Chaucer’s Creative Passage

 

 

 

Creative Writing is a term used to accentuate the imagination of the written form. Geoffrey Chaucer, a medieval author and scholar is a major partaker of such a literary form.  His expertise on the matter is one of great altitude and comprehension. He is essential in realizing the romantic form with his ideas of Sentence and Solace and his lyric is one of ancient English whose vitality has been able to provoke creative minds for more than six hundred years. Undoubtedly, the reason lies in the essence of the work that continues to draw attention to a wider audience and foremost becomes an influential and indicative entity to the creative writer as a whole. With the assistance of Lady Philosophy, The Parliament of Fowels and the Clerk’s Tale, I will pursue further understanding as to how and why Chaucerian thought is relevant to one who deems himself a creative writer and how this relevance can be therefore incorporated in the writers mind and spirit.

            Before we begin there is some bases we must cover. Such as Boethius discovered his salvation through the reason and song of lady Philosophy, so must we approach the matter in a logical sense. We must, like Philosophy come to a rational explanation for the questions in hand. How is Chaucer ultimately connected to the creative writing process and how is he relevant to the study itself? Why is it important for a creative writer to contribute his writing in the vein of Chaucer and under his teachings?

 Let us begin the examination by understanding what creative writing is. “Creative writing is a term used to distinguish certain imaginative or different types of writing from generic writing. The use of specificity of the term is partly intentional, designed to make the process of writing accessible to everyone (of all ages) and to ensure that non-traditional, or traditionally low-status writing (for example, writing by marginalized social groups, experimental writing, genre fiction) is not excluded from academic consideration or dismissed as trivial or insignificant. This distinction is helpful in separating the writing from more technical writing, professional writing or journalistic writing. However, the term 'professional' may be misleading because many novelists are professional writers in that they write for a living. Any novel provides an example of what creative writing is.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_writing)

            Literary forms that contribute to creative writing are: fiction, drama, poetry, screenwriting, autobiography and other works seem to interweave the medium. Since, in Creative Writing, your strongest asset is creativity, then you are not limited to any such category. They are all unified in one creative genre. You as a creative writer should dwell on several of these avenues to attain a greater reward than from just a few.  One way is to account for “ Creative Reading “, for it seems rational that if one can creatively write so forth should they be able to read in this regard just the same. In the Parliament of Fowels the narrator manifests a dream through his subconscious. This was attainable through the constant reading he had done. This issue is much ado to controversy in this day in age for the implied creativity is questioned in certain creative works. One must reason to understand, that creative reading helps your creativity writing. Chaucer took from Boethius philosophical thought but also it seems implied he did the same with Dante. In his Parliament of Fowels he writes:

Through me men go into that blissful place

Where hearts heal and deadly wounds are cured;

Through me men go unto the well of Grace,

There green and lusty May shall ever endure;

This is the way to all good adventure;

Be glad, thou reader, and thy sorrow cast off,

Sll open am I; pass in, and go thee fast!"

            —Geoffrey Chaucer- Parliament of Fowles

If one is familiar with Dante’s Inferno, it seems arguable that these heavenly gates he speaks of are reminiscent to the gates of hell. Though, this is not proven, it is a possible rationality that Chaucer would take inspiration or wonder from the great writer of The Divine Comedy. So if creative writing is sought, then we must take to the likes of creative writers and learn from their teachings. Yes… But why Chaucer? We will furthermore be guided by lady philosophy in our attempt to establish that reason.

            But lady Philosophy shuns the Muses of Poetry you ask? True she did. “At the sight of the muses of poetry at my bedside dictating words to accompany my tears, she became angry. “Who,” She demanded, her piercing eyes a light with fire, has allowed these hysterical sluts to approach this sick man’s bedside? They have no medicine to ease his pains, only sweetened poisons to make them worse. ( Watts, 4)”  So this is a crucial time to evaluate your endeavor. As a creative writer you may embrace these Muses a few times in your lifetime. You know now what Lady Philosophy feels to these spirits. But why would Boethius seek them out nonetheless? He writes:

                        I who once wrote songs with joyful zeal

                        Am driven by grief to enter weeping mode.

                        See the Muses, cheeks all torn, dictate,

                        And wet my face with elegiac verse.

                        No terror could discourage them at least.

                        From coming with me on my way.

                        They were the Glory of my happy youth

                        And still they comfort me in hapless age.

                                    —Boethius- Consolation of Philosophy

Boethius confined in the muses not in obtaining knowledge or reason. He confined in their presence to illustrate the assertion that through poetry he may obtain solace in his life. Lady Philosophy’s rage stems not only from a jealousy of the muses hold of Boethius’ attention but also because the creative soul of the muses does not work with the writer without the writer first taking its control. Hence the muses are a relevant indication of beauty and power that can only be manifested through the careful attention to detail through once self. These triggered emotions have but a reason. If Lady Philosophy were completely appalled by the muses, then she herself would not have sung. Her voice however, as beautiful as it was, retained one very important thing. Sentence. If Boethius had retained a certain level of reason, then Philosophy’s presence would not be needed; his dance with the muses would have still lasted to his final day. In essence, they did. It was through them and Lady Philosophy, that he was finally able to complete his consolation.

