Which one of the following poems had been written as an allegorical lament on the death of the first wife of John of Gaunt?

Correct option is A

The correct option is (a) - The Book of the Duchess. "The Book of the Duchess" is a poem written by Geoffrey Chaucer, and it is considered one of his earlier works. This allegorical dream vision is believed to be a lament on the death of Blanche, the first wife of John of Gaunt, who was a prominent figure in medieval England. So, "The Book of the Duchess" tells the story of a dreamer who encounters a mourning knight in a meadow. The knight is grieving the loss of his wife, and through their conversation, the dreamer learns about the knight's deep sorrow. The poem draws parallels between the knight's grief and the historical context of John of Gaunt's mourning for his wife, Blanche. Blanche of Lancaster, John of Gaunt's first wife, died in 1369. The poem reflects on themes of love, loss, and the transient nature of life. The dreamer's encounter with the grieving knight serves as a vehicle for Chaucer to explore the complexities of human emotions and the impact of death on those left behind.