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On Chaucers Background
Born: c. 1343
Died: 25 October 1400 (age: 56-57)
Resting place: Westminster Abbey, London
Occupation: author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat,
diplomat, alchemist, astronomer
Spouse: Phillippa Roet
Children: Elizabeth Chaucer, Thomas Chaucer, Agnes
Chaucer, Lewis Chaucer
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Chaucer was born in London, England circa 1343. His exact date of birth is unknown
Chaucer died in 1400 of unknown causes though some speculate he was murdered
Chaucer was the first poet to be buried in Poets Corner of Westminster Abbey,
London
Phillippa Roet worked for Queen Elizabeth
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The most important event to happen in Chaucers lifetime was The Black Death of
1348-1350
Ring Around the Rosy is a childrens song about the Black Death
The Black Death had wide-reaching social, political, and economic consequences for
England
Political Consequences
The ruling class passed restrictive laws against the
tenants
These laws led to a short revolt by the peasants,
known as the Rising of 1381
The Rising of 1381 was a sign of a greater struggle, the
crisis between King Richard II and his nobles
Chaucer was a royal servant of King Richard II
The Canterbury Tales can be seen as an escape from
the politics that Chaucer was involved in
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The laws included compelling the laborer to accept all work offered, restricting him
from leaving his house, forbidding higher wages, and regulating food prices
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By most readable, I mean that Chaucer writes in an almost modern style, close to that
which books are written in today. For example, reading J.K. Rowling as opposed to
reading Shakespeare.
By this, I mean that the meaning of each tale is related to the individual it is being told
by.
Chaucer describes each pilgrim by their social role. However, he doesnt focus on
their function in society, but on the character that inhibits that role. For example, the
monk has a passion for hunting. That passion makes him a poor monk, but Chaucer
doesnt focus on the fact that he is a poor monk and the consequences of that.
Chaucer is considered the Father of English Poetry because of his originality.