Literature Library author
Geoffrey Chaucer
A concise guide to Geoffrey Chaucer's body of work, major titles, and recurring themes.
Author overview
Geoffrey Chaucer (1343–1400) was a poet and philosopher whose body of work spans narrative poem. This writing is associated with Kingdom of England. Major works and useful reading starting points include Chaucer's complaint unto his purse, The compleynt of Venus, The compleynt unto Pity, and The Complaint of Mars. Key themes include social class and professional identity, marriage, desire, and authority, and storytelling, satire, and moral ambiguity.
Reading pathway
Begin with The Canterbury Tales, then move to The Pardoner's Tale, then move to The Wife of Bath's Tale.