English Literature

SHUAIB ASGHAR GOVT. RAZVIA ISLAMIA COLLEGE HAROONABAD Though in Chaucer�s age, religion had a control over the minds and soul of the people, yet regrettably, its influence was corrupt. The monasteries were promoting corruption, exploiting the innocent folk and were earning money under the disguise of religion. Moralities and ethics were fading. The ecclesiastics had become notorious for their avarice, corruption and dishonesty. They had forgotten their sacred duties and had become degenerated. In �The Prologue�,   Chaucer   has drawn some portraits of the clergies of the 14th century   England, free from any personal prejudice. These are not exaggerated sketches and they realistically refer to the corruption, and religious and moral degradation that had crept into the ecclesiastical order of the day. His ironic portraits reveal that   Chaucer   had some idea of a code of conduct for clergies to follow but he is impartial and realistic and paints both the sides of picture. Through the p

SHUAIB ASGHAR GOVT. RAZVIA ISLAMIA COLLEGE HAROONABAD Satire Reveals Chaucer's Outlook Chaucer was a man of catholic (tolerant) spirit, so his natural bent of mind was towards humour, not towards satire. If humour is genial and sympathetic, satire is pungent and bitter. Chaucer's satire is mainly directed against religious corruption. The satirical tone is always present in the characters of the Monk, the Friar, the Prioress, the Pardoner, and the Summoner. Chaucer's contemporary William Langland was a vehement satirist against the church as an institution. But Chaucer's primary aim is to provide entertainment to his readers and not to correct the corruption of his age.           A satirist has always the intention of teaching or ridiculing but Chaucer, though always ready to criticize, has no such aims. As he takes things tolerantly, therefore his criticism is both good-humoured and kind-hearted. Some Expressions Containing Satire �    The Monk disregarded the Biblical

SHUAIB ASGHAR GOVT. RAZVIA ISLAMIA COLLEGE HAROONABAD Masefield calls Chaucer, �A great Renaissance gentleman mocking at the Middle Ages�. Chaucer may be regarded as the first great English humorist. His distaste for all extravagance and follies helped him to become a great comic poet. Chaucer's Many Sided Humour We know that humour can be used in a broad as well as in a limited sense. In a narrow sense, it means a gentle mirth. In the broader sense, it stands for boisterous humour (fun), intellectual humour (wit), and bitter humour (satire). Chaucer's work reflects all these different types of humour. Humanity In Chaucer's Humour As a humorist, Chaucer is a great humanist, because he loves mankind in spite of its foibles. Even while he gently unmasks the roguery of the rogues, he feels grateful to them as they give pleasure. There is no malice, spite or animosity in his inborn attitude of benevolence and tolerance. Chaucer Laughs At His Own Self The height of tolerance com

SHUAIB ASGHAR GOVT. RAZVIA ISLAMIA COLLEGE HAROONABAD Father of verse! who in immortal song First taught the Muse to speak English tongue.           When it is said that Chaucer is the father of English poetry and even the father of English literature, we broadly mean that his contribution to the evolution of English poetry or literature is much more significant than that of his contemporaries and predecessors.           He has been acclaimed as the first realist, first humorist, the first narrative artist, the first great character painter, and the first great metrical artist in English literature. Further he has been credited not only the fatherhood of English poetry but he has also been hailed as the father of English drama before the drama was born, and the father of English novel before the novel was born.           And what is more, his importance is not due to precedence alone, but due to excellence. Contribution To Language                         If the Emperor Augustus found

SHUAIB ASGHAR DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH GOVT. RAZVIA ISLAMIA COLLEGE HAROONABAD, PUNJAB PAKISTAN  Well does Compton Rickett observe: 'Chaucer symbolizes, as no other writer does, the Middle Ages. He stands in much the same relation to the life of his time as Pope does to the earlier phases to the Eighteenth century; and Tennyson to the Victorian era; and his place in English literature is even more important than theirs...' The social groups of thirty pilgrims cover the entire range of fourteenth century English society, leaving only royalty on one hand, and the lowest on the other. Medieval Chivalry Chaucer's knight is a true representative of the spirit of the medieval chivalry which was a blend of love, religion, and bravery. He has been a champion of not fewer than fifteen battles in the defense of Christianity. Being the embodiment of chivalric ideals, Chaucer's knight observes utmost courtesy. He was not only worthy in politeness but also wise in decisiveness. We must

SHUAIB ASGHAR DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH GOVT. RAZVIA ISLAMIA COLLEGE HAROONABAD, PUNJAB PAKISTAN AS A MEDIEVAL POET The Medieval Atmosphere It was customary in medieval England to travel with arms. The yeoman bears a gay dagger while the Miller carries a sword and a buckler by his side. Even the Reeve has with his a rusty blade. Common people's love of music is almost proverbial in that age. The Miller entertains his companions by playing the bagpipe. The Squire plays on a flute while the Friar sings to the accompaniment of a harp. The Pardoner sings---My dear love! Come here to me. Chaucer's Monk relishes a fat swan and the Summoner is fond of strong wine. All these things are typically observed in the Medieval Ages. The Typical Medieval Figures          As a colourist, Chaucer describes contemporary dresses and manners. He throws on canvas men who belong to typical professions of the Medieval Ages. For instance, there are the Yeoman, the Merchant, the Shipman, the Doctor, the Man

SHUAIB ASGHAR GOVT. RAZVIA ISLAMIA COLLEGE HAROONABAD   The Prologue To The Canterbury Tales By G. Chaucer (1340-1400) 1.     Representation Of 14 th Century In England 2.     Humour 3.     Satire And Irony 4.     Chaucer�s Treatment Of Ecclesiastical Characters 5.     Chaucer�s Contribution In English Language And Versification 6.     Chaucer: A Medieval As Well As Modern Faerie Queene (1590) By Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) 1.     As An Allegory 2.     Plan And Purpose Of The Poem 3.     Elements Of Renaissance And Reformation 4.     As An Epic Or Romance 5.     Edmund Spenser As A Poet Love And Divine Poems By John Donne (1572-1631) 1.     As A Metaphysical Poet 2.     Wit In Donne�s Poetry 3.     Conceits In Donne�s Poetry 4.   A Critical Evaluation Of The Sun Rising, Good Morrow, Twicknam Garden. 5.     John Donne As A Love Poet Paradise Lost (1667) By John Milton (1608-1674) 1.     Epic Similes 2.     Milton �s Grand Style 3.     Blank Verse 4.     Description Of Hell 5.     Who Is