Why does chaucer use rhyming couplets

Can you see how an English poet might combine a ballade stanza with the borrowed Italian or Petrarchan sonnet to create a new form of the sonnet stanza.

How might the repetition of rhyme words, especially the unexpected repetition in couplets formed when the alternating rhyme switches, affect the way the mind juxtaposes those rhymed words. In Chaucer's "Gentilesse," for instance, notice how the red rhymes tend to contain major moral qualities, and the repetition of the last line bears down on the higher status readers with increasing force each time it reappears.

What does it imply about their heirs? Chronological View of English Gentilesse A rough prose translation. The firste fader and findere of gentilesse , A If any man wishes to be "gentil," he must follow the path What man desireth gentil for to be B of Jesus, who first discovered and gave us "gentilesse," Moste folwe his traas, and ale his wittes dresse A and he must focus his mind to seek moral strength and Vertu to sue, and vices for to flee : B flee vices. Because we should give social honor to those with For unto vertu longeth dignitee , B moral strength, rather than assuming those with high status And naught the revers, saufly dar I deeme, C are virtuous, it's safe to say, Al were he mitre, crowne, or diademe.

C no matter whether they're kings, emperors, or popes. This firste stok was ground of rightwisnesse , Jesus founded right behavior, being Trewe of his word, sobre, pitous, and free , truthful, self-controled, merciful and generous, Clene of his gost, and loved bisinese spiritually pure, and energetic in good deeds to Against the vice of slouthe, in honestee ; shun sloth, truely; And but his heir love vertu as dide he , but unless one's heir loves "vertu" as Jesus did, He is nat gentil, though he riche seeme , that heir is not "gentil," although he seems to have high status, Al were he mitre, crowne, or diademe.

Vice may wel be heir to old richesse , Viscious men can inherit ancient wealth, But ther may no man, as ye may wel see , but no man may, as you can plainly see, Biquethe his heir his vertuous noblesse : give his heir his own noble virtue: That is appropred unto no degree that is given to no group of whatever their social status But to the firste fader in majestee , but rather is given to Jesus in Heaven, That maketh his heir him that wol him queme , who makes those his spiritual heirs as it pleases him, Al were he mitre, crowne, or diademe.

The firste fader and findere of gentilesse ,. If any man wishes to be "gentil," he must follow the path. What man desireth gentil for to be. Moste folwe his traas, and ale his wittes dresse.

Geoffrey Chaucer? Introduction to the "General Prologue". Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which vertu engendred is the flour; Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth Inspired hath in every holt and heeth The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne Hath in the Ram his halve cours yronne, And smale foweles maken melodye, That slepen al the nyght with open ye So priketh hem nature in hir corages ; Thanne longen folk to goon on pigrimages, So what's the relevance of the "Canterbury Tales"?

Eliot "The Waste Land". April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth with forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. But Chaucer will often do the opposite. Take the line "Than longen folk to goon on pilgrimages" General Prologue The subject, "folk," comes after the verb, "longen.

The reason for it is to help him keep his couplets rhyming, but darn does it make the Tales hard to read sometimes! Parents Home Homeschool College Resources. Study Guide.