Geoffrey Chaucer (1343? - October 25, 1400) was influenced by two great Italian authors whose lifetimes overlapped with his: Giovanni Boccaccio (1313? - July 19, 1374) and Francesco Petrarca (July 20, 1304 - July 19, 1374). He additionally was influenced by a great Italian author whose post-humous impact never has stopped on the world's writers: Dante Alighieri (1265 - September 14, 1321).
Geoffrey Chaucer's inspiration for "Troilus and Criseyde" was likely the ancient Greek myth of Troilus and Briseis from "The Iliad" by Homer. He may have also drawn inspiration from the medieval tradition of courtly love literature and contemporary Italian works, such as Giovanni Boccaccio's "Il Filostrato."
Geoffrey Chaucer drew inspiration for his poems from a variety of sources, including classical literature, French poetry, Italian poetry, and his own experiences. He was also influenced by the cultural and social climate of England during the 14th century. Chaucer's works often reflect a blend of different traditions and genres.
In Chaucer's time, Middle English was the language spoken in England. It was a transitioning period between Old English and Modern English, and during this time, English was heavily influenced by French due to the Norman Conquest.
Boccaccio
Dante Alighieri, Geoffrey Chaucer, Anthony Burgess
Chaucer wrote in English, and Dante wrote in Italian, although both were working with older versions than we have now. Chaucer was writing in what they call "Middle English," which is often hard for modern speakers to understand. Dante's Divine Comedy was written in the Tuscan dialect, which was significant at the time because most people were writing poetry in Latin, and writing in other, "lesser" languages was considered uncool. :)
No, Giovanni Boccaccio did not tell the Canterbury Tales story. The Canterbury Tales was written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century. Boccaccio was an Italian writer known for works like the Decameron.
Chaucer wrote in English, and Dante wrote in Italian, although both were working with older versions than we have now. Chaucer was writing in what they call "Middle English," which is often hard for modern speakers to understand. Dante's Divine Comedy was written in the Tuscan dialect, which was significant at the time because most people were writing poetry in Latin, and writing in other, "lesser" languages was considered uncool. :)
Dante Alighieri, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Miguel de Cervantes are three famous writers who wrote in the vernacular, which means they wrote in their native languages (Italian, Middle English, and Spanish) rather than in Latin.
Francesco Petrarca, also known as Petrarch, is often referred to as the father of Italian Humanism. He was a poet, scholar, and one of the earliest humanists, known for his writings that promoted the revival of classical learning and a focus on individualism.
Canterbury Tales is an English literary classic. There are many theories as to why the Canterbury Tales were written. Among these is the idea that he wanted people to get some insight into British society.
The works of Chaucer, Dante Alighieri, and Wycliffe were important because they helped shape the development of literature and language during the medieval period. Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" is considered a cornerstone of English literature, Dante's "Divine Comedy" influenced Italian literature, and Wycliffe's translation of the Bible into English played a significant role in the spread of vernacular languages. Their works also provided insights into the social, political, and religious contexts of their time.