What has been the contribution of the twentieth century to Chaucer criticism? (MEG 101 CHAUCER)

The twentieth century witnessed a significant growth in Chaucer criticism, with a focus on various aspects of his work, including his language, style, genre, sources, and historical context. Some of the key contributions of twentieth-century Chaucer criticism are:

Historical and social context: 

Critics explored the social, historical, and cultural context of Chaucer's work, seeking to understand his depiction of medieval life and society. They looked at the political and economic structures of Chaucer's time, as well as the cultural and religious norms of the period.

Language and style: 

Chaucer's language and style became a subject of intense scrutiny in the twentieth century. Critics analysed his use of meter, rhyme, and syntax, and explored the ways in which he borrowed from other literary traditions. They also studied his use of rhetorical devices such as irony, metaphor, and allegory.

Feminist criticism: 

Feminist critics of Chaucer questioned the patriarchal assumptions underlying his work and examined his portrayal of women. They challenged the traditional view of Chaucer as a misogynist and argued that he subverted gender norms in some of his tales.

Postcolonial criticism: 

Postcolonial critics explored the ways in which Chaucer's work reflected the colonial and imperialist ideologies of his time. They analysed his representation of non-European cultures and questioned the Eurocentric assumptions underlying his work.

New historicism: 

New historicist critics studied Chaucer's work in the context of the historical and cultural forces that shaped it. They examined the ways in which Chaucer's work reflected the social, economic, and political conditions of his time.

Queer theory: 

Queer theorists examined the ways in which Chaucer's work reflected non-normative sexualities and questioned the heteronormative assumptions underlying his work.

Overall, the twentieth century saw a diversification and expansion of Chaucer criticism, with scholars drawing on a range of theoretical and interdisciplinary approaches to explore his work from new perspectives.