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Age of Chaucer Important Points for Revision

Wed Jul 24, 2024

The Age of Chaucer Literature (Till 1400 AD)

Political, Cultural, and Social Background

Political Background:

  1. Hundred Years' War (1337-1453):

    • Series of conflicts between England and France.
    • Impact: Development of national identity, economic strain, and social upheaval in England.

  2. Black Death (1348-1350):

    • Bubonic plague pandemic that killed a third of Europe's population.
    • Impact: Severe labor shortages, economic changes, and shifts in social structure.

  3. Peasants' Revolt (1381):

    • Major uprising across large parts of England.
    • Impact: Highlighted social tensions and demands for economic and political reforms.

  4. Richard II's Reign (1377-1399):

    • Period of political instability and challenges to the king's authority.
    • Impact: Power struggles among nobility, leading to eventual deposition of Richard II.

Cultural Background:

  1. Rise of the Middle Class:

    • Growth of a wealthy and influential middle class due to trade and commerce.
    • Impact: Increased demand for literature and education.

  2. Influence of the Church:

    • The Church was a dominant force in everyday life.
    • Impact: Religious themes and moral questions frequently explored in literature.

  3. Chivalric Code:

    • Ideal of chivalry influencing the behavior of the nobility.
    • Impact: Themes of honor, bravery, and courtly love in literary works.

Social Background:

  1. Feudal System:

    • Social structure based on land ownership and duties.
    • Impact: Class distinctions and roles often depicted in literature.

  2. Urbanization:

    • Growth of towns and cities due to increased trade.
    • Impact: Diverse social interactions and new perspectives in literary works.

  3. Education and Literacy:

    • Establishment of universities and growth of literacy among the middle class.
    • Impact: Wider audience for literature and diverse topics explored.

Important Writers and Their Works

Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400):

  1. The Canterbury Tales:

    • Collection of 24 stories presented as part of a storytelling contest by a group of pilgrims.
    • Themes: Social satire, human nature, and the critique of societal norms.

  2. Troilus and Criseyde:

    • A tragic love story set during the Trojan War.
    • Themes: Love, fate, and fortune.

  3. The Book of the Duchess:

    • An elegy for Blanche of Lancaster, the wife of John of Gaunt.
    • Themes: Grief, loss, and consolation.

William Langland (1332-1386):

  1. Piers Plowman:
    • Allegorical narrative poem presenting a vision of the quest for a true Christian life.
    • Themes: Social justice, corruption, and the need for personal piety.

John Gower (1330-1408):

  1. Confessio Amantis:
    • A long narrative poem in which the lover confesses his sins to Genius, the priest of Venus.
    • Themes: Love, morality, and social commentary.

Anonymous Works:

  1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:

    • A chivalric romance that tells the tale of Sir Gawain's quest to confront the Green Knight.
    • Themes: Chivalry, honor, and the supernatural.

  2. Pearl:

    • An allegorical poem about a father mourning the loss of his daughter, symbolized by a pearl.
    • Themes: Loss, redemption, and divine grace.

Common Themes in Chaucerian and Contemporaneous Works

  1. Social Satire:

    • Critique of social norms and institutions, often using humor and irony.
    • Example: "The Canterbury Tales" satirizes various social classes and professions.

  2. Religious and Moral Allegory:

    • Exploration of spiritual and ethical dilemmas through symbolic narratives.
    • Example: "Piers Plowman" examines the nature of true Christianity.

  3. Courtly Love and Chivalry:

    • Ideals of love, honor, and knightly behavior.
    • Example: "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" explores the chivalric code and moral testing.

  4. Human Nature and Folly:

    • Examination of human behavior, weaknesses, and virtues.
    • Example: "The Canterbury Tales" portrays a wide range of characters, each representing different aspects of society.

  5. Fate and Fortune:

    • The role of destiny and luck in human affairs.
    • Example: "Troilus and Criseyde" focuses on the inevitability of fate in love and life.

Key Points for Competitive Exams

  1. Historical Context:

    • Understand the impact of the Hundred Years' War, Black Death, Peasants' Revolt, and Richard II's reign on literature.

  2. Geoffrey Chaucer:

    • Key works: "The Canterbury Tales," "Troilus and Criseyde," "The Book of the Duchess."
    • Themes: Social satire, love, human nature, fate.

  3. William Langland:

    • Key work: "Piers Plowman."
    • Themes: Social justice, corruption, piety.

  4. John Gower:

    • Key work: "Confessio Amantis."
    • Themes: Love, morality, social commentary.

  5. Anonymous Works:

    • Key works: "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," "Pearl."
    • Themes: Chivalry, honor, supernatural, loss, redemption.

  6. Literary Devices:

    • Allegory, satire, chivalric romance, narrative poetry.

  7. Cultural Influence:

    • Role of the Church, rise of the middle class, urbanization, and education on literary themes and production.

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