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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][b]Why Shakespeare? Why not Chaucer?  [/b]
I’m also wondering how many of the vigorous supporters of reading Shakespeare have read any of his works beyond some academic requirement, or have even gone to plays.  Is this an ongoing interest with ongoing support? Any Folger fans? [/quote]

I do teach Chaucer in my AP Lit class, actually.  We do The Canterbury Tales (and Boccaccio's Decameron).  I adore Chaucer.  I know many other English teachers who cover Chaucer, so I'm not sure why you think Chaucer is not taught.

But OK.

You can't really compare the two, PP.  They're too different in language, structure, content, volume, and theme.

Perhaps you attended a low-performing school where the curriculum was cut to the bone, and you didn't study Chaucer.  Here's why more students are exposed to Shakespeare than Chaucer in such an environment:

1.  Shakespeare's themes are more universal and relevant in the contemporary world.  And Chaucer simply didn't produce as much material.

2.  Chaucer is written in Middle English, which is more challenging for students.  I'm a purist and the translations irritate me because they are simply less vivid and engaging.  Shakespeare's early Modern English is more accessible and familiar to students.

FYI, neither Chaucer nor Shakespeare wrote in Old English.

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