Donaldson, E. Talbot. Speaking of Chaucer. North Carolina: The Labyrinth Press, 1983.
Speaking of Chaucer is a collection of papers from E. Talbot Donaldson on many different topics that plague Chaucer scholars and readers, most of which are well-known amongst the discipline. Many of the articles are direct answers to and critiques of common ways of reading Chaucer, such as "The Effect of the Merchant's Tale," in which Donaldson addresses the question of whether or not "The Merchant's Tale" is too dark to be funny. This book contains several excellent articles on the women in Chaucer's works. Donaldson seems to be particularly interested in the character of Criseide, and his writings on her are a must read for anyone interested in further study of Criseide, Chaucerian love, and the portrayal of women in his tales.
Several of the articles included deal with the sources for and editing of The Canterbury Tales, and I must admit they were a little difficult to follow.
This book can be found at the Main Stacks on the third floor of Seymour Library.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Medieval and Early Renaissance Medicine
Siraisi, Nancy. Medieval and Early Renaissance Medicine. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.
Medieval and Early Renaissance Medicine provides a historical overview of Western European medical practice, theory, and social reception. Due to the breadth of subject matter, encompassing several aspects of medicine in a wide spatial and temporal frame, Siraisi's book is best suited as a topical introduction. She begins by outlining the foundations of medieval and renaissance medicine, stressing its Greek intellectual roots. Medieval and renaissance medical practitioners are analyzed generally according to social standing, wealth, experience and practice without marginalizing exceptions. Time is devoted to a smaller number of female physicians and surgeons, Jewish practitioners and saintly miracle healers. University medical education is discussed in terms of its curricula, interdisciplinarity, practical application and social reception. The study includes an introduction to anatomical methodology from its Hellenistic roots to the sixteenth-century new anatomy dependent on human dissection. The book explores the definitions of health and disease, typical treatments (diet, medication and surgery) and complexion theory. While other historical interpretations are limited to either medieval or renaissance medicine, an editorial choice that enforces periodization, Siraisi widens her scope to include some of both. One strength of her study is its inclusiveness despite necessary generalities. It would be most useful to those interested in medieval and renaissance body rhetoric, the medical profession, its founding principles or early anatomy/surgery.
This book is available on the open reserves shelf at the library.
Medieval and Early Renaissance Medicine provides a historical overview of Western European medical practice, theory, and social reception. Due to the breadth of subject matter, encompassing several aspects of medicine in a wide spatial and temporal frame, Siraisi's book is best suited as a topical introduction. She begins by outlining the foundations of medieval and renaissance medicine, stressing its Greek intellectual roots. Medieval and renaissance medical practitioners are analyzed generally according to social standing, wealth, experience and practice without marginalizing exceptions. Time is devoted to a smaller number of female physicians and surgeons, Jewish practitioners and saintly miracle healers. University medical education is discussed in terms of its curricula, interdisciplinarity, practical application and social reception. The study includes an introduction to anatomical methodology from its Hellenistic roots to the sixteenth-century new anatomy dependent on human dissection. The book explores the definitions of health and disease, typical treatments (diet, medication and surgery) and complexion theory. While other historical interpretations are limited to either medieval or renaissance medicine, an editorial choice that enforces periodization, Siraisi widens her scope to include some of both. One strength of her study is its inclusiveness despite necessary generalities. It would be most useful to those interested in medieval and renaissance body rhetoric, the medical profession, its founding principles or early anatomy/surgery.
This book is available on the open reserves shelf at the library.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Kimpel, Ben. “The Narrator of the Canterbury Tales.”
Kimpel, Ben. “The Narrator of the Canterbury Tales.” ELH: A Journal of English Literary History 20.2(1953):77-86.
