Geoffrey Chaucer - Truth ( Ballade)
Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Truth', also known as 'Balade de Bon Conseyl', is a poem that provides moral guidance to its readers. Written in the form of a ballade, a popular French verse form during the 14th and 15th centuries, the poem emphasizes the importance of living a life grounded in truth and honesty. Chaucer advises against the pursuit of material wealth and the instability it brings, suggesting that true contentment comes from accepting one's circumstances and living with integrity. The poem reflects Chaucer's philosophical beliefs and his role in shaping English literature by using Middle English at a time when French and Latin were dominant. Through 'Truth', Chaucer not only offers ethical counsel but also showcases his mastery of poetic form and language, making it a significant work in his oeuvre.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballade | a type of poem with a specific structure | a type of poem with a specific structure | bal-lahd |
| sothfastnesse | truthfulness | truth | sooth-fast-ness |
| suffyce | be enough | enough | suh-fice |
| hord | hoard | a stockpile or store of something | hord |
| tikilnesse | instability | unstable | tik-uhl-ness |
| prees | crowd | a large group of people gathered together | prees |
| dwelle | live | to reside or stay | dwel |
| climbing | ascending | moving upwards or rising | klai-ming |
| hate | dislike | strong dislike | hayt |
| flee | run away | run away | flee |
Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet known as the 'father of English literature'. He is best known for The Canterbury Tales and played a crucial role in legitimizing the use of Middle English in literature. He was also a civil servant and diplomat.
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