Essay: Discover the Father of English Literature: Geoffrey Chaucer’s Life and Legacy

In the late 1300’s, amidst the depression and continual war, an impending author and poet was born. Geoffrey Chaucer would be one of the greatest poets of the Middle English period, and would be given the titles, the “Father of English Literature,” and the “Greatest Poet of Medieval England.” Chaucer wrote many enriching works of literature, including the Canterbury Tales, that would stir the hearts and minds of students all around the world. His profound knowledge of the world and its many views, in addition to writing, Chaucer’s remarkable masterpieces would transform the realm of creative writing.
In Chaucer’s early career, he was diligent in the responsibilities given him. Chaucer was born into a well-to-do family that in the long run helped him gain success. His father sold wine for a living, and through that, knew many prominent individuals. Through his father’s acquaintances, he acquired an occupation serving in the King of England’s palace, doing whatever he was told to do. His service to the King would provide Chaucer with many amazing opportunities throughout his life, such as traveling the country. It was through these once in a life time chances, Chaucer was able to gain a repertoire of knowledge that would impact his writings greatly. In the 1340’s, the Black Plague swept across Europe. Fortunately, Chaucer was able to survive through this horrific event. In 1359, during the Hundred Years War, the King of England invaded France. Chaucer served in the English military at this time, alongside his King. Chaucer had a great relationship with King Edward III, and this is displayed in his loyalty to him. He would later serve to other Kings as well. According to Judith Laird in her work, Biography of Geoffrey Chaucer, Chaucer served as a soldier, a controller of customs, a justice of peace, a member of parliament in London, a clerk of the works, and a sub-forester through the span of about forty years (Laird 6). During this forty-year span, Chaucer met his wife Philippa, and married her in the year 1366. Chaucer and his wife did have children, but it is uncertain how many. Chaucer’s beginning career unquestionably impacted the development and path his life would take. Chaucer preceded his wife, died in circa 1400 and was buried in Poet’s Corner.
Geoffrey Chaucer’s writings were greatly affected by certain events that took place during his life time. Chaucer happened to be good friends with John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. They became brothers-in-law when Chaucer married Philippa, and Gaunt married Philippa’s sister. When Gaunt’s wife passed away, Chaucer wrote a short story concerning her death called “Book of the Duchess.” This story, just as many of his writings, are filled with that resemble people in life and are allegorical. His stories are strong in meaning, and have personal values sown throughout the stories. He also wrote a poem regarding this beloved family as well. Although Chaucer wrote many other works of literature, his most famous piece is “The Canterbury Tales.” This piece of literature includes twenty-four short stories all are which enhanced with allegory. Much of his allegory in this work, involve the spiritual and understanding things that fall in that category. Every short-story included in the “Canterbury Tales” relates back to his early career. It includes war, serving of the king, the religion of the country, and many other things that would have been apart of Chaucer’s life. The Hundred Years War and the Black Plague inevitably had an effect on his writing. According to Benjamin Miele in his work, Allusion: Shakespeare’s Habits of Mind and the Cultural Politics of Reading Chaucer in Early Modern England, the author states, “Every allusion has a political unconcious, an aspect that reveals how the author using the allusion unknowingly oriented herself or himself toward contemporary ideologies” (Miele 144). Although this quote does not directly address Chaucer, it is very relevant to his literary works. Chaucer used many allusions in his writings to address the news or politics of his day. There may have been times that he did not intend to allude to something specific, but it naturally happened because of his world view and experiences. In all the tales that he tells, every character has a place in that time of history. He never finished the “Canterbury Tales,” but it is still considered one of the greatest works of his time.