Kimpel examines the personality and role of the narrator of the Canterbury Tales as well as whether he should be viewed as Chaucer inserting himself into the story. Kimpel argues that the role that the narrator plays within the prologue is one of necessity and that we can glean little information about his personality from his remarks. He goes on to argue that very little evidence of the narrator’s personality exists throughout the rest of the tales, with the possible exception of the prologue. He notes that many critics are troubled by an apparent tension between the personality they believe is apparent in the general prologue and that shown in prologue to the tale of “Sir Thopas.” He concludes by saying that the narrator does not exhibit a strong enough personality to be seen as playing an important role in the Canterbury Tales and that there is certainly not enough evidence to present a link between Chaucer and the narrator.
Available on JSTOR.
Kimpel examines the personality and role of the narrator of the Canterbury Tales as well as whether he should be viewed as Chaucer inserting himself into the story. Kimpel argues that the role that the narrator plays within the prologue is one of necessity and that we can glean little information about his personality from his remarks. He goes on to argue that very little evidence of the narrator’s personality exists throughout the rest of the tales, with the possible exception of the prologue. He notes that many critics are troubled by an apparent tension between the personality they believe is apparent in the general prologue and that shown in prologue to the tale of “Sir Thopas.” He concludes by saying that the narrator does not exhibit a strong enough personality to be seen as playing an important role in the Canterbury Tales and that there is certainly not enough evidence to present a link between Chaucer and the narrator.
Available on JSTOR.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Kathleen Hewitt, ' "Ther It Was First": Dream Poetics in the Parliament of Fowls.'
Hewitt, Kathleen. "Ther It Was First": Dream Poetics in the Parliament of Fowls. The Chaucer Review, Vol. 24. No. 1, 1989. pp. 20-28.
Hewitt elaborates on Chaucer's literary sources in the Parliament of Fowls, focusing on Cicero's Dream of Scipio, Dante's Inferno, Boccaccio's Teseida, and Alain de Lille's Plaint of Nature. Hewitt also examines how the dream sequence of Chaucer's Parliament is fashioned like the segment of Cicero's Dream, in which Africanus explains the movement of the concentric spheres (from unity to disunity) to the younger Scipio. The article purports that the narrator's dream in Parliament illuminates the whole of the structure of this explanation. The article is also enlightening in that it compares particular segments of the dream, such as the gateway with two stanzas of verse on either side and the juxtaposition of the temple of Venus with Priapus and the inexplicable plethora of birds, as a clustering of source materials that has been deviated from, allowing the reader to account for the lack of resolution at the end of the poem.
Hewitt elaborates on Chaucer's literary sources in the Parliament of Fowls, focusing on Cicero's Dream of Scipio, Dante's Inferno, Boccaccio's Teseida, and Alain de Lille's Plaint of Nature. Hewitt also examines how the dream sequence of Chaucer's Parliament is fashioned like the segment of Cicero's Dream, in which Africanus explains the movement of the concentric spheres (from unity to disunity) to the younger Scipio. The article purports that the narrator's dream in Parliament illuminates the whole of the structure of this explanation. The article is also enlightening in that it compares particular segments of the dream, such as the gateway with two stanzas of verse on either side and the juxtaposition of the temple of Venus with Priapus and the inexplicable plethora of birds, as a clustering of source materials that has been deviated from, allowing the reader to account for the lack of resolution at the end of the poem.
Chaucer and Courtly Love Once More--"The Wife of Bath's Tale" by George R. Coffman
Coffman, George R. Chaucer and Courtly Love Once More—“The Wife of Bath’s Tale.” Speculum, Vol. 20, NO. 1. (Jan., 1945), pp. 43-50.
In this article Coffman argues what when the Wife of Bath’s Tale is interpreted with reference to the tradition of courtly love, presented by Capellanus’s De Amore and the Courts of Love of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Tale shows how the traditions of courtly love are applied to life rather than to literary convention. Apart from summarizing the Tale and introducing his sources, Coffman’s article is devoted to displaying the incongruities of the courtly love tradition as they appear in the Wife of Bath’s Tale. Three examples he states include: the fact that the very Court of Love that by its own codes should have condemned the knight gives him salvation instead, the idea of nobleness of character shown by the epitome of gentilesse in the Loathly Lady and not the nobleness of position does not fit with the reality of feudal society, the Tale’s resolution presents a bond of love between husband and wife.
