Theme of Prologue - Geoffrey Chaucer

  It has been generally and frequently remarked that Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the most prominent and eminent literary figures of the fourteenth century. He did great services to English language in general and English literature in particular. Dryden says that he is the perpetual fountain of good sense. He was the first great character painter, first humanist and first great artist. Here we are about to discuss Chaucer’s theme of ‘Prologue to the Canterbury Tales’. The prologue consists of 858 lines in total. First of all, it tells us about the journey of the pilgrims to the Canterbury. We come to know that a group of pilgrims is on the way to Shrine of St. Thomas. The prologue opens with a detailed description of the spring which takes its birth with the arrival of April after cruel March. Everything looks shining and bright on the earth. The rain harmonizing with Zephyrus (west wind) comes and enlightens every thing and every creature. The plants are urged by dense drops ...