IGNOU MEG-01 Block 1 Summary (Unit 1–7) | Orientation for the Study of Poetry & Chaucer

IGNOU MEG-01 Block 1 Summary (Unit 1–7) | Orientation for the Study of Poetry & Chaucer

If you are preparing for IGNOU MEG-01 (British Poetry), this page provides a complete, exam-oriented summary of Block 1 – Orientation for the Study of Poetry & The Medieval Poet Chaucer.

Here, you will find easy-to-understand summaries of all seven units, designed especially for IGNOU MA English students who want clear concepts, quick revision, and better exam performance.

IGNOU MEG-01 Block 1 Summary (Unit 1–7) | Orientation for the Study of Poetry & Chaucer

📘 About MEG-01 Block 1 (IGNOU)

Block 1 introduces students to:

The systematic study of poetry
Essential critical tools for poetic analysis
The historical and literary importance of Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English poetry

This block builds the foundation for understanding poetry academically, which is crucial for scoring well in IGNOU Term-End Examinations (TEE).

MEG-01 BRITISH POETRY Solved Assignment 2025-2026

📞 WhatsApp Now: 8130208920

📌 Unit 1: From the Evaluation of Portraits towards the Explication of Poems

This unit introduces how to read and interpret poetry by comparing poems to painted portraits. Just as a portrait requires careful observation, a poem demands:

Close reading
Attention to imagery, diction, tone, rhythm, and structure
Awareness of the poet’s intention and background

Students learn that poetry is not meant to be read passively. Instead, it should be analysed layer by layer to uncover deeper meanings. This unit establishes the critical approach needed for literary studies.

📌 Unit 2: A Prelude to the Study of Poetry

This unit explains what makes poetry unique as a literary form. It highlights:

Differences between poetry, prose, and drama
The importance of sound, rhythm, metre, and form
Poetry’s ability to express emotion, imagination, and insight concisely

Key poetic forms and devices introduced include:

Lyric, narrative, and dramatic poetry
Simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration

This unit prepares students for formal poetry analysis in later blocks.

MEG-01 BRITISH POETRY Solved Assignment 2025-2026

📞 WhatsApp Now: 8130208920

📌 Unit 3: The Age of Chaucer

This unit explores the historical, social, and cultural background of 14th-century England, the period of Geoffrey Chaucer.

Important historical events discussed:

The Hundred Years’ War
The Black Death
The Peasants’ Revolt
The declining authority of the Church

The age marked a transition from medieval to modern values. Chaucer’s poetry reflects this shift by combining religious tradition with realism, humanism, and social criticism.

📌 Unit 4: Chaucer’s Poetry – A General Survey

This unit provides an overview of Chaucer’s literary contribution and his role in shaping English poetry.

Key points include:

Use of Middle English as a literary language
Introduction of iambic pentameter and rhymed couplets
Realistic portrayal of characters from all social classes

Major works discussed:

The Book of the Duchess
Troilus and Criseyde
The Canterbury Tales (his masterpiece)

The unit shows how Chaucer’s humour, irony, and narrative skill laid the foundation of English literature.

MEG-01 BRITISH POETRY Solved Assignment 2025-2026

📞 WhatsApp Now: 8130208920

📌 Unit 5: The General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales

This unit focuses on The General Prologue, which introduces the pilgrimage framework and a wide range of medieval characters.

Key features:

Vivid character sketches such as the Knight, Prioress, Monk, Merchant, Wife of Bath
Subtle irony and social satire
Critique of medieval society’s values and hypocrisies

Students learn how Chaucer blends individual personality with social commentary, making the Prologue a landmark text in English literature.

📌 Unit 6: A Study of ‘The Nun’s Priest’s Tale’ – I

This unit begins the detailed study of “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”, a beast fable featuring Chanticleer and Pertelote.

Important aspects: