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¶ … language of Geoffrey Chaucer and its relationship to the development of English
In both literature and language, Geoffrey Chaucer made an important contribution to the development of English. In terms of the development of the English language his works and their popularity are related to the importance of the Midland dialect. This dialect formed part of the Mercian dialect of Old English, which was to assume significance due to the fact that it,
developed into centers of university, economic, and courtly life. East Midland, one of the subdivisions of Midland, had by that time become the speech of the entire metropolitan area of the capital, London, and probably had spread south of the Thames River into Kent and Surrey. "(ibid)
This form of the English language was disseminated and popularized partly by...
In essence the works of Chaucer therefore added to the prominence of the East Midland dialect and, coupled with other historical factors, was to lead to the development of the East Midland dialect into modern Standard English. ( ibid)
In terms of his literary works Chaucer's writings themselves had a profound impact. "His artistic eminence was generously recognized during his own life-time; his admirers and imitators perpetuated many of his usages and mannerisms during the ensuing period." ( Schlauch 7) This aspect would also include his influence on writers such as William Shakespeare.
However critics also stress that it would not be entirely correct to overstate Chaucer's influence on the language of the time. " ... It would be a mistake to argue (as was formerly done) that Chaucer's creative work was a sole or even a primary factor in the achievement of an English national language." ( ibid) These critics are of the opinion that while Chaucer did influence language development in certain respects, much of his linguistic influence was restricted to "the…
Bibliography
Baugh, Albert C. A History of the English Language. 2nd ed. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1959.
Chaucer, Geoffrey 1340-400) August 15, 2005.
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Biographies/MainBiographies/C/chaucergeoffrey/2.html
English Language. Encarta. August 16, 2005. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761564210_2/English_Language.html
The Bible, he argued, cites the creation of Eve for Adam as proof that a wife is man's support, as well as many other examples of humble and devoted wives. The knight told his brother that he desired a young wife, who was no older than thirty, for she would be more pliable. Placebo cautioned that it takes great courage for an older man to marry a young woman (Classic
http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=IPS&docId=A21240794&source=gale&srcprod=ITOF&userGroupName=va0035_004&version=1.0 Works Cited Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. Trans. Neville Coghill. New York: Penguin Books, 1977.
Since they are blank pages, the women possess no direct say in which man will use her to write his story. The result is that men will compete over her and she will remain largely passive in this pursuit. This motif is used by Chaucer both within the Miller's and Knight's tales, and between these two pilgrims; men compete for women in both stories, just as the Knight and
Thus, the notion of ruler ship in marriage is actually an orchestrated ideological shift in the hands of Chaucer the writer, as notions of marriage and change from the point-of-view of the miller, the Wife of Bath, to the Franklin. Even in the more singular voice of Marlowe, the poet acts an intrusive rather an impartial narrator of the tale of "Hero and Leander," as he utilizes a number of
Chaucer's "Retraction" and Its Meaning within the Context of the Canterbury Tales The "Retraction," a fragment that follows the last of the Tales in Chaucer's masterpiece, has attracted much critical attention, as students of Chaucer attempt to divine whether it implies a renunciation on the author's part of his work, or is intended ironically. Benson comments that "the authenticity of the Retraction has been challenged" (Benson, 2000), and certainly it is possible
Wife of Bath's Prologue, by Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the first pieces of literature that introduces us to a smart, intelligent, and independent woman. One of the most important aspects of the wife's character is her sexuality. In a day when women were not prone to speak out about their sexuality, the wife does and not only that, she brags about how much she enjoys sex. The wife is