Which genre of literature did Geoffrey Chaucer significantly influence?

Geoffrey Chaucer significantly influenced epic poetry through his notable work, "The Canterbury Tales," which is often regarded as one of the first major works of English literature. Chaucer's approach to storytelling, combining a variety of characters and narratives within a larger framework, revealed a new way of engaging with epic themes, and he effectively melded high and low styles. His use of the English vernacular made his poetry accessible to a broader audience, allowing the genre to evolve by emphasizing character and setting, which are foundational elements in epic storytelling. This paved the way for future poets who sought to express complex human experiences through grand narratives. While Chaucer's influence extends to other forms of literature, his contributions to epic poetry are particularly noteworthy, as they helped establish the genre in Middle English and greatly shaped its development in the literary canon.