Caption: "The Works of Chaucer, 'The noble rethor poete of brytayne' - Caxton, printed by Adam Islip, London, 1602. It has been the privilege of few human beings to enjoy the breadth and variety of personal experiences of life that were the lot of England's first great poet, Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340-1400). He was a page in the royal household, prisoner of war, foreign diplomat, collector of customs, member of Parliament, and clerk of the King's works. His personal background and wide reading in Latin, French and Italian ('of bokes rede I ofte, as I you tolde'), is mirrored in his Canterbury Tales. According to Dryden, 'The matter and the manner of these tales and of their telling, are so suited to their different Education, Humor and Calling, that each would be improper in any other mouth.' These tales represent almost every type of medieval literature: the pious tale, the saint's legend, the sermon, the metrical romance and the romantic epic. The Canterbury Tales is Chaucer's most famous and varied work. Troilus and Criseyde, the most finished work of Chaucer, is one of the finest narratives in the English language. The poem, while dealing with an unimportant event of the Trojan war, becomes a great psychological study of the leading character, Troilus, son of King Priam, and of his love of the widow Criseyde. In mood, the work ranges from gay wit to tragic grief. Chaucer’s Romaunt of the Rose is a masterful translation of the great French allegory of refined love. Adam Islip printed in London from the year 1594 to 1603. His first edition of Chaucer’s work was issued in 1598. Many ‘reforms’ and ‘improvements’ were made in the second Islip edition, ‘Sentences and proverbs noted … obscure words prooued, the Latine and French not Englished by Chaucer, translated.’”
Tales, Medieval Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages--England--Canterbury--Poetry English literature--Middle English, 1100-1500 Literature, Medieval Printing--England--History--17th century Early printed books--Specimens Printing--Specimens
Place
London (England)
Source
Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University
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