• pplpod
  • Geoffrey Chaucer: The Father of E...

Geoffrey Chaucer: The Father of English Literature

pplpod by pplpod

Episode notes

This biography profiles Geoffrey Chaucer, the fourteenth-century author revered as the foundational figure of English literature. Beyond his literary achievements like The Canterbury Tales, the text details his multifaceted life as a diplomat, civil servant, and courtier under several monarchs. It highlights his critical role in legitimizing Middle English as a language for high art, moving away from the era's traditional use of French and Latin. The source also explores his extensive bibliography, his family connections to John of Gaunt, and the evolution of his scholarly and critical reception over the centuries. Finally, it notes his lasting cultural legacy, ranging from his burial in Poets' Corner

 ...  Read more