Correct option is C
Explanation:
Chaucer's life and career can be categorized into three primary influences, often referred to as the "Italian," "French," and "English" periods of his work.
These periods reflect the literary traditions and cultures that influenced his writing throughout his life.
Italian Period:
- During this phase, Chaucer was heavily influenced by Italian writers, particularly Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio.
- This influence is especially evident in works like The Divine Comedy and The Canterbury Tales, where Chaucer adopted a range of literary styles inspired by these Italian writers.
French Period:
- Chaucer spent significant time working in the court of Edward III, where the French language was dominant.
- His early works, like The Book of the Duchess, show the influence of French courtly literature.
English Period:
- In his final period, Chaucer returned to writing in English, focusing on works that would become cornerstones of English literature, such as The Canterbury Tales.
- He used English to write some of his most important contributions to the literary world, reinforcing the legitimacy of English as a literary language.
However, Spanish does not have a period of influence on Chaucer’s writing,
Information Booster:
Chaucer’s Italian Influence:
Chaucer traveled to Italy and was greatly influenced by the works of Italian authors. Dante’s Divine Comedy, Petrarch’s sonnets, and Boccaccio's Decameron left a lasting imprint on Chaucer’s literary development.
Chaucer’s French Influence:
During the early part of his career, Chaucer was employed in the royal court, where French was the language of diplomacy and the elite. His early works reflect the French tradition of courtly love and allegory.
Chaucer’s English Contribution:
By the time of his most famous work, The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer had fully embraced the use of English in literature. He is often credited with elevating the English language to a level of cultural and literary prestige.
Chaucer’s Role in Literary History:
Chaucer’s works mark the transition of English literature from the medieval to the Renaissance, making him one of the most important figures in the history of the English language.