12 Must-Read Geoffrey Chaucer Poems

Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the most important English-language writers of all time, especially of the Middle Ages. He is best known for The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories from different speakers. He was also the first writer to be buried in Westminster Abbey in the Poets’ Corner. During his life, he worked as a diplomat and member of parliament, among other professions.

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Characters in The Canterbury Tales

The Thirty Pilgrims in ‘The Canterbury Tales’ and the host belong to diverse ranks and professions representing the contemporaneous society.

ONCE ON A TIME, as old tales tell to us,

There was a duke whose name was Theseus;

Of Athens he was lord and governor,

And in his time was such a conqueror

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The Canterbury Tales: General Prologue

‘The Canterbury Tales: General Prologue’ by Geoffrey Chaucer expresses the poem’s satirical view on the society of its time.

Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote,

The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,

And bathed every veyne in swich licóur

Of which vertú engendred is the flour;

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Part IX: The Merchant’s Tale

In Part IX, Damian and May enact their long-awaited plans to engage in adultery. Pluto ensures the two are discovered as he restores January’s sight.

In this section of the poem, Chaucer's affinity for satire and unconventional humour works in his favour to create a humorously dissatisfying end to this long tale. His mastery over this form is particularly apparent in the final stanza, which becomes the epitome of bathos: no consequences are suffered, no changes occur, and no one wins. While this ending is undoubtedly frustrating to some, those who share Chaucer's ironic humour enjoy the anticlimactic ending of a tale which featured so much tension.

Now lat us turne agayn to Januarie,

That in the gardyn with his faire May

Syngeth ful murier than the papejay,

"Yow love I best, and shal, and oother noon."

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Part I: The Merchant’s Tale

‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer features January’s quest for a wife and the Merchant’s satirical views on marriage.

As an introduction to one of Chaucer’s most complex tales, Part I highlights his ability to blend humor, satire, and social commentary. His wit and narrative control keep the poem engaging, ensuring that even the Merchant’s cynicism remains compelling within the larger, interconnected framework of The Canterbury Tales.

Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye

A worthy knyght, that born was of Payve,

In which he lyved in greet prosperitee;

And sixty yeer a wyflees man was hee,

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Part II: The Merchant’s Tale

This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer establishes January’s impossible expectations of a wife and his own shortcomings.

Part II showcases Chaucer’s mastery of irony and layered storytelling, skillfully intertwining humor, social critique, and poetic craftsmanship. His ability to balance the Merchant’s cynicism with the unfolding tale demonstrates his nuanced approach to character-driven narration, making this section both insightful and entertaining.

With face sad his tale he hath hem toold.

He seyde, "Freendes, I am hoor and oold,

And almoost, God woot, on my pittes brynke;

Upon my soule somewhat moste I thynke.

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Part III: The Merchant’s Tale

This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer introduces January’s friends and their opinions on marriage.

Chaucer’s narrative control shines in Part III, balancing humor, irony, and character-driven storytelling. His ability to weave satire into poetic form ensures the tale remains compelling, using the Merchant’s perspective to add layers of meaning while subtly critiquing societal norms and human folly.

Diverse men diversely hym tolde

Of mariage manye ensamples olde.

Somme blamed it, somme preysed it, certeyn,

But atte laste, shortly for to seyn,

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Part IV: The Merchant’s Tale

This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer revisits the counsel of January’s friends and introduces his new wife.

Part IV highlights Chaucer’s ability to weave humor and irony into poetic form. His layered storytelling allows him to mock both January’s foolishness and the Merchant’s bitterness, making this section a masterful example of Chaucer’s wit, narrative complexity, and keen observation of human nature.

Heigh fantasye and curious bisynesse

Fro day to day gan in the soule impresse

Of Januarie aboute his mariage.

Many a fair shap and many a fair visage

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Part V: The Merchant’s Tale

This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer introduces January’s squire and provides details of the wedding night.

Chaucer’s skillful balance of irony and humor is evident in Part V, as he weaves together themes of love, power, and deception. His ability to manipulate the narrator’s voice while subtly critiquing the characters reinforces his reputation as a master storyteller, making this section both sharp and engaging.

Mayus, that sit with so benyngne a chiere,

Hire to biholde it semed fayerye.

Queene Ester looked nevere with swich an ye

On Asseur, so meke a look hath she.

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Loving Someone You Can't Have

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Part VI: The Merchant’s Tale

Part VI of Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ explores moral values as May and Damian begin their affair.

In Part VI, Chaucer expertly balances humor and tension, showcasing his mastery of irony and characterization. His ability to blend poetic elegance with biting social critique keeps the narrative engaging, making this section a striking example of his skill in transforming everyday concerns into compelling literary satire.

Now wol I speke of woful Damyan,

That langwissheth for love, as ye shul heere;

Therfore I speke to hym in this manere:

I seye, "O sely Damyan, allas!

#10

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Part VII: The Merchant’s Tale

In Part VII of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’, Chaucer delves deep into symbolism as Damian and May make the final arrangements for their affair.

Chaucer’s brilliance as a storyteller is evident in Part VII, where he masterfully balances humor, irony, and social critique. His ability to layer multiple perspectives—through both the Merchant’s cynicism and the characters’ schemes—makes this section one of the most compelling in The Merchant’s Tale, rich in both wit and insight.

Somme clerkes holden that felicitee

Stant in delit, and therfore certeyn he,

This noble Januarie, with al his myght,

In honest wyse, as longeth to a knyght,

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Part VIII: The Merchant’s Tale

In Part VIII, while May sets her adulterous plans into motion, deities Pluto and Proserpina debate about the nature of women.

In part eight of this tale, Chaucer displays his passion for mythology. This section details a heated exchange between the Roman deities Pluto and Proserpina, who he proves to have a wealth of knowledge regarding. Chaucer also demonstrates his affinity for satirical humour, as this section criticises and humbles the characters of Pluto, January, and the Merchant. The latter two characters have proven to be significant characters throughout the tale. Chaucer voices the readers' frustrations with the two characters as Proserpina highlights all of their inane and problematic behaviours.

This Januarie, as blynd as is a stoon,

With Mayus in his hand, and no wight mo,

Into his fresshe gardyn is ago,

And clapte to the wyket sodeynly.

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The Merchant’s Prologue

‘The Merchant’s Prologue’ is the introduction to ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ and serves to establish the Merchant as an unreliable narrator.

Chaucer’s characterization of the Merchant in 'The Merchant’s Prologue' is a testament to his skill in crafting complex, unreliable narrators. Through humor and irony, he presents a figure both comical and pitiable, using the Merchant’s frustrations to frame The Merchant’s Tale as a sharp critique of idealized marriage.

"Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe

"Weeping and wailing, grief and other sorrow

1214 I knowe ynogh, on even and a-morwe,"

I know enough, on evenings and mornings,"

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