Geoffrey Chaucer: As a Poet

Introduction:

Chaucer is considered the father of English poetry. He founded English language and poetry. He was a 14th century poet. His famous work "The Canterbury Tales" is a picture gallery of his time. It features thirty characters from various profession. Through these characters, Chaucer presents an accurate picture of his time. He is always remembered for his humor, realism, characterization, humanism and narrative art.

HUMOUR: Chaucer is known for his English humour also. He made it the life and soul of his writings. His humour is allied to his humanism. It is healthy device to penetrate into human heart. It is not sarcastic, bitter and pungent. But it is marked by tolerance, charity, forgiveness and sympathy. These qualities make his humour genial. With the help of this humour, the poet laughs at the frailties and foibles of mankind.

REALISM: Chaucer, the great realist poet, presents a realistic picture of 14^th century England. He plays the role of a true social historian. By choosing the setting of a pilgrimage, he gives realistic touch to ‘The Canterbury Tales’. He sees and depicts things as he sees them. He portrays men and women truthfully. He gives us minute details of their behavior, personality and dress. Thus Chaucer is a true realistic poet.

CHARACTERIZATION: Chaucer is the first great master of characterization in English literature. His characters are timeless creations. They are both individuals and symbols. They are not puppets but living human figures. All the characters in “The Prologue” have their own unique qualities. They are the typical figures of the 14th century. Each character represents his own class. Thus, the characters in 'The Prologue' appear alive, real and dynamic.

HUMANISM: Chaucer delights in the vast possibility of humanity. He has broad sympathy and compassion for all. He is equally interested in man and nature. The opening of 'The Prologue' clearly justifies this statement. Chaucer is always free from personal bias. He looks at life as it is. He teaches us to enjoy it

 NARRATIVE ART: Chaucer is known for his narrative art. His narration is magical. It is full of action and variety. His narrative art holds the reader's attention. With the help of this unique art he tells a story with point and precision. His narrative method is straightforward and simple. The ending of his tales is as suggestive as the opening. Digression is one of the important features of his art. 'The Canterbury Tales' reveal his dramatic power. His stories, plots, characterization, dialogue and setting have dramatic essence. His contribution to the art of novel is also significant. Plot, character, dialogue and description are major elements of a novel. These all are found in his tales.

LANGUAGE AND VERSIFICATION: Chaucer is the founder of modern literary language of England. He found English a dialect and left it a language. As the first national poet of the England, he gave to the people a language. It became an instrument to express national life and thought. He paid particular attention to versification. He stuck a modern note in versification. He discarded irregular lines, alliteration and complicated stanza form. He introduced 'heroic couplet' into English verse and invented rhyme royal. These forms are marked by variety and flexibility.

CONCLUSION: Thus Chaucer is a great poet of English poetry. His contribution to English poetry is memorable. He is the father of English poetry. His place in English literature is more important than other writers.