Chaucer’s Italy

Richard Owen's Chaucer’s Italy explores the profound Italian influences on Geoffrey Chaucer, revealing his international experiences that shaped his literary legacy.

In Chaucer’s Italy, Richard Owen challenges the common perception of Geoffrey Chaucer as a parochial figure, revealing the poet's significant international experiences. The book highlights how Chaucer's time in Italy profoundly influenced his work, showcasing the connections he forged with key Italian literary figures such as Francesco Petrarch and Giovanni Boccaccio. These relationships were crucial in shaping Chaucer's narrative style and thematic choices, establishing him as a cornerstone of English literature.

Owen begins his exploration in London, detailing Chaucer's interactions with Italian merchants in his roles as a court diplomat and customs official. He then traces Chaucer's journey through various pivotal moments, including his capture at the siege of Rheims and his diplomatic missions to Milan and Genoa. Through these experiences, Owen paints a vivid picture of the Italian landscape that Chaucer encountered, emphasizing the rich cultural exchange that took place during this period.

By scrutinizing Chaucer's encounters with notable figures and the vibrant cities of Italy, Chaucer’s Italy reveals how these experiences informed the poet's works. Owen's study underscores the importance of Italy in Chaucer's life, illustrating that the poet's international adventures were instrumental in shaping the English literary canon as we know it today.