            Lady Philosophy and most importantly, Geoffrey Chaucer believed in one very important thing that gives Creative Writing a newfound respect in modern literature. What I speak of is Sentence and Solace.

According to Chaucer, great literature is to obtain the two prerequisites if it is to be considered a relevant piece of literature. It is commonly stated that Creativity is something that cannot be taught. If this is true, I argue something still lies that must be taught and understood to further the career of any writer. I speak of technique. And there lies no technique for creative writers more important than Sentence and Solace. We must hence, understand these matters more elaborately to understand how they pertain to a successful creative write. They must hence, co-exist with your passage to give it depth and the Chaucerian quality.

                         ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye,

In this viage shal telle tales tweye
.....

Of aventures that whilom han bifalle.

And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle—

That is to seyn, that telleth in this caas

Tales of best sentence and moost solace—

Shal have a soper at oure aller cost

Here in this place, sittynge by this post,

Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury

—Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales

When referring to the Canterbury Tales, one must take into account the vast meanings held within the text. It is an excellent literary work because it exemplifies the perfect balance of sentence and solace. It is entertaining, engaging and provocative in spirit. It is therefore a unity and an example of previous and future works that set the standard for narrative masterpieces. The Canterbury Tales, however, retain a timeless quality and a prime example of what literature should be -through the sentence and Solace of the piece. So what are Sentence and Solace and how is it crucial to Chaucerian understanding?

Sentence, simply refers to the point. Not so simply is elaborating this idea or concept underlying meaning with the Solace, the comfort. Sentence is the meaning we wish to achieve with our readers, it is the notion and idea we want them to learn. Solace is the decorative, illustrious beauty we see in our prose and poetry, it is the feeling we get by engaging in the entertainment of the story.

Chaucer argues that the two must unite in any balance you deem appropriate in order to make a true literary work. It is not trash talk or stories of fairies that make it valuable, it is context within the text that makes it special. As a creative writer one must endow on this valuable reason. That is perhaps why the Canterbury Tales are so essential to the world of literature. He indefinably set the standard for great work contributing knowledge beyond just decorative prose.

Life is so short, the craft is so long to learn,

The attempt is hard, so challenging is the conquering of it,

The fearful joy always that slips so quickly:

All this mean I by Love, that my consciousness

Astounded with his wonderful working
Is so sore,

that when I think on him
I know not whether I sink or swim.

            —Geoffrey Chaucer- Parliament of Fowles

            Amongst the notable techniques of Chaucer, one must make mends with interpretation. For Chaucer is a master of interpretation that leaves scholars today induced with curiosity and forbiddance. I say to forbid, for in the Middle Ages, people seeked answers from their readings. But Chaucer knew that meaning lies in the reader and not in the text. His wake from dream was often an interruption in his tales that left the reader daunted for what’s to come. This early notion of suspense was insightful and served a purpose. Many argue the true reason behind this and I respond with the notion that Chaucer’s framework is only the medium that bares the tools of your own understanding. Hence, Chaucer was a carpenter of thoughts fabricating stories with only the insight of those tools. As a creative writer,  it would be wise to account for your own tools in the telling of your stories. They need not have an end to fulfill a purpose. They do, however need to remain concise to the principals of Chaucer and his explanatory condition for an ideal literary work: Sentence and Solace.

            It doesn’t even matter whether your male or female that contributes to your creative talent. It is the harnessing of your “nature” that brings about your true voice: the emblem of your talent. In the Parliament of Fowles, the female eagle, after being conditioned to choose from the finest male eagles chooses freedom. In this way we must also choose the freedom to follow our dreams. Creative Writing examines that possibility with an open ended framework like that of Chaucerian legend.

 

Don’t swallow insults, offer them instead.

                        And all your slender little wives and frail,

                        Be fierce as Indian tigers, since designed

                        To rattle like a windmill in a gale.

—Geoffrey Chaucer, Envoy to the Clerk’s Tale

            In addition to technique, a student of Chaucer should pay careful attention to the detail involved in Chaucer’s text. Not only does he participate in the expose’ of dreamlike poetic dwellings but also constitutes a purpose to those dwellings. In the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer refers to the Clerk as the overseer of scholarly example. He facets the thought that through study certain wisdom is attained. Moreso though, he reminds us of the balance needed to satisfy a relevant story.

                        “Let it be a brisk adventure, stuff that nourishes

                        And not too much of your rhetorical flourishes.

                        Keep the “high style” until occasion brings

                        A use for it, like when they write to kings,

                        And for the present put things plainly, pray,

                        So we can follow all you have to say.”

—Geoffrey Chaucer, Clerk’s prologue

Though it is a fictional character that brings this text to life, under further investigation, one can interpret that Chaucer was speaking directly to the Clerks of our day by revealing the confinements of a good and well endowed narrative. Notice, how he intervenes the prestige of high order yet is aware of the necessity of an attainable read. He reminds us of the virtue of not over flourishing with decorative words and to only use them where deemed necessary. He also declares the fact that simplicity is many at times, a more magnificent method of conveying thoughts.

