What is the poetic form of The Book of the Duchess?
The poem uses an eight-syllable, end-rhymed couplet form. This form arguably lends itself well to Chaucer’s tone and subject–consider why rhymes are satisfying and why short lines seem appropriate. Also, the dream-poem genre was common at the time, offering a recognizable platform for introducing a variety of ideas in the form of allegory, just like many dreams. • What were Chaucer’s literary influences? Answer: Chaucer draws on biblical and classical works (philosophy as well as drama and epic) for many allusions and themes. For elements of Stoicism, he draws on Boethius and ancient Stoics who prioritized philosophy over worldly cares. He also draws on Dante, especially Dante’s Inferno, and on Boccaccio. He drew on courtly love poetry from French medieval sources, and he made use of common literary genres and themes in his dream-poems. • What do the different buildings in The House of Fame represent? Answer: In the first house, the dreamer reads the story of the Aeneid, one of the mo
