Humanities CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Who is considered the father of English literature?

1. Geoffrey Chaucer

2. William Shakespeare

3. Oscar Wilde

4. Homer

The correct answer is: Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer is considered the father of English literature due to his significant contributions to the development of the English language. Chaucer's most famous work, "The Canterbury Tales", was written in Middle English and helped to standardize the language in his time. Shakespeare, while widely known as a great English playwright and poet, did not have the same impact on the development of the English language as Chaucer. Oscar Wilde and Homer are both famous authors in their own right, but they are not considered the father of English literature. Wilde was a prominent figure in the late 19th century and Homer was an ancient Greek poet. Therefore, the correct answer is A.