In this article Coffman argues what when the Wife of Bath’s Tale is interpreted with reference to the tradition of courtly love, presented by Capellanus’s De Amore and the Courts of Love of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Tale shows how the traditions of courtly love are applied to life rather than to literary convention. Apart from summarizing the Tale and introducing his sources, Coffman’s article is devoted to displaying the incongruities of the courtly love tradition as they appear in the Wife of Bath’s Tale. Three examples he states include: the fact that the very Court of Love that by its own codes should have condemned the knight gives him salvation instead, the idea of nobleness of character shown by the epitome of gentilesse in the Loathly Lady and not the nobleness of position does not fit with the reality of feudal society, the Tale’s resolution presents a bond of love between husband and wife.
P. B. Taylor, Chaucer's Cosyn to the Dede
Taylor, P. B. "Chaucer's Cosyn to the Dede." Speculum, Vol. 57, No. 2. (Apr. 1982), pp. 315-327.
Taylor explores the problematic relationships between words, intentions, and action found in Chaucer by focusing on the narrator's apology in the Prologue of the Canterbury Tales. He first rejects the conventional understandings of the apology, and proposes a more complex, multi-layered reading. By tracing and analyzing Chaucer's sources (Boethius, Jean de Meun, and Chalcidius) back to Plato, Isocrates and Sallust, Taylor shows how Chaucer's "cosyn to the dede" actually encompasses two separate and different conceptions of the nature and use of words - that of Isocrates and that of Plato. Thus, Chaucer's apology, in its rejection of Isocrates/Sallust for Plato and when placed beside the appeal to Christ, simultaneously suggests and rejects that "words both clothe morality and reflect in their particular references a world of universals." Taylor follows up with other elements in the Tales that support his claim such as puns on the words "cosyn" and "dede" and different meanings for particular phrases and words. Lastly, Taylor argues, through examining the realism vs. nominalism debate found between the Parson's and Pardoner's Tales, that Chaucer is a "Christian Platonist" who aspires for intent to inform action through words. However, this ideal aspiration is always "sullied" in reality.
This is an excellent article, but it does assume a working knowledge of Latin and familiarity with the works of ancient and medieval philosophers.
Available on JSTOR.
-Chor
Taylor explores the problematic relationships between words, intentions, and action found in Chaucer by focusing on the narrator's apology in the Prologue of the Canterbury Tales. He first rejects the conventional understandings of the apology, and proposes a more complex, multi-layered reading. By tracing and analyzing Chaucer's sources (Boethius, Jean de Meun, and Chalcidius) back to Plato, Isocrates and Sallust, Taylor shows how Chaucer's "cosyn to the dede" actually encompasses two separate and different conceptions of the nature and use of words - that of Isocrates and that of Plato. Thus, Chaucer's apology, in its rejection of Isocrates/Sallust for Plato and when placed beside the appeal to Christ, simultaneously suggests and rejects that "words both clothe morality and reflect in their particular references a world of universals." Taylor follows up with other elements in the Tales that support his claim such as puns on the words "cosyn" and "dede" and different meanings for particular phrases and words. Lastly, Taylor argues, through examining the realism vs. nominalism debate found between the Parson's and Pardoner's Tales, that Chaucer is a "Christian Platonist" who aspires for intent to inform action through words. However, this ideal aspiration is always "sullied" in reality.
This is an excellent article, but it does assume a working knowledge of Latin and familiarity with the works of ancient and medieval philosophers.
Available on JSTOR.
