Bard of the Middle Ages - The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer

The Modern Scholar

By: Prof. Michael Drout

Narrated by: Michael Drout

Had Geoffrey Chaucer not written, or not written so well, the last 600 years of English literature would have been decidedly different. His creative style and use of language served as one of the primary foundations on which later writers built. Through his writing, Chaucer's wit, charm, and eloquence give us a deeper understanding of not only the time in which he lived, but of how human emotion, frailty, and fortitude are the base elements of human existence.Despite social upheaval and the changing fortunes of his patrons and peers, Chaucer remained a favored subject during three distinct and contrasting reigns. His experiences provided Chaucer an appreciation for his good (and bad) fortune - and that of others - made evident in his writing.

Chaucer's works are today widely studied and serve as models for current literature around the world. Chaucer holds a place of esteem as the earliest and one of the foremost writers in the English language.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2005 Michael Drout (P)2005 Recorded Books

I Own All of Prof. Drout's Audible Lectures!!!!!!

Prof. Drout is someone I listen to, regardless of the topic because his scholarship is so entire and his lectures so engaging and enthusiastic that they're just really fun listens. And if I learn something along the way about literature or medieval history, or Viking and Norsemen - then fun bonus for me!

He has a hip, natural lecture style that feels a bit like you're hanging out with the smartest friend you have and they're on a tear to talk about a topic they love. I've listened to most of his lectures more than once, my favorites being the ones on Tolkien, Science Fiction Literature, Anglo Saxons, medieval lit and Norse.

I just noticed he has some lectures on YouTube and I may have to sail on over there to get my fix of Drout scholarship. Can't seem to get enough!

Drout does it again!

If you could sum up The Modern Scholar in three words, what would they be?

This is the third of Professor Drout's lecture series I've listened to and I'm impressed once again. He gets to the heart of the matter and speaks clearly without "dumbing down" the subject.

Worth your time

Although I can't say I agree with all of Drout's ideas, I did really enjoy this.I needed to review Chaucer, and this course was very helpful for that purpose.

Drout wins again

I'm already learning Anglo-Saxon after listening to Drout's lectures on the subject of the same name; now I can add Middle English to my learning que.

Made me want to read Chaucer!

Would you consider the audio edition of Bard of the Middle Ages - The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer to be better than the print version?

This was a great overview of the author Chaucer, his life, times and works. I didn't know anything about him when I bought this. I wanted to read the Canterbury Tales. I wasn't sure if it was approachable for a layman to read. Professor Drout made his works accessible and interesting!

MASTER OF AMBIGUITY

Geoffrey Chaucer is a master of ambiguity. Michael Drout, in the Modern Scholar series, offers an informative and laudatory appreciation of Chaucer as the Bard of the Middle Ages. Drout notes that Chaucer’s view of life is best revealed in The Canterbury Tales.

Drout offers high praise for Chaucer, suggesting The Canterbury Tales seeds centuries of fictional narratives; in part because of Chaucer’s prescient understanding of human nature but also because of life’s ambiguous truths. Drout considers Chaucer equal to William Shakespeare, the greatest poet and playwright of all time.

Though Drout does not suggest Chaucer endorses cultural’ transgressions, it appears Chaucer is ambiguous about his character’s opinions. Drout suggests Chaucer may have been repentant in The Parson’s Tale (the last of The Canterbury Tales that endorses religion of Chaucer’s era) because he is nearing the end of his life. In any case, it is clear that Chaucer is ahead of his time; earned his place in West Minster Abbey (the first poet to be buried there), and deserves his reputation as the Father of English Literature.

Drout gives his audience an excellent summary of Chaucer’s contribution to literature in these lectures; however, Chaucer is best represented by his own writing. Every listener/reader reaches their own opinion after experiencing Chaucer’s work; that is what makes The Canterbury Tales a classic.

The Past Conquers All

It is really interesting to learn about the background of stuff you learn in college. I read Canterbury Tales more than 50 years ago & didn’t know anything about the background of the author. This was a fantastic education. It gets a little weedy now & then but overall it was a great learning experience.
As a result, I plan to listen to more of this series over time.

I learned more about history than language.

Professor Drout is as entertaining in this course as ever, though I had wished to catch up on my middle english. However, the course was not about middle English, I am nonetheless happy about purchase.

Highly recommended

I enjoyed this review of Chaucer's works. The series reviewed
The Book of the Duchess, the House of Fame, the Legend of Good Women and Troilus and Criseyde, and, of course, The Canterbury Tales. Dr. Drout also reviews Chaucer's translation of The Consolation of Philosophy and The Romance of the Rose. It's too bad The Book of the Lion didn't survive. This series enlightened me about how revolutionary the Canterbury Tales were. The use of a frame narrative allowed Chaucer to cloak his opinions and it allowed Chaucer the freedom to get inside the minds of the many different personalities of his time period in the 14th Century. The lecture sheds light on the historical events influencing Chaucer's writing, such as his involvement and survival of a lineage of royalty and the fact that his writings were read at court. Dr. Drout is also an expert in Middle English which further sheds light on understanding Chaucer. Dr. Drout's inclusion of the different literary theories including the feminist movement was informative. If you think literature starts with Shakespeare, this is a must listen.

Exceptional

This was an engrossing set of lectures by an enthusiastic, knowledgeable educator. Highly recommended.