Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Vol. III

Geoffrey Chaucer significantly shaped English literature, celebrated for elevating the vernacular to a literary form during the 14th century. His works, particularly the unfinished narrative poem The Canterbury Tales, resonated with both nobility and the emerging literate merchant class, establishing a new standard for storytelling. Chaucer's influence persisted into the 16th and 17th centuries, as his writings set benchmarks for literary presentation, inspiring countless authors and shaping the evolution of English literature.