-Chor
George Lyman Kittredge, "The Marriage Group"
George Lyman Kittredge, "The Marriage Group"
George Lyman Kittredge. "The Marriage Group." The Canterbury Tales; Fifteen Tales and the General Prolouge, 2005, p. 539-546.
In this criticism, Kittredge discusses the topic of marriage that is brought up between the Wife of Bath, the Friar, the Summoner, the Clerk, the Merchant, and the Franklin Prolouges and Tales. The essay starts off with the examination of the Wife of Bath character. The main focus that Kittredge focuses on her is the claim she makes at the end of her Tale about how men should subject themselves to their wives and that they shouldn't be lording over them. The rest of the essay examins how the Friar, Summoner, Clerk, Merchant, and Franklin tackle her statement through their own Tales. Kittredge writes most of the remainder of his essay on the Clerk's Tale and how much of an impact it had in retaliation to the Wife of Bath's statement of male subjectivity. Kittredge ends his essay on criticing the Franklin's Tale. Kittredge states that this was used by Chaucer to end the argument started by the Wife of Bath in which the Franklin states that married couples should be subject to love and not each other. The criticism is a study on what Chaucer is saying about marriage during the time in which he lived. Chaucer is writing this as a view on how marriage was seen in his time but not as a lesson according to Kittredge. Kittredge ends his critic with stating how this group is a study not a lesson on marriage.
-Patrick Cogar
George Lyman Kittredge. "The Marriage Group." The Canterbury Tales; Fifteen Tales and the General Prolouge, 2005, p. 539-546.
In this criticism, Kittredge discusses the topic of marriage that is brought up between the Wife of Bath, the Friar, the Summoner, the Clerk, the Merchant, and the Franklin Prolouges and Tales. The essay starts off with the examination of the Wife of Bath character. The main focus that Kittredge focuses on her is the claim she makes at the end of her Tale about how men should subject themselves to their wives and that they shouldn't be lording over them. The rest of the essay examins how the Friar, Summoner, Clerk, Merchant, and Franklin tackle her statement through their own Tales. Kittredge writes most of the remainder of his essay on the Clerk's Tale and how much of an impact it had in retaliation to the Wife of Bath's statement of male subjectivity. Kittredge ends his essay on criticing the Franklin's Tale. Kittredge states that this was used by Chaucer to end the argument started by the Wife of Bath in which the Franklin states that married couples should be subject to love and not each other. The criticism is a study on what Chaucer is saying about marriage during the time in which he lived. Chaucer is writing this as a view on how marriage was seen in his time but not as a lesson according to Kittredge. Kittredge ends his critic with stating how this group is a study not a lesson on marriage.
-Patrick Cogar
Clifford J. Rogers, "The Military Revolutions of the Hundred Years' War"
Rogers, Clifford J. "The Military Revolutions of the Hundred Years' War." The Journal of Military History. Vol. 57, No. 2 (Apr. 1993). pp. 241-278.
After analyzing the prevailing historical theory that Western Europe became the dominant military power in the world due to the so-called "Military Revolution" between 1500 and 1800, Rogers posits that the Revolution was not a single event, but rather a series of smaller revolutions that culminated in Europe's military superiority. In addition, he places the first of these movements during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), a much earlier date than that set in the popular theory. Rogers dubs this event the "Infantry Revolution," which saw the replacement of aristocratic cavalry with commoner infantry as the decisive force on the battlefield.
In Chaucer's England, this change manifested itself in the development of the longbow, a weapon that for the first time allowed archers to easily pierce the armor of feudal knights. Whereas the medieval battlefield before this time focused on capturing and ransoming rival knights with amazingly few casualties, the innovations set forth by the longbow and similar weapons created vast killing grounds that were indiscriminate of class and rank. Such military might in the hands of commoners was problematic for the old social order. Greater political and social power was given to English commoners in order to placate them, all the while moving the nation (and all of Europe) towards a point when knights would become almost completely obsolete.
Available on JSTOR.
