John Gower, born around 1325 and passing in 1408, was a significant figure in English poetry, contributing alongside Geoffrey Chaucer to the development of Middle English literature. While Chaucer's influence was profound, Gower's works, including Speculum Meditantis, Vox Clamantis, and Confessio Amantis, stand as notable achievements in French, Latin, and English respectively.
Gower's style was deeply rooted in allegory, a technique that synthesized classical and Biblical traditions to explore societal and spiritual themes, reflecting on issues within the church, state, and common life.
Life
Details about Gower's early life are scant. He likely hailed from an affluent family in Kent and possibly practiced law in London, evident from his familiarity with urban life portrayed in his poetry.
Gower's association with royalty, particularly Richard II, is well-documented. Richard's commissioning of Confessio Amantis following a chance encounter on the Thames reflects Gower's close ties to the nobility, later shifting his allegiance to Henry IV.
His friendship with Chaucer is notable; they exchanged compliments in their works, showcasing mutual respect and admiration.
In his later years, Gower resided in Southwark Cathedral, where he eventually married Agnes Groundolf. By 1400, he had become blind, passing away in 1408 and laid to rest in the Priory church.
Works
Gower's poetry encompasses religious, political, historical, and moral themes, often characterized as didactic. His major works include:
- Speculum Meditantis: A seminal work in French, exploring religious and moral themes.
- Vox Clamantis: Written in Latin, commenting on English society and the Peasants' Revolt.
- Confessio Amantis: Written in Middle English, framed as a lover's confession, exploring morality through allegorical tales.
Later in his career, Gower wrote minor works and addressed poems to King Henry IV, receiving a pension in return.
Initially esteemed alongside Chaucer as a pioneer of English poetry, Gower's reputation waned over time due to perceived didacticism. Modern scholars, however, have revisited his works, appreciating their linguistic skill and moral depth.
Confessio Amantis
Confessio Amantis, a 33,000-line masterpiece, is structured around a lover's confession to Venus' chaplain. This frame story includes numerous narrative poems, echoing Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in its storytelling complexity.
The poem, commissioned by Richard II, reflects Gower's skill in weaving moral instruction into tales of human frailty and redemption.
Style and Language
Gower's use of octosyllabic lines in couplets, unlike Chaucer's iambic pentameter experiments, demonstrates his preference for a simpler, more direct style. His vocabulary, enriched with French and Latin loanwords, aimed at an educated audience.
Structure and Argument
Confessio Amantis is divided into a prologue and eight books, blending external commentary on society with a narrative frame involving the lover's confession. Each book explores a sin against love, integrating tales that range from mythological to historical.
Reception
Despite its popularity in the 14th century, Gower's works fell into obscurity compared to Chaucer's enduring fame. Modern critics have varied in their assessments, with some praising Gower's technical skill while others criticize his didactic approach.
Overall, John Gower remains a significant figure in the history of English literature, contributing to the development of Middle English poetry and allegorical storytelling.