Chaucer

""Chaucer"" by Adolphus William Ward is a comprehensive biography of the famous medieval English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer. The book covers Chaucer's life, including his childhood, education, career, and relationships with prominent figures of his time. Ward also delves into Chaucer's literary works, analyzing their themes, styles, and historical contexts. The book provides a detailed look at the cultural and social milieu of Chaucer's era, offering insights into the literary and intellectual trends of the time. Ward's writing is engaging and accessible, making this book an excellent resource for scholars, students, and general readers interested in Chaucer and medieval literature.But, in accordance with the taste of his age, which shunned such sheer straightforwardness in poetry, the ""Book of the Duchess"" contains no further transparent reference to the actual circumstances of the wedded life which had come to so premature an end--for John of Gaunt had married Blanche of Lancaster in 1359;--and an elaborate framework is constructed round the essential theme of the poem. Already, however, the instinct of Chaucer's own poetic genius had taught him the value of personal directness; and, artificially as the course of the poem is arranged, it begins in the most artless and effective fashion with an account given by the poet of his own sleeplessness and its cause.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.