The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales

Poetry | Geoffrey Chaucer

What do you know about the Clerk of Oxford?

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What do you know about the Clerk of Oxford Geoffrey Chaucer - presents the Clerk of Oxford in The General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales as a man of learning and honesty He lives in Oxford It is a place of study and wisdom His poor life shines with purity faith and knowledge A Poor but Honest Scholar The Clerk of Oxford is a student of logic and philosophy He is very poor but never sad His horse is as thin as a rake He spends his money not on food or clothes but on books Chaucer writes Hadde he but litel gold in cofre He had but little gold in his strongbox He wears a simple coat and lives quietly His poverty shows his love for learning He is honest gentle and full of wisdom A Lover of Learning and Books The Clerk loves reading more than wealth His

books are his treasure He would rather have knowledge than gold He is always busy studying He does not waste time in idle talk He believes that true happiness comes from truth and wisdom His learning gives him peace and pride A Man of Few Words and Deep Faith The Clerk is quiet but speaks with meaning His words are short but full of thought He loves to learn and loves to teach Chaucer says And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche And gladly would he learn and gladly teach His learning is his prayer He is not proud or worldly He serves God through his wisdom and gentle life Chaucer admires his pure mind and humble heart The Clerk of Oxford is a true picture of the wise poor man His love for books and truth makes him noble In a world of greed he shines as a symbol of learning and purity

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Geoffrey Chaucer
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from The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales