Chaucer and the French Dichotomy: A Study of the French Influence on the Poetry of Geoffrey Chaucer

Abstract

Chaucer went through no single English or French period. He was at all times an English poet, writing for English readers. And at all times he showed a definite Frenoh tinge in his writings. The ltalian influence, while definite, was never as strong as Chaucer's French heritage and English poetic aims. The purpose of my paper is to show this French heritage, its background, and its influence on the poetry of Chaucer. To do so completely would entail several volumes. Consequently I discuss general themes, and then show specific influences in selected works only. [From Preface]