Introduction of Geoffrey Chaucer

1. Geoffrey Chaucer
Short Introduction.

2. Geoffrey Chaucer was an
English poet, author, and
civil servant best known for
The Canterbury Tales. He
has been called the "father
of English literature", or,
alternatively, the "father of
English poetry".

3. Career
● He joined court of Elizabeth, countess of Ulster I'm 1357.
● In 1359 he took part in The Hundred years War , and held
captive.
● Edward III paid a large ransom (£16) in order to secure his
release.
● King Edward-III fixed a good salary for his services. During this
service, he traveled through France and after retirement, the
king paid him a pension of twenty marks for his illustrious
career.

4. Personal life
● Chaucer married Philippa Roet, daughter of Sir Payne Roet, in 1366.
● Their union helped him accelerate his political career in London; he
became one of King Edward III’s esquires.
● He became close to John of Gaunt becouse they both married to the
daughters of Sir Payne Roet.
● He and Philippa had four children named Elizabeth, Thomas, Agnes, and
Lewis.
● Unfortunately, the lady’s death in 1387 brought financial hardships to
Chaucer; it was Philippa’s annuities that kept him living and he lost those
after her death

5. Literary career
● Chaucer was the first English poet who gave full expression to
the new hopes and aspirations of the people of his time.
● He was a realist who chose to write about the life that unfolded
before his eyes rather than write about god and heroes of
golden age.
● He was femous for writing “ The Canterbury Tales” an also his
minor works “the Book of Duchess “ and “ The House of Fame”.

6. Major works
● The Book of the Duchess
● The House of Fame.
● The Parliament of Fowls
● Translation of Roman de la Rose, as The Romaunt of the Rose
● Translation of Boethius The consolation of Philosophy
● Troilus and Criseyde
● The Legend of Good women.
● The Canterbury Tales

7. Longfellow said about
Chaucer that “ He is the
poet of the down.”
Matthew Arnold said
that Chaucer lacked the
“ High Seriousness”.

8. He died in 25th October
1400, in London.
He was the first writer
to be buried in what has
since come to be called
Poets Corner, in
Westminster Abbey.