In The Canterbury Tale, Chaucer brings together people from many walks of life such as knight, prioress, monk; merchant, man of law, franklin, scholarly clerk; miller, reeve, pardoner; wife of Bath and many others. The stories offer complex depictions of the pilgrims, while, at the same time, the tales present remarkable examples of short narratives in verse.
Geoffrey Chaucer is widely acknowledged as the most outstanding English poet before William Shakespeare. He is also touted as the first finder of English language and his The Canterbury Tales ranks as one of the greatest poetic works in English. Although he also contributed importantly in the management of public affairs during the period, it is his writing of poetry for which he is remembered today. The main features of Chaucerยs works are their variety in subject matter, genre, tone, and style.
Due to his writings, Chaucer emerged as poet of love ย both earthly and divine. Book of the Duchess ย his first important poem ย seems evidence of his connection with persons in high places. Many consider Troilus and Criseyde as Chaucerยs finest work, greater even than the far more widely read The Canterbury Tales.