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Chapter Three Chaucer was such an important writer in English literature that he deserves a period of his own. two important historical events the Hundred Years’ War the peasant uprising of 1381 starting: from the reign of Edward III (1327—1377) time ending: from the reign of Henry VI (1421 – 1471) two sides: the English kings and the French kings reason: the French throne result: an awakening of national consciousness in England French was replaced by the native tongue. reasons: *exploitation and oppression of the peasants by the feudal lords *Richard collected money to fight war in France , to suppress rebellions in Scotland tax spiritual leader: John Ball gather people in Kent march towards London talk Richard betray the peasants The peasant rebellion was suppressed. Wat Tyler be shot John Wycliff Father of English prose Born: in Yorkshire Education : at Oxford Profession: clergyman Contribution: *demand to reform the church in order to do away with the corruption and rottenness * translate the Bible into standard English great contribution to English literature and English language pamphlets in Latin * to attack the feudal lords and the church * to oppose the claim of the Pope to the English throne * to maintain that the church must not interfere in temporal matters * to believe that the clergymen had no right to hold property * to insist that the civil authority had the right to deprive the church of the property His views were taken over by the peasants in uprising. William Langland His work: Piers Plowman The Vision of Piers Plowman Writing technique: allegory It is a story or description in which the characters and events symbolize some deeper underlying meaning, and serve to spread moral teaching. It has a double meaning. It has a primary meaning, or surface meaning, and a secondary meaning, or underlying meaning. In an allegory, abstract qualities or ideas, such as patience, purity, or truth, are personified as characters in the story. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340 ----- 1400) Born: in a wine merchant family with rising fortunes Place: in London Experience: served at court as a page joined the army, took part in the war sent to the Continent on diplomatic missions appointed Controller of Customs elected Member of Parliament from Kent three periods of his works the 1st period (1360 --- 1372) Form: under the influence of French literature imitate French poetry translate French poems The Book of the Duchess elegy on the death of the first wife of John of Gaunt the second period ( 1372 ----- 1386 ) Form: under the influence of the Italian literature Troilus and Cryseyde adapted from a long poem by Boccacio Troilus the son of the king of Troy love Cryseyde daughter of a soothsayer hand over to the Greek leave her lover found a brooch come back in 10 days no hope to return killed by Achilles give in a new lover the last period the last fifteen years of his life The Canterbury Tales written between 1387 and 1400 the general prologue twenty—four tales links unfinished the best part of the whole work 29 pilgrims from all walks of life to kill the time on the journey Chaucer host of the inn each tells two stories rewarded a free supper The significance of The Canterbury Tales It gives a comprehensive picture of Chaucer’s time. The dramatic structure of the poem has been highly commended by critics. Chaucer’s humour: characteristic feature of the English literature. Chaucer’s contribution to English language