Comparative analysis of poets

 

Comparative analysis of Chaucer,

Spenser and Shakespeare. 

Thinking activity task given by Dr. Dilip Barad sir.

                                             

Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare are major poets of English literature. They shape not only poetics but society and traditions also, through their work and each in their own way. Let’s examine their poetics style, theme, work and contribution to English literature and their influence on subsequent literary traditions.

Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400)  :- 14th century

• English poet, author and civil servant best known for The Canterbury Tales .He has been called ‘Father of English Literature.’ Inspired by the Latin and French language through his travel and decided to start writing in his native language English. His influence was huge. He showed that English could be just as good for poetry as Latin and franch. 

Edmund Spenser (1552-1599):-  16th century

• Spenser was best known for his The Faerie Queene ,an epic poem. Make English poetry fancy. His famous work is ‘The lord of the rings’ and ‘Alice in wonderland’ .He wrote allegorical poems. ‘Complaints’ is his poetry collection. ‘Amoretti’ is his sonnet.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616):- 16th century

• William Shakespeare is often called England’s national. He wrote 39 plays and 154 sonnets. Shakespeare is probably the most famous writer in the English language. While he's best known for his plays, he was also a brilliant poet.

Let’s analyze 3 poets theme, style , contribution to English literature , Influences on subsequently traditions :

1. Poetics styles:-

Chaucer	Spenser	Shakespeare
He started writing in the English language before his literature and others written in Latin and French.	Developed Spenserian stanza ( nine lines with specific rhyme scheme).	He became proficient in sonnet form particularly in  his sequence of 154 sonnets.
He liked to write in different form of poetry like Heroic couplet, and different rhymes.	He loved to use old fashioned words to make his poetry sound epic.	He created new words and used old words in new ways.
He used humor and irony in his character like different personalities.	He combined classical mythology with English folklore and Christian themes.	He also included a ton of poetry in his plays, often using a style called blank verse (unrhymed lines with ten syllables each).

2. Themes :- 

Chaucer	Spenser	Shakespeare
Social satire and criticism of middle class society	Elizabethan poetics and nationalism	Power, ambition and politics
Human nature and storytelling	Love and Beauty Classical mythology	Love , desire and relationships Nature of humanity
Religion and morality	Virtue and morality	Time and morality

3. Contribution to English Literature:-

Chaucer	Spenser	Shakespeare
Established english as literary language	Established allegorical poetry as a major genre.	Raise the art of dramatic poetry.
Influenced poetic form and language, especially for epic and allegorical poetry.	Influenced the development of poetic language and form.	Explored universal themes. Mastered in the form of sonnet.
Developed realistic characterization in poetry.	Bridged medieval and Renaissance literary traditions.	Expressing ability of English language.

4. Influences on Subsequent Literary Traditions:

Chaucer	Spenser	Shakespeare
He used native language (English) in his work ‘The Canterbury Tales’.	His Spenserian stanza was adapted by romantic poets Byron and Keats.	Development English drama and poetry.
Development of English satire .	Allegory and epic traditions.	Exploring human nature.
Influenced storytelling technique .	National identity with his work ‘The faerie queene’.	He wrote any topic make its sound amazing.