Geoffrey Chaucer Research Paper

Historical poet Geoffrey Chaucer may have had many reasons to write his famous works. However, in his most famous and well-known poem, The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer seemed intent on telling the stories of the different classes of people alive during his time. A significance behind each story told in the poem itself. Throughout these twenty-four pieces, everyone is able to relate and see themselves in a way that is easy to understand. Although Chaucer lived during the fourteenth century, the important meaning and message are relevant in the twenty-first century as well. Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London in the year 1340 to a middle-class family. His father owned a wine business (Bio). Chaucer attended a private school named St. Paul’s

It was here, where he was most likely introduced, then later influenced, to write poetry. When Chaucer was in his teen years he served as a servant to Countess Elizabeth of Ulster, the Duke of Clarence’s wife (Bio). Although he was not paid a significant amount of money, Chaucer earned enough to buy his own food and clothing. After only two years of being a public servant, he went to France to fight in the Hundred Years’ War (Bio). While fighting, Chaucer was captured for ransom. However, because he had many royal connections, King Edward III helped pay his ransom. Once released, Chaucer joined the Royal Service and traveled throughout Europe (Bio). At the age of twenty-six, Chaucer married Philippa Roet, the daughter of Sir Payne Roet. The marriage helped advance Chaucer’s career in the English court (Bio). Then two short years later, King Edward III appointed the young man to be one of his esquires (Bio). From 1370-1373, Chaucer again went aboard in Europe where he also studied more works of Italian poets such as Dante and Petrarch (Bio). He and his wife, Philippa, continued traveling, but he was always too busy to do what he wanted to do most, write. When he realized that writing was his passion, he asked the King for a