第三周文学.ppt

Geoffrey Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer 1327: Edward III crowned King Born: 1341(?) in London Parents: John and Agnus Chaucer Father was a wine merchant Family was upper middle-class Chaucer’s Education Studied at St. Paul’s Grammar School Logic Latin Grammar Classical Roman works such as Seneca French Learned Arithmetic from his father Chaucer and the Royal Family At 14, became a Page in the home of Prince Lionel and his wife Elizabeth Makes friends with Lionel’s younger brother John of Gaunt, who became his lifelong patron Continued his education, and learned the ways of the Nobility Chaucer and the French Invasion In 1359, Chaucer goes into service of a Knight, carrying lances, dressing the Knight in armor On March 1, 1360, the French captured Chaucer Edward III paid a ransom for Chaucer’s release By May 1360, Chaucer returned home Marriage By 1367, Chaucer worked in the household of Edward III A year later, he had the title “Esquire” Chaucer married Philippa Roet, a lady-in-waiting of the Queen The Chaucers had three children: Katherine, Thomas, and Lewis The French Period Chaucer became a diplomat in France for the royal family of England In June, 1374, the king appointed Chaucer as controller of customs Studied French court poetry and translated French poetry into English Chaucer wrote The Book of the Duchess using techniques from French poetry The Italian Period A diplomatic trip to Italy exposed Chaucer to Italian literature and poets: Dante, Boccaccio, and Petrarch Italy was a leader in European commerce as well as the arts The Italians read literature in their own language; in England, people read either Latin or French Celebrity Poet For reading a poem at court in 1374, Chaucer was granted a gallon of wine per day for the rest of his life For his diplomatic service, he was allowed to live in Aldgate rent free for life The king had an elegant red robe made for Chaucer This house, like Aldgate, was built as part of the city gate King Richard II On June 26, 1377