Geoffrey Chaucer is considered to be the greatest English poet of the middle ages and he is also my favorite poet. While I appreciate all forms of poetry, I rarely read poems for entertainment. Even though Chaucer wrote in verse, most of his masterpieces read like a novel. Chaucer was also master of satire which happens to be my favorite kind of humor.
Chaucer wrote in what scholars consider Middle English, or more specifically, late medieval London English. Because Chaucer lived in the English capitol, where English was become standardized, the language that Chaucer spoke is closer to modern English than many other forms of middle English. I find it easiest to read Chaucer in his original language next to a modern English translation.
I’ve always been fond of satire in all its forms and Chaucer was one of the greatest Satirists of all. In his poetry, particularly the Canterbury tales, Chaucer satirizes all classes of life including the peasants, the knightly class and especially the church. His characterizations can seem crude, for example his writing is full of scatological humor and plenty of sexual innuendo, but he always uses crudeness as a means to satirize. For me Chaucer is always refreshing, especially in an era of overtly political correctness. Everyone was fair game for Chaucer. He could flatter when he wanted to but more importantly he used his wit to devastate those he thought to be hypocritical.
Chaucer may be known for his major works in verse form, such as Parlement of Foules, The Legend of Good Women, Troilus and Criseyde, and especially the Canterbury Tales, but he also wrote many short poems which stand alone. One of Chaucer’s most humorous short poems is called “The Complaint of Chaucer to his Purse.” The poem is written as a typical love poem except he is addresses his purse instead of a woman. Chaucer even refers to his purse in the feminine tense. See the supporting links section for links to the poem in old and Modern English.
The “The Complaint of Chaucer to his Purse” is addressed to the new king Henry IV. In this poem Chaucer pleads the king to renew his annuity which was given to him by the former king, Richard II. Henry IV violently usurped the throne and had his predecessor, Richard II, secretly murdered. Chaucer prospered under his former patron, Richard II, but had trouble finding patronage in the regime of Henry IV. King Henry was not interested in the patronage of literature as his predecessor was. King Henry may have even been hostile towards Chaucer and it may not be a coincidence that Chaucer vanishes at this time from the record at this time. This poem could possibly be the last Chaucer ever wrote.
“The Complaint of Chaucer to his Purse” is written in in three sections with an envoi at the end. An envoi functions as a conclusion or a dedication at the end of a poem. The envoi in “The Complaint of Chaucer to his Purse” switches from a comic tone to a serious one when Chaucer attempts to flatter the king and convince him to restore his annuity.
Sources:
A. W. Pollard, “The Life of Geoffry Chaucer,” Luminarium
Carol Rumens, “Poem of the week: The Complaint of Chaucer to His Purse.” The Guardian
Reference:
- www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/feb/02/complaint-chaucer-purse-poetry
- www.umm.maine.edu/faculty/necastro/chaucer/translation/short/short.html
