Interview with Chaucer

Press, 10 December 1982, Page 15

Interview with Chaucer

In the final interview of the current series of "The Late Late Show,” screening tonight on One, Bryan Bruce talks to Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of "The Canterbury Tales.” The medieval gentleman is portrayed by Colin Gibson, professor of English at the University of Otago. Some doubt clouds the official year of Chaucer’s birth. It is known that it was between the years of 1340 and 1344. He was born in London, the son of John Chaucer, a vintner. In 1357 Chaucer was a page in the household of Prince Lionel, later Duke of Clarence, whom he served for many years. In 1359-60 he was with King Edward Ill’s army in France where he was captured, but later ransomed. By 1366 he had married Philippa Roet, who was probably the sister of John of Gaunt’s third wife. Between the years of 1370-78 Chaucer was frequently employed on diplomatic missions to the Continent, and from 1374 he held a number of official positions. His literary activity is often divided into three periods: the first, his early

work to 1370. is modelled on French writers of the time; the second, up to 1387, is his Italian period; and the third from 1387 onwards, includes his masterpiece, the unfinished poem, “The Canterbury Tales,” which comprises about 17,000 lines and is one of the most brilliant works in all literature. “The Canterbury Tales” introduces a group of pilgrims journeying from London to the shrine of St Thomas a Beckett at Canterbury. To help pass the time they decide to tell stories, which vividly indicate medieval attitude's and customs concerning love, marriage and religion. Through Chaucer’s superb powers of characterisation, the pilgrims — such as the earthy wife of Bath, the gentle knight, the wordly prioress, the evil summoner — come intensely alive. • Next week “Cries from a Watchtower,” a 8.8. C. play by Stephen Lowe, will screen during this time-slot. The play is about a young man who is a watch repairer with a market stall in Nottingham, and who has to learn to adjust to the advent of digital watches.