The Age of Chaucer

The Cambridge Contexts in Literature series is designed for advanced level students of English literature. Each title in the series has the quality, content and level endorsed by the OCR examination board. However, the texts provide the background and focus suitable for any examination board at advanced level. The literary, historical and social contexts are explored in each title and students are encouraged to investigate varying interpretations of the text. The Age of Chaucer moves from the historical context of ‘The world Chaucer knew’, through the beginnings of English poetry, historical changes in the poet’s reputation (including the Pre-Raphaelite medieval revival) to recent developments in Chaucer criticism. Aspects of writing about Chaucer such as narrative style and language are discussed, and in addition to Chaucer’s own tales, the book includes contemporary extracts from texts such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and a York Mystery play.