- John Campbell
After analyzing the prevailing historical theory that Western Europe became the dominant military power in the world due to the so-called "Military Revolution" between 1500 and 1800, Rogers posits that the Revolution was not a single event, but rather a series of smaller revolutions that culminated in Europe's military superiority. In addition, he places the first of these movements during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), a much earlier date than that set in the popular theory. Rogers dubs this event the "Infantry Revolution," which saw the replacement of aristocratic cavalry with commoner infantry as the decisive force on the battlefield.
In Chaucer's England, this change manifested itself in the development of the longbow, a weapon that for the first time allowed archers to easily pierce the armor of feudal knights. Whereas the medieval battlefield before this time focused on capturing and ransoming rival knights with amazingly few casualties, the innovations set forth by the longbow and similar weapons created vast killing grounds that were indiscriminate of class and rank. Such military might in the hands of commoners was problematic for the old social order. Greater political and social power was given to English commoners in order to placate them, all the while moving the nation (and all of Europe) towards a point when knights would become almost completely obsolete.
Available on JSTOR.
- John Campbell
Female Religous Experience
Female Religious Experience and Society in Thirteenth-Century
Luigi Pellegrini
Though this essay focuses on the changes in female religious life in
From:
Farmer, Sharon, and Barbara H. Rosenwein, ed. Monks and Nuns, Outcasts and Saints.
Robert W. Ackerman, "Chaucer, the Church, and Religion"
Ackerman gives a broad overview of some of the research that has been done regarding the structure of the church, what Chaucer expected his audience to be familiar with, and to what extent references to the Church show up in his writings. He explains that most of the references to any kind of religious official have to do with the lower offices (such as monks, friars, and nuns), which would have been very common across England, even after the Black Death, and thus would have been very familiar to Chaucer's audience. There was also a general awareness of conflict between secular priests and friars. Ackerman touches on a number of different aspects of religious life that Chaucer assumed his audience was familiar with. References to the bible are numerous, however, there are relatively few references to actual theologians or philosophers, and the only work of this kind which seems to make a significant influence on his works is Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy. Ackerman concludes that regardless of how critics interpret the various religious references in Chaucer, it is at least apparent that they were meant to be references well known to the audience at the time.
Available in Companion to Chaucer Studies. ed Beryl Rowland. 1979.
Available in Companion to Chaucer Studies. ed Beryl Rowland. 1979.
William Urban, "The Teutonic Knights: A Military History"
Urban, William. "The Teutonic Knights: A Military History". London: Greenhill Books. 2003.
This book is a narrative account of the history of the Teutonic Knights and their military campaigns. It is relevant to the Canterbury Tales because it discusses one of the most prominent campaigns that the Knight is said to have participated in. In particular, the book discusses the Order's Table of Honour that the Knight is said to have headed. "Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne Aboven alle naciouns in Pruce." (Canterbury Tales, 4). Urban discusses how this Table of Honor was well known and that the place of honor was given for the greatest courage shown on the battlefield. If one looks at this example of the Knight's prowess and chivalry it seems to support the image that Chaucer creates of the Knight being the perfect example of what a chivalrous knight should be. Urban continues to discuss what the Teutonic Knights were like in the period that the Knight would have served, which Carleton Brown in his article puts to be from 1343-1367. Urban discusses this period in Teutonic Knight history as being one in which the chivalric ideals began to take over. He discusses how the participants in the crusade of the Teutonic Order became the epitome of Chivalry. This could perhaps be looked on in contrast to the campaigns that the Squire participated in, which were purely secular campaigns. It would be interesting to research into these differences and see if Chaucer is trying to make a distinction between these two different examples of Chivalry.
-Tyler Hill
-This book is available from me if anyone is interested.
