earned him the title Father of English literature.
The Canterbury Tales
His masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, gathers a band of pilgrims — a knight, a miller, a wife of Bath and many more — and lets each tell a story on the road to Canterbury. The result is a funny, earthy, deeply human portrait of medieval society, much as Dante had captured Italy in his own vernacular.
A language comes of age
Chaucer lived a busy public life as a courtier and customs official, writing poetry alongside his duties. By proving that English could carry great art, he prepared the ground for William Shakespeare two centuries later, and as the founding poet of his language, he was the first to be honoured in Westminster Abbey’s Poets’ Corner.
Influence
By writing great poetry in English, Chaucer gave the language literary dignity and set English literature on its path, earning his title as its father.
Legacy
The Canterbury Tales remains a cornerstone of English literature, read for its humour, humanity and unforgettable cast of characters.
Major Works
- The Canterbury Tales
- Troilus and Criseyde
Connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Geoffrey Chaucer?
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400) was an English poet called the 'Father of English literature', best known for The Canterbury Tales.
What are The Canterbury Tales?
The Canterbury Tales is Chaucer's collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims travelling to Canterbury, offering a rich and often comic portrait of medieval English society.
Citations & Sources
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