Chaucer as a Modern Poet

When we make a careful and critical analysis of Chaucer’s poetry, we arrive at a definite conclusion
that sympathy, realism, intelligence, straight forwardness, humor, irony, satire and keen observation
are salient features of Chaucer’s literary works. He enchants the reader by his lovely diction, his
description and narrative power and the graceful movement of his verse. He is the founder of pure
pimple and musical style of writing verses, which was later on followed by Spencer, Shakespeare
and Milton.
Chaucer is regarded as the father of English poetry and the earliest of the great modernism. In
those, dark days when light of modernism was not visible on the horizon, Chaucer anticipated the
modern taste and the modern mind and in his poetry, he introduces qualities of advanced age.
Though Chaucer has not written a drama or a novel as we know it, yet his works contain the seed of
modern drama and novel. If he had lived a few years, he would certainly have been our first
dramatist and novelist, just as we know he is the first true national poet of England.
Chaucer made several great contributions to English poetry and his debt is so large that it can never
be repaired even by the most exalted panegyrics that may be written for him .Chaucer has enlarged
the scope and range of the poetry and has observed life minutely around him. He has not only made
narration on art but also has given a new shape to language and versification. All these qualities
make Chaucer a modern poet and his poetry immortal and evergreen. The main qualities, which
make Chaucer a modern poet, are as numerated:
1. National Poet
Chaucer was the first great national poet of England giving full expression to the new hopes and
aspiration of the people of his times. He voiced through his poetry the nationalism and unity which
bad been brought about by the fusion of the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons. The growing
influences of France was checked and for the first time a poet in the national language of England
gave expression to the life, ideals and aspiration of the people of the fourteenth century.
2. Observation and Realism
Modern poetry is characterized by realism. A modern poet is a keen tendency of his time, which is
being put by him in his poetry. This modern note of realism was sounded by Chaucer long age in the
fourteenth century. He has the Seeing Eye, the retentive memory, the judgment to select and the
capacity to expound. He is gifted with unusual keen observation and his penetrating eye spares
nothing, which remains hidden from our eyes.
3. Descriptions
Chaucer’s best descriptions of men, manners and places are of the first rank in their beauty,
impressiveness and humor. His power of describing his fellowmen with all their merits and demerits,
their tastes and temperaments is unique and “The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales”, is a picture
gallery bringing in its scope all the classes of people ranging from the Knight to The Miller and The
Cook.
4. Narrative Art
Chaucer is a supreme storyteller in verse and he has made a notable contribution to the art of story
telling. In. his stories, the narration inspite of many digression and philosophical reflections is
straightforward as well as unhampered. He not only infuses humour in his narration but also makes
his stories life-like and living.
5. Characterization
Chaucer has made significant contribution to the art of characterization and he presents characters
in a masterly manner. His characters are both individuals as well as types. They are timeless
creation on a time-determined stage. The Knight, The Friar, The Pardoner, The Wife of Bath and
The Doctor of Physic, all are living characters and have an external freshness about them.
6. Humour
In the literature of the fourteenth century when so few poets seem to have any perception of fun in
life, Chaucer’s humour is invigorating and delightful. His genial humour cuts across barriers of time,
customs, language and idiom and refreshes and exhilarates us like a tonic.
7. Love for fresh out-door life
An especially charming feature of his poetry is its freshness and out-of-doors atmosphere. This
quality makes him not only a modern poet but also his poetry universal.
8. Elements of Novel and Drama
Chaucer's contribution towards novel and drama can never be ignored. The elements of both drama
and novel are a part and parcel of Chaucer’s writings. The wonderful style of characterization
dialogues and story not only give a dramatic shape to its writings but also give them an ever-lasting
life. On the other hand, the tales with their atmosphere are also novels in miniature and “The
Prologue to the Canterbury Tales” is the prologue to the modern age.
9. Contribution to Language and Versification
Chaucer made notable contribution to English language and versification. In 1360 English was split
in four dialects. Chaucer popularized and reshaped the east Midland dialect and gave it the form of
standard language. It was a great service rendered by Chaucer and only a poet of great caliber
could perform such a task.
In the light of above mentioned we can conclude that Chaucer was a genius born at a time when
lights were hazy. By the alembic of his genius, he created something of lasting and permanent value
in literature. After Chaucer follows a century of arid barrenness and supremacy and greatness of the
poet become apparent when we view him in the light of his followers.

Geoffrey Chaucer: Irony
~~~~~~~
The uses of irony in The
Prologue
According to John Speir, "the irony is as
much in what is left unsaid as in what
is said." The irony is the best method
for exposing the good and bad points of
the characters. Chaucer used irony in a
good manner only to define the
behavior of some characters. His
aim is to bring to light the ugly
behavior of the people of his society.
His ironical remarks are not against
professions but against the people who
belong to these professions.
~~~~~~~~~~
1) Firstly, the whole conception of the
prioress's portrait is based on irony.
The description of her physical beauty
and dress suggests that she is the
heroine of some romance, but owing to
pressing economic stringency she has
to lead her secluded life in a convent.
The irony is highlighted by the conflict
between appearance and reality. The
words inscribed on her golden brooch
are Amor Vincit Omnia, meaning 'Love
conquers all things'. One wonders
whether she means by this motto
celestial or physical love? Here we find
that Chaucer's ironical description lies
in the fact that ' the surfaces reveal
what lies beneath'. The Prioress's
character is ironically presented by
Chaucer. One wonders what this wild
flower has to do in a cloistered
convent. The way she offers divine
prayers in a nasal tone and the way
she speaks French like a sophisticated
aristocrat is quite ironical.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2) Secondly, as we see the character of
the Merchant we find him always
talking about profit. He is always
boasted about the increase in his profit
which is ironical.
~~~~~~~~~
3) Thirdly, the irony lies in the fact that
the Monk is a great lover of horse
riding and hare hunting instead of his
ecclesiastical duties.
~~~~~~~~~
4) Fourthly, Chaucer ironically depicts the
Lawyer, that he pretends to be very
busy. But the situation is just opposite.
' and yet he seemed busier than he was
~~~~~~~~
'5) Fifthly, Chaucer's depiction of the
character of the Doctor of physic is
equally ironical.
~~~~~~~
6) Sixthly, the way the Reeve pleased his
feudal Lord by giving and lending him
from his own possessions is quite
ironical.
~~~~~~~
7) Seventhly, the irony lies in the
character of Wife of Bath. Who enjoyed
the conjugal happiness with five
husband's and is quite prepared for the
sixth one.
.
Chaucer's aim was to provide
entertainment to his readers and not
rectify the corruption of his time. So,
his victim was more the individual
than the instruction.