This book is a narrative account of the history of the Teutonic Knights and their military campaigns. It is relevant to the Canterbury Tales because it discusses one of the most prominent campaigns that the Knight is said to have participated in. In particular, the book discusses the Order's Table of Honour that the Knight is said to have headed. "Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne Aboven alle naciouns in Pruce." (Canterbury Tales, 4). Urban discusses how this Table of Honor was well known and that the place of honor was given for the greatest courage shown on the battlefield. If one looks at this example of the Knight's prowess and chivalry it seems to support the image that Chaucer creates of the Knight being the perfect example of what a chivalrous knight should be. Urban continues to discuss what the Teutonic Knights were like in the period that the Knight would have served, which Carleton Brown in his article puts to be from 1343-1367. Urban discusses this period in Teutonic Knight history as being one in which the chivalric ideals began to take over. He discusses how the participants in the crusade of the Teutonic Order became the epitome of Chivalry. This could perhaps be looked on in contrast to the campaigns that the Squire participated in, which were purely secular campaigns. It would be interesting to research into these differences and see if Chaucer is trying to make a distinction between these two different examples of Chivalry.
-Tyler Hill
-This book is available from me if anyone is interested.
H. Marshall Leicester, "Newer Currents in Psychoanalytic Critisim and the Diffrence It Makes: Gender and Desire in 'The Miller's Tale'"
Leicester, Marshall H. Newer Currents in Psychoanalytic Criticism and the Diffrence "It" makes: Gender and desire in "The Miller's Tale". EHL: A Journal of English Literary History. 1994. Vol. 61 Issue 3 pp. 473-499.
Leicester begins by citing an interpretation of the myth of Medusa that Freud analyzed in which he pointed out the realization of the "little boy" that he will be castrated for stealing what is the "older man's". Using this Leicester mentions that one could read this into Absolon and to an extent Nicolas. Leicester goes on to explain Lacanian theory and symbolism, particularly of doiors. He draws attention to the fact that the Miller is one who likes to "break down doors" and how the Miller breaks both class "doors" and sexual "doors". He then begins to discuss the Oedipal nature of the tale as well as the implications of virility. Alison is set up as an object of desire, something in the story that ultimately doesn't matter so long as she is there for the men to compete over.
The article got very obtuse very quickly. It could be confusing to those unfamiliar with psychoanalytic theory.
Leicester begins by citing an interpretation of the myth of Medusa that Freud analyzed in which he pointed out the realization of the "little boy" that he will be castrated for stealing what is the "older man's". Using this Leicester mentions that one could read this into Absolon and to an extent Nicolas. Leicester goes on to explain Lacanian theory and symbolism, particularly of doiors. He draws attention to the fact that the Miller is one who likes to "break down doors" and how the Miller breaks both class "doors" and sexual "doors". He then begins to discuss the Oedipal nature of the tale as well as the implications of virility. Alison is set up as an object of desire, something in the story that ultimately doesn't matter so long as she is there for the men to compete over.
The article got very obtuse very quickly. It could be confusing to those unfamiliar with psychoanalytic theory.
James Kreuzer, "The Swallow in Chaucer's "Miller's Tale"
Kreuzer, James. R. "The Swallow in Chaucer's 'Miller's Tale'". Modern Language Notes. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1958 pg. 81.
Gives an interesting bit of background on the significance of the image of Alison as a swallow--unconventional in romantic imagery, but relevant to the plot.
Available on JSTOR.
--Carina Saxon
Gives an interesting bit of background on the significance of the image of Alison as a swallow--unconventional in romantic imagery, but relevant to the plot.
Available on JSTOR.
--Carina Saxon
Carleton Brown, "The Squire and the Number of Canterbury Pilgrims"
Brown, Carleton. "The Squire and the Number of the Canterbury Pilgrims". Modern Language Notes. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1934 p. 216 of 216-222
Brown notes a discrepancy between the number of pilgrims Chaucer states are traveling together and the actual number named in the General Prologue. He suggests that this discrepancy, which has never been satisfactorily solved, points to a change of plan in the composition of the general prologue.
