Chaucer is called the social historian of his age? Do you agree?

Chaucer is considered to be the first great English poet. By any account, he was the first poet to create works of international literary significance in English (with apologies to the composer of Beowulf, whoever he might have been). The fact that his works, particularly the prologue to The Canterbury Tales, are still studied in high schools today attests to their staying power.

To call a poet/writer a “social historian” implies that their work communicates important ideas about the social fabric of his/her time—the people, their aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, living conditions, relationships, and accomplishments. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales certainly fits that description. His characters range from the stoic, admirable Knight to the grimy, evil Pardoner and Summoner. 

As Chaucer describes his characters, he uncovers some of the faults of his age: the church has become corrupt and greed-driven; the doctor engages in a kickback scheme with an apothecary; the merchant, out of vanity, hides his true financial status behind lies and fancy clothes; and the Wife of Bath boldly proclaims her cold, calculating strategies to control men, which include deception and sexual manipulation.

Just like today, and any age of history for that matter, people are fallible and weak. But Chaucer is not completely pessimistic. He recognizes the existence of good in a few people, as evidenced by his description of one character in particular: the Parson. Here are the initial lines from Chaucer's description of the Parson:

Middle English                                  

A good man was ther of religioun,      

And was a povre Persoun of a toun,    

But riche he was of holy thoght and werk.

That Cristes gospel trewely wolde he preche; 

His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche. 

Modern English

There was a good man of religion,

who was a poor Parson of a town;

But he was rich in holy thoughts and works,

He preached Christ's gospel,

And devoutly taught his parishioners.

While Chaucer has ruthlessly criticized the church (which is pretty significant, given the church's influence at that time) through characters like the Monk, Friar, Pardoner, and Summoner, the Parson redeems them all with his selfless devotion to God and his flock.

Chaucer's work describes England through his depiction of a number of characters and the tales they tell. It is the most complete literary representation we have of English society from that era.