Question and Answer For History of English Literature

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1. AGE OF CHAUCER (1350-1400)
The Hundred Years’ War

1. What was the main reason the Hundred Years’ War began between England
and France?
Ans. The Hundred Years’ War started because both England and France wanted control over the French throne. When the king of France died without a son, England’s King Edward III claimed he had a right to the French crown because his mother was a French princess. However, the French nobles didn’t agree and chose Philip VI as their king. This disagreement over who should rule France led to a long struggle between the two countries.

2. How did the Hundred Years’ War impact the lives of people in England,
including Geoffrey Chaucer?
Ans. The war affected everyone, from soldiers to common people. Many English soldiers were sent to France to fight, while people back home paid more taxes to fund the war. Chaucer himself fought briefly in France and was captured, only to be ransomed by the king, showing his value to the English crown. The war also stirred up a sense of English pride and identity, which became a strong theme during Chaucer’s time.

3. What types of characters in The Canterbury Tales might have been influenced
by the effects of the Hundred Years’ War, and why?
Ans. Characters like the Knight and the Squire in The Canterbury Tales were likely inspired by the English soldiers who fought in the war. The Knight is presented as brave and honorable, with a history of fighting in battles, which might remind readers of the English soldiers who fought to defend their country and win land in France.

4. How did the war affect English pride and identity during Chaucer’s time?
Ans. The Hundred Years’ War helped strengthen English pride. As the English army won important battles like the Battle of Crécy and the Battle of Agincourt, people began to feel more united and proud to be English. This growing sense of national pride encouraged people to value the English language, which is partly why Chaucer chose to write The Canterbury Tales in English instead of French or Latin, making literature more accessible to everyday people. Read More...