The book of the duchess, also known as the deth of blaunche, is the earliest of chaucers major poems, preceded only by his short poem, an abc, and. Geoffrey chaucer audio books, best sellers, author bio audible. This book spoke only of such things as the lives of queens and kings, and like matters without fail. Book of the duchess, one of chaucers earliest works, for. View more articles from the journal of english and germanic philology. Geoffrey chaucers classic canterbury tales has here been rendered into clear and contemporary english prose. Prologue to the canterbury tales, by geoffrey chaucer in library of the. All librivox recordings are in the public domain in the usa and available as free downloads on. The book of the duchess, also known as the dreame of chaucer, is the first major long poem published by geoffrey chaucer. The canterbury tales is a collection of stories written in middle english by geoffrey chaucer in the 14th century two of them in prose, the rest in verse.
The tales, some of which are originals and others not, are contained inside a frame tale and told by a group of pilgrims on their way from southwark to canterbury to visit the shrine of saint thomas becket at canterbury cathedral. Troilus and criseyde is a poem by geoffrey chaucer which retells in middle english. Librivox volunteers bring you 6 different recordings of the prologue to the canterbury tales, lines 118 by geoffrey chaucer. The virtuous duchess of malfi, a young widow, secretly marries her steward antonio, and is subsequently persecuted by her brothers. The book of the duchess southern methodist university. Chaucer has been styled the father of english literature. The book of the duchess, chaucers first major poem, is foundational for our understanding of chaucers literary achievements in relation to latemedieval english textual production. The book of the duchess and other poems summary gradesaver. Chaucers poem the book of the duchess was written to commemorate the death. The canterbury tales is a collection of stories written in middle english by geoffrey chaucer in the 14th century two of them in prose, the rest. Opening title of the dreame of chaucer, commonly referred to as the book of the duchess, geoffrey chaucer s first own work, which was written probably between 68 and 72. Master the laws of human nature with robert greene and lewis howes duration. Librivox acoustical liberation of books in the public domain menu.
Widely seen as the greatest english poet of the middle ages, he is best known for the canterbury tales. A new unabridged translation by burton geoffrey chaucer. In 86, chaucer became controller of customs and justice of peace and, in 89, clerk of the kings work. The duchess was blanche white, the wife of john of gaunt, duke of lancaster long castle and earl of richmond rich hill, who was chaucer s patron, and a son of edward iii.
It was during these years that chaucer began working on his most famous text, the canterbury tales. My last duchess puts in the mouth of a duke of ferrara, a typical husband and art patron of the renaissance. The poem was composed sometime in the few years after this event, and it is generally considered to be flattering to both the duke and the duchess. Among his many works, which include the book of the duchess, the house of fame, the legend of good women. The book of the duchess is a poem of the dreamvision genre, presumably composed as an elegy for the death of blanche, duchess of lancaster the wife of geoffrey chaucers patron, the royal duke of lancaster, john of gaunt in 68 or 69. Chaucers use of the octosyllabic verse in the book of the. Tales of caunterbury is a collection of 24 stories that runs to over 17,000 lines written in middle english by geoffrey chaucer between 87 and 1400. And in this book were written fables that scholars had in ancient times, and other poets, set in rhymes 55 to read and preserve in mind when men still lived by law of kind.
Librivox founded in 2005 is a community of volunteers from all over the world who record public domain texts. He was the first writer buried in poets corner of westminster abbey. The characters, introduced in the general prologue of the book, tell tales of great cultural relevance. Chaucers use of the octosyllabic verse in the book of the duchess and the house of fame is an article from the journal of english and germanic philology, volume 12. The canterbury tales middle english geoffrey chaucer c. Chaucer also gained fame as a philosopher and astronomer.