A soldier, a civil servant, a diplomat - Geoffrey Chaucer has been busy all his life on many more fronts besides being a pioneer of the world of literature. Chaucer was the first poet to use many meters and stanza forms, and to blend the French and Italian styles of writings with English. He, for the first time in history of English literature, brought into words the contemporary English world. Canterbury Tales is set on the road between London and Canterbury. He dealt with realism and humanism extensively and produced some masterpieces like Troilus and Criseyde, Romance of the Rose and Canterbury Tales.
             Chaucer is admired the most for alleviating the English consciousness from the streets into the volumes of classics. He drew his characters with such a fine pointed brush, filled them with such realistic energy and life, revealing their inner selves, that the reader could immediately identify themselves with them.
             On finishing his education, John Chaucer did not force young Geoffrey to join his wine business. Instead, he worked for Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess of Ulster and daughter-in-law of the King of England, around 1357. He also participated in the war against France in 1359. He was captured by the French army but was released against ransom of 16 ponds. Back home, he underwent his first diplomatic mission as a letter-bearer.
             Geoffrey Chaucer was very frequently employed on diplomatic missions. During his early life, he used to follow the French trends in writing, but he was greatly influenced by Italian authors, mainly Boccaccio. He was greatly impressed by Dante and Divine Comedy though he never tried to imitate his style. Chaucer's first impression of France was a satisfactory one as he admired the French inns for their quick service and clean pillowcases. His visit to Florence introduced him to a totally new style of literature, which is considered to have influenced his writing to quite an extent.
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