The Parliament of Fowls by Geoffrey Chaucer: Summary, Background, and Characters
Introduction
The Parliament of Fowls stands as one of Geoffrey Chaucer’s finest dream vision poems. Written in the late 14th century, it combines philosophy, satire, and courtly love. The poem takes readers on a symbolic journey through a dream world where birds gather to choose their mates. Chaucer blends humour, allegory, and classical references to reflect on love, choice, and free will. The poem holds both literary and historical significance in the development of English poetry.
Background of The Parliament of Fowls
Geoffrey Chaucer composed The Parliament of Fowls around 1382. Scholars believe that he wrote it to celebrate the marriage of King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia. This courtly context explains the poem’s focus on love and the ceremonial tone of the gathering. Chaucer uses the framework of a dream vision—a common medieval literary device—to explore the ideas of love, reason, and desire.
The poem draws inspiration from classical sources, especially Cicero’s Somnium Scipionis (The Dream of Scipio), and mixes it with medieval traditions of allegory and symbolism. It marks one of Chaucer’s earlier experiments with the dream vision genre, which he later perfected in other works like The Book of the Duchess and The House of Fame.
Chaucer demonstrates his growing skill in creating rich, imaginative settings. The Garden of Nature, where the birds gather, mirrors the earthly paradise of medieval imagination. This setting allows Chaucer to explore complex human emotions through the simpler, symbolic lives of birds.
Main Characters
Although the poem uses birds as its characters, each type of bird represents human social classes and personalities. The characters do not bear specific names, but their roles are clear:
- The Dreamer (Narrator) – He serves as a reflective observer and guides readers through the dream. His voice introduces philosophical ideas about love and reason.
- Nature – A goddess-like figure who presides over the assembly. She represents the natural order and oversees the mating of the birds.
- The Three Tercel Eagles – These noble birds all desire the same female eagle. They symbolize courtly lovers and their debate highlights different views on love.
- The Female Eagle (Formel) – She must choose among the three suitors. Her hesitation and thoughtful responses reflect themes of free will and wise judgment.
- The Lesser Birds – They represent various human classes and opinions. Their humorous arguments and squabbling offer satire on social behaviour and romantic ideals.
Summary of The Parliament of Fowls
before gong into the detail of The Parliament of Fowls summary, we must know the fact that the poem begins on a philosophical note. The narrator reads Cicero’s The Dream of Scipio, which leads him to ponder the nature of love and fate. After falling asleep, he enters a vivid dream where a guide named Scipio takes him through a gate bearing two inscriptions—one about love’s joy, the other about its pain. This sets the tone for the exploration of love’s dual nature.
Scipio leads the narrator to a beautiful garden—the Garden of Nature. In this paradise, all types of birds gather on Saint Valentine’s Day to choose their mates. Nature, the goddess who rules this place, appears and calls the birds to order. The poem now shifts to a lively debate among the birds.
At the center of the gathering stands a noble female eagle, or formel. Three tercel eagles step forward and claim her love. Each offers poetic reasons and praises to win her heart. One boasts of long service, another of passion, and the third of noble birth. Nature allows them to speak one by one, and then calls for a decision.
However, the female eagle does not rush. She respectfully declines to choose immediately and asks for more time to think. Nature agrees and grants her a delay of one year. This moment highlights the importance of personal choice and thoughtful decision-making in matters of love.
Meanwhile, the other birds grow impatient. They begin to argue and joke, breaking the serious tone of the noble eagles’ speeches. Their noisy quarrels introduce humour and satire. Some birds make selfish comments, others mimic human flaws such as pride, impatience, or foolishness.
As the birds finally pair off, the narrator wakes up. The dream ends with him reflecting on the balance between reason and emotion, and the complexity of love. The poem closes on a note of contemplation rather than resolution.
Existentialism as a Modern Literary Movement:
https://englishlitnotes.com/2025/04/27/existentialism-as-a-modern-literary-movement/
Notes on English for All Classes: https://englishwithnaeemullahbutt.com/