He references scholars who have found reason to think the squire was written later and inserted in to the narrative--the military exploits of the knight and the squire do not match in time, the squire comes with a single servant while the Knight is alone.
Without the squire, the number is right, and all three of the nun's priests can be counted. Chaucer does not count himself.
Also, contains an interesting discussion of the various military expeditions the Knight and the Squire could have been involved in, and their dates.
Available on JSTOR.
--Carina Saxon
Brown notes a discrepancy between the number of pilgrims Chaucer states are traveling together and the actual number named in the General Prologue. He suggests that this discrepancy, which has never been satisfactorily solved, points to a change of plan in the composition of the general prologue.
He references scholars who have found reason to think the squire was written later and inserted in to the narrative--the military exploits of the knight and the squire do not match in time, the squire comes with a single servant while the Knight is alone.
Without the squire, the number is right, and all three of the nun's priests can be counted. Chaucer does not count himself.
Also, contains an interesting discussion of the various military expeditions the Knight and the Squire could have been involved in, and their dates.
Available on JSTOR.
--Carina Saxon
Catherine Rock, "Forsworn and Fordone: Arcite as Oath-Breaker"
Rock, Catherine A. "Forsworn and Fordone: Arcite as Oath-Breaker in the Knight's Tale." Chaucer Review, Vol. 40 Issue 4 (2006,) pp 416-432.
Catherine A. Rock focuses on Arcite's identity as an oath-breaker, and how this identity affects his death. She posits that the oath of brotherhood, which did not appear in Bocaccio's Teseida, is the key to Arcite's grim fate. She argues that Arcite broke the oath, not Palamon. She places the oath, an example of earthly law and justice, next to the "natural law" of love. Arcite places the "natural law" before his earthly oath, and betrays Palamon. She shows other examples of Arcite breaking oaths, or betraying loyalties. She points out that Arcite breaks his oath to Theseus as well, returning to Athens although he swore not to, and also betrays his allegiance to Mars after his release, by playing the part of a pining lover, rather than acting as the military leader of his state. Rock argues that Arcite's betrayals lead him to his grisly, unromantic death. But she also says that he experiences a deathbed redemption by renewing the bonds of brotherhood between himself and Palamon.
--Hannah Rapp
Catherine A. Rock focuses on Arcite's identity as an oath-breaker, and how this identity affects his death. She posits that the oath of brotherhood, which did not appear in Bocaccio's Teseida, is the key to Arcite's grim fate. She argues that Arcite broke the oath, not Palamon. She places the oath, an example of earthly law and justice, next to the "natural law" of love. Arcite places the "natural law" before his earthly oath, and betrays Palamon. She shows other examples of Arcite breaking oaths, or betraying loyalties. She points out that Arcite breaks his oath to Theseus as well, returning to Athens although he swore not to, and also betrays his allegiance to Mars after his release, by playing the part of a pining lover, rather than acting as the military leader of his state. Rock argues that Arcite's betrayals lead him to his grisly, unromantic death. But she also says that he experiences a deathbed redemption by renewing the bonds of brotherhood between himself and Palamon.
--Hannah Rapp
Carol Heffernan, "Praying Before the Image of Mary"
Hefferman, Carol F. “Praying Before the Image of Mary: Chaucer’s Prioress’s Tale, VII 502-12”. Chaucer Review. 2004. Vol. 39 Issue 1 pg 103-116.
Carol Hefferman of Rutgers University explores the idea behind praying before an image, specifically images of the Virgin Mary. The article takes two focuses. The first focus is of the image becoming a symbol of piety for the lewd. Hefferman suggests that the luneducated needed symbols and images because of their lack of education, especially in terms of their lack of Latin. The second focus zeroes in on the historical relevance of the image of Mary, especially in context to the location of the tale. As the tale is suggested to be near a great eastern city, it is likely that the controversy of iconoclasm is still strongly influencing the idea of the veneration of images. Hefferman briefly attempts to discuss miracles and the intervention of saints, but winds up reflecting back on piety and martyrdom. In this case, the focus is on the martyred child in the tale and the allusion to Christian sacrifice.
