Question- Discuss the literary features and general chacharactersitics of Chaucer age.

Answer-

Literary Features of The Age

1. The Standardizing of English : The period of transition is now nearly over. The English language has shaken down to a kind of average-to the standard of the East Midland speech, the language of the capital city and of the universities. The other dialects, with the exception of the Scottish branch, rapidly melt away from laterature till they become quite exiguous. French and English have amalgamated to form the standard English tongue, which attains to its first full expression in the works of Chaucer

2. A curious 'modern' note begins to be apparent at this period : There is a sharper spirit of criticism,, a more searching interest in man's affairs, and a less childlike faith in, and a less complacent acceptance of the established order The vogue of the romance, though it has by no means gone is passing and in Chaucer it is derided. The freshness of the romantic ideal is being superseded by the more acute spirit of the drama, which even at this - early time is famtly foreshadowed Another more modem feature that at once strikes the observer is that the age of anonymity, is passing away Though many of the texts still lack named authors, the greater number of the books can be definitely ascribed Moreover, we have for the first time a figure of outstanding literary importance, who gives to the age the form and pressure of his genius

3. Prose : This era sees the foundation of an English prose style Earlier specimens have been experimental or purely imitative nów, in the works of Mandeville and Malory, we have prose that is both original and individual The English tongue is now ripe for a prose style. 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 : For the first time in our literature. m the person of Barbour Scotland supplies a writer worthy of note This is only the beginning for the tradition is handed on to the powerful group of poets.

General Characteristics of Age-

1. Period : Thé period between 1343 and 1450 is known as the age of Chaucer. The age of Chaucer is the first significant period in the Literary history of England. It marks the beginning of a new era. new language and new Isterature

2. An Era of Transition : Chaucer was born in a turbulent period of social, religious and political change He was born in the reign of Edward III, lived through that of Richard II, and died the year after Henry IV ascended the throne.

3. Growth of National Sentiment : In this age we come across an ardent upsurge of nationalism The fusion of Normans and Saxous had completely taken place even before. The birth of Chaucer. The consciousness of national unity was strengthened during "The Hundred Years War with France and the battles of Crecy and Poitiers. The victories of Edward and the Black Price on French soil during the The Hundred Years' War' gave a feeling of national pride and self-respect to the people of England.

4. Black Death : Famine and Social Unrest. It was an epoch of natural calamities which increased the sufferings of the common people. In 1348-49 came the terrible Black Death which carried off no less than one-third of the population. It reappeared in 1362, 1367 and 1370

5. The Corruption of the Church and the Reformation : The church, which was the seat of power and prestige, was infected with corruption, moral loss and supersinon Politically, intellectually and spiritually its influence had been diminished. The ecclesiastics were corrupt and demoralized. They rolled in wealth and luxury, and indulged in sorts of vices and follies. They lived m a godless and materialistic world. Chaucer's ecclesiastical characters in the Prologue realistically depict the corruption of the church

6. The Dawn of New Learning : In the age of Chaucer, the medieval habits and traditions still continued to influence the masses The Church still continued to influence the masses and controlled scholarship, thoughts and feelings. Theology molded and affected the entire life of people and ecclesiastical ideas swayed the feelings of common people, but their sway was to some extent weakened by the spirit of new learning The spirit of humanism, which was one of the formative influences of the age of Chaucer, engendered "the quickened sense of beauty, the delight in life. and the free secular spirit" which began to appear, though dimly, both in life and literature Root says The movement of Renaissance first assumed definite form and our modern world began

7. Chaucer's Work in General : It is usual and convenient to divide Chaucer's literary career into three periods, which are called his French, his Italian, and his English period, respectively His genius was nourished, to begin with, on the French poetry and romance, which formed the favourite reading of the court and cultivated society during the time of his youth Naturally, he followed the fashion, and his early work was done on French models. Thus, besides translating portions at least of the then popular Roman de la Rose, he wrote, among other quite imitative things an allegory on the death of Blanche, John of Gaunt's wife, which he called The Book of the Duchesse (1369), and which is wholly in the manner of the reigning French school.

Then, almost certainly as a direct result of his visits to Italy French influences disappear, and Italian influences take their place. In this second period (1370-54). Chaucer is the disciple of the great Italian masters, for The House of Fame clearly owes much to Dante, while Troylus and Crysende, by far his longest single poem is based upon, and in part translated from. Boccaccio's Filostrato To the close of this period the unfinished Legende of Good Women may also be referred.

Finally, he coases to be Italian as he had ceased to be French, and becomes English This does not mean that he no longer draws freely upon French and Italian material. He continues to do this to the end. It simply means that, instead of being merely imitative, he becomes independent, relying upon himself entirely even for the use to which he puts his borrowed themes To this last period belong together with sundry minor pocms the Canterbury Tales, m which we have Chaucer's most famous and most characteristic work.

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