            Like the heart of Creative Writers, The Clerk’s Tale seems to amplify the spirit of the student. Yet it retains unparralled wisdom in Griselda’s actions of humility. And though the message may seem unclear, the readers respond by contemplating our own humility. If in our own creative passions, we embraced Creative Writing like Griselda embraces her love for Walters it seems according to Chaucer that our love in itself will be complete and a love as old as Griselda’s is one set in its ways, hence free from agitation. If we choose to live the path of a creative writer then we too must commit despite the pain and disillusion we may fall upon. This is the ultimate test is it not? Just how much can we endure? And how would we know when to give up.

            Let us look through Lady Philosophy once again for an answer. Did Boethius write for fame? On the contrary, he had a basic understanding that fame derived from evil. He himself lived a life of fame, yet through Fortune was endowed with pain. Even in his grievest part, he continues to write in the presence of Philosophy: “If fame is what you seek, you will find yourself on a hard road, drawn this way and that until you are worn with care. Decide to live a life of pleasure, and there will be no one who will not reject you with scorn of that slave of that most worthless and brittle master, the human body.”  It is therefore concluded that fame is lacking relevance in the grand scheme of things and if fame is what you seek as a creative writer, then you are surely doomed to fail. Because you have lost all Sentence and Philosophies wisdom… You more so would become victim to the muses that spare no mercy in the name of your fame. If Chaucer is to teach us anything it is that writing serves a purpose to elevate humanities awareness. Without this intent, your immortality will eventually parish.

                        And then the man whose story is best told,

                        That is to say who gives the fullest measure

                        Of good morality and general pleasure,

                        He shall be given a supper paid by all,

                        Here in this Caveran, this very hall.

—Geoffrey Chaucer, General Prologue to Canterbury Tales

So if the spirit of creative writing were an obvious contribution of Chaucer, would one still be endowed to question his importance on the subject matter? If the answer is yes, then allow me to introduce a very valuable argument. Chaucer as a lyricist, wrote in accentual-syllabic metre, a style developed in the later 12^th century. Chaucer in particular was known for his metrical innovation. He invented the rhyme royal- a stanza consisting of 5-7 lines, usually in iambic pentameter. An example of this found early on was in The Legend of Good Women. Eventually this form extended its way to greater works influencing writers beyond. The rhyme royal allowed for more control in an extensive narrative poem. In these confinements was Chaucer able to control the rythym and overall charm of the piece as it constituted literary genius.

            Chaucer’s poetry helped standardize the London Dialect that had been obtained through Kentish and Midlands contribution. Though this Middle English is far from our Modern English, it is much easier to read than say Beowulf, for instance, of the early Anglo-Saxon language. There are some words that are not deemed recognizable enough to hold truth to the readers understanding. But by taking into consideration the fact that modern English prefers to simplify sound that was too redundant, one may easily undertake such poetry. Take for instance the –e sound whose presence was sustained sometime after Chaucer’s death. This effect is known as the Great Vowel Shift and its relevance plays a crucial role in the development of the English language. Note the example below and see how it translates into modern English.

                        Twenty thousand freres on a route,

Twenty thousand friars on a route,

And thurghout helle swarmed al aboute,

And they swarmed all over hell,

And comen agayn as faste as they may gon,

And came again as fast as they had gone,

            The stanza from the Summoner’s Tale shown above shows the evolvement of our own English and how it has differed in the last six hundred years. One can reconcile that through literature, often language itself is manipulated. And though, the text above can be seen as notably different. Chaucer’s influence on the language, moreso in Literature, still carries much truth and virtue.

            Chaucer’s creative passage through writing undoubtedly becomes a great adventure line after line. It entails great literary structure and organization. It has the poetic verse and imaginative excellence in prose and is foremost literature of great merit and retention to the value of the human spirit. Chaucerian theology of Sentence and Solace can be seen through out the romantic genre. And he has had substantial influence in English language itself.           

            In conclusion I invite the Creative Writer on a Tale for the masses; to retell the brilliance of Chaucer in your work and become a part of legend. And just as Chaucer was the first to be rested in the Poet’s Corner, so too must you strive for the same. Forget not the importance of sentence and solace and I encourage further participation on his reading. Learn not just from he, but also his contemporaries. His influences also bring great knowledge to mind. Not just the Consolation of Philosophy, but also Metamorphoses and the Aenid, amongst others showed reasonable evidence of Chaucerian perspective.

            Chaucer, the poet is an example of what every creative writer should strive for. And an argument against that seems all to insubstantial… for any scholar would know that reaching for such altitudes can only reward you with great excellence. And just as Chaucer leaves works un open, not truly revealed… I will close by allowing you to choose your own path Creative Writer, but beware, for if you do choose to walk this dark and dreary road, you may find solace having Chaucer by your side.

 

 

Luis C. Rodriguez