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Age of Chaucer

The document discusses the historical and literary context of the period between 1350-1450 in England known as the Age of Chaucer. This era marked the first significant period of English literature and saw the standardization of the English language. It was a time of social, political, and religious upheaval including the Black Death plague and challenges to the power of the church. Literature from this period included Geoffrey Chaucer's famous works, the beginnings of English prose, and the emergence of Scottish literature with John Barbour's epic poem The Brus.

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414 views

Age of Chaucer

The document discusses the historical and literary context of the period between 1350-1450 in England known as the Age of Chaucer. This era marked the first significant period of English literature and saw the standardization of the English language. It was a time of social, political, and religious upheaval including the Black Death plague and challenges to the power of the church. Literature from this period included Geoffrey Chaucer's famous works, the beginnings of English prose, and the emergence of Scottish literature with John Barbour's epic poem The Brus.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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The historical background

The period between 1350 and 1450 is known as the age


of Chaucer. It marked the first significant literary age in
English literature. It heralded a new era of learning.
Chaucer’s age also witnessed many social, political and
religious challenges. The age of Chaucer includes the
greatest part of the reign of Edward 111 and the long
French wars, the accession of his grandson Richard 11
and the revolution of 1399, the deposition of Richard and
the foundation of the Lancastrian dynasty. Another
significant event of the age was the Black Death or
plague that affected a third of the population. Other social
and intellectual movements of the period are the growth
of the spirit of inquiry and found expression in the
teachings of Wyclif and the Lollards and in the stern
denunciation of Langland.

Literary features of the age

1. The standardizing of English


The age saw the emergence of the Standard English
language. The east midland dialect became the
accepted form of standardized English. The other
dialects except the Scottish branch rapidly melt
away from literature till they become quite
exiguous. French and English combined to form the
Standard English. The language saw great
achievement and expression in the works of
Chaucer.
2. The age is known for its scathing criticism of the
established order and religion. Church’s control
over temporal affairs of common men was
challenged during this period. There is a renewed
interest in the common man’s affairs. There is a
theme of derision of romance especially by
Chaucer. The dram takes the prominent stage. The
dominance of historical fables and romance of
medieval age was eschewed for more humanistic
themes. Though many of the texts still lack named
authors, the greater number of the books can be
definitely ascribed.
3. Prose
The English prose had its beginning in this age. Due
to the ripening of the language, the prose could now
be experimented with. The prose writing is both
original and individual. There are experimental
works like that of Mandeville and Malory. The
language is settling to a standard, Latin and French
are losing grip as popular prose mediums and the
growing desire for an English bible exercises a
steady pressure in favour of a standard English
prose.

4. Scottish literature
John Barbour marked the beginning of Scottish
literature. He was the first major named literary
figure to write in Scots. His principal surviving
work is the historical verse romance, The Brus.

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