Chaucer

Chaucer by Adolphus William Ward is a comprehensive biography of the famous medieval English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer. The book provides a detailed account of Chaucer's life, including his childhood, education, career, and personal relationships. It explores Chaucer's literary works, including The Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde, and The Book of the Duchess, and analyzes his impact on English literature. Ward also delves into the social and cultural context of Chaucer's time, examining the political, religious, and economic factors that influenced his life and work. The book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the life and legacy of one of the most important figures in English literature.But, in accordance with the taste of his age, which shunned such sheer straightforwardness in poetry, the ""Book of the Duchess"" contains no further transparent reference to the actual circumstances of the wedded life which had come to so premature an end--for John of Gaunt had married Blanche of Lancaster in 1359;--and an elaborate framework is constructed round the essential theme of the poem. Already, however, the instinct of Chaucer's own poetic genius had taught him the value of personal directness; and, artificially as the course of the poem is arranged, it begins in the most artless and effective fashion with an account given by the poet of his own sleeplessness and its cause.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.