Troilus and Criseyde Free Audiobook Download

Author : Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343 – 25 October 1400) is widely regarded as the "father of English literature" and a seminal figure in poetry, renowned for his influential work, The Canterbury Tales. He occupies a unique place in literary history, being the first poet interred in Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner. Besides his literary contributions, Chaucer was an accomplished philosopher and astronomer, authoring A Treatise on the Astrolabe for his son, Lewis. His career spanned various roles in civil service, including bureaucrat, courtier, and diplomat. Among his other notable works are The Book of the Duchess, The House of Fame, and The Legend of Good Women, along with Troilus and Criseyde. Chaucer played a pivotal role in establishing Middle English as a legitimate literary language at a time when Anglo-Norman French and Latin were dominant. His contemporary Thomas Hoccleve even referred to him as "the firste fyndere of our fair langage," highlighting his significant impact on the English language, with nearly two thousand words first recorded in his writings. However, as scholar Bruce Holsinger notes, exploring Chaucer's life and work reveals complexities, as his varied personas often reflect an ironic and elusive nature that continues to intrigue scholars today.