Essay Questions

Hoes does Geoffrey Chaucer depict the sense of sight to readers?

When Chaucer wakes up from his dream, he finds himself inside a magnificent temple beautifully decorated with exclusive works of art. The temple is made of glass, and the walls are adorned with artwork, making it outstanding and admirable. Additionally, Chaucer tells readers that the temple has beautiful things like brass that represent Aeneid. Consequently, the narrator’s description of the temple creates visual images for readers to see how the temple is outstanding.

What is the emblematic meaning of the golden eagle seen by the poet?

The author uses the golden eagle figuratively to represent fortune. The poet is dedicated and does everything diligently, hoping one day he will achieve his dreams. After walking out of the temple to try and figure out where he is, a golden eagle comes along and takes him to the skies. In the skies, the golden eagle hints that he is taking the poet to the house of fame. After the poet is taken to the house of fame by the golden eagle, he is awarded great authority. Therefore, the golden eagle signifies fortune and good news to the poet.

How does fame emerge as the primary theme in ‘The House of Fame’ by Geoffrey Chaucer?

Chaucer's main theme is fame, which is demonstrated by the poet's journey. As the title suggests, 'The House of Fame,' the poet is determined to realize the connotation of his dreams. The poet's dreams are actualized when the golden eagle appears and takes him to the house of fame, where he is awarded great authority over everything else. The most important thing is that the narrator's fame comes from trusting God because he says a prayer before doing anything.