Geoffrey Chaucer

Broschiertes Buch

The Canterbury Tales (Annotated with a Preface by D. Laing Purves)

Beschreibung

Begun as an ambitious project by the versatile English courtier, diplomat, philosopher, and author Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, "The Canterbury Tales" follows a group of people on their pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Saint Thomas á Becket. The Prologue introduces all of the pilgrims in great detail, and through these descriptions Chaucer provides the entire spectrum of social classes and professions of his time. When the group stops at an inn and the innkeeper introduces a competition for a free dinner, the pilgrims begin telling each other stories that reflect their stations, genders, purity, corruption, humor, tragedy, cynicism, and innocence. From the noble Knight and his Squire to the spunky Wife of Bath, from the antagonistic Miller and Reeve to the Prioress, Nun, and Pardoner, Chaucer reveals for modern readers a wonderfully vivid picture of medieval life in an impressive array of literary styles that uphold his reputation as the father of English literature. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes a preface and biography of Chaucer by D. Laing Purves.

Autor

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) was an English poet and writer, widely regarded as one of the greatest poets in the English language. He is best known for his epic work "The Canterbury Tales," a collection of stories told by pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Chaucer was born into a family of wealthy merchants in London and was well-educated in several languages, including French and Italian. He worked as a civil servant and diplomat for much of his life, holding various positions in the court of King Edward III and later in the household of John of Gaunt. Chaucer began writing poetry in the 1360s, and his early works include "The Book of the Duchess" and "The House of Fame." However, it was "The Canterbury Tales" that cemented his reputation as a literary giant. The work, which was never completed, contains stories of all kinds, from bawdy jokes to poignant tragedies, and is notable for its vivid characterizations and its commentary on social and religious issues of the time. Chaucer's influence on English literature cannot be overstated. His works helped to establish English as a literary language in its own right, and his style and themes were emulated by countless writers in the centuries that followed.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Digireads.com
• Seitenzahl: 602
• Erscheinungstermin: 16. Juni 2015
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 216mm x 140mm x 35mm
• Gewicht: 838g
• ISBN-13: 9781420951349
• ISBN-10: 1420951343
• Artikelnr.: 43058307