-- Andrés Boyer
Carol Hefferman of Rutgers University explores the idea behind praying before an image, specifically images of the Virgin Mary. The article takes two focuses. The first focus is of the image becoming a symbol of piety for the lewd. Hefferman suggests that the luneducated needed symbols and images because of their lack of education, especially in terms of their lack of Latin. The second focus zeroes in on the historical relevance of the image of Mary, especially in context to the location of the tale. As the tale is suggested to be near a great eastern city, it is likely that the controversy of iconoclasm is still strongly influencing the idea of the veneration of images. Hefferman briefly attempts to discuss miracles and the intervention of saints, but winds up reflecting back on piety and martyrdom. In this case, the focus is on the martyred child in the tale and the allusion to Christian sacrifice.
-- Andrés Boyer
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Wayne Shumaker "Alisoun in Wander-land: A Study in Chaucer's Mind and Literary Method"
Shumaker, Wayne. “Alisoun in Wander-land: A Study in Chaucer’s Mind and Literary Method.” ELH: A Journal of English Literary History 18.2 (1951): 77-89.
Shumaker makes a claim about the Wife of Bath, Alys, and her portrayal by Chaucer. In his opinion, the well-traveled Wife of Bath would give much credit to her sex. Going into the difficulties and immodesties of belonging to a journey, let alone three, would give Alys a greater understanding of the world and give her an experiential education most women would not have the opportunity to have. Alys’s modern sensibility and individuality are underscored, in his opinion, by Chaucer giving her feminine traits of sinful faults in character and modesty. Still, Shumaker does not blame Chaucer exclusively, considering his audience and time period. Instead, he compares Alys to a real life example of a well-traveled women of the time period, Margery Kemp, whose writing: The Book of Margery Kempe was written approximately between 1413 and 1415. The examples of Kempe’s knowledge and reflection written about her journey to Palestine connect to the Wife of Bath in the struggle of being part of a journey few would undertake with such inconveniences of travel. The comparison of two women taking on a role that was not expected in the 15th century shows the strength of women at the time and the fact that they could endure such hardships as men. Shumaker’s respect for Alys, the Wife of Bath, is evident. The strength of her character is shown and even respected by both Chaucer and the narrator for the time period. Nevertheless, only from a modern standpoint, using the documents recently found of Margery Kempe could the reader fully grasp the nature of women during the medieval period.
Shumaker makes a claim about the Wife of Bath, Alys, and her portrayal by Chaucer. In his opinion, the well-traveled Wife of Bath would give much credit to her sex. Going into the difficulties and immodesties of belonging to a journey, let alone three, would give Alys a greater understanding of the world and give her an experiential education most women would not have the opportunity to have. Alys’s modern sensibility and individuality are underscored, in his opinion, by Chaucer giving her feminine traits of sinful faults in character and modesty. Still, Shumaker does not blame Chaucer exclusively, considering his audience and time period. Instead, he compares Alys to a real life example of a well-traveled women of the time period, Margery Kemp, whose writing: The Book of Margery Kempe was written approximately between 1413 and 1415. The examples of Kempe’s knowledge and reflection written about her journey to Palestine connect to the Wife of Bath in the struggle of being part of a journey few would undertake with such inconveniences of travel. The comparison of two women taking on a role that was not expected in the 15th century shows the strength of women at the time and the fact that they could endure such hardships as men. Shumaker’s respect for Alys, the Wife of Bath, is evident. The strength of her character is shown and even respected by both Chaucer and the narrator for the time period. Nevertheless, only from a modern standpoint, using the documents recently found of Margery Kempe could the reader fully grasp the nature of women during the medieval period.
Jeffrey Helterman, “The Dehumanizing Metamorphoses of The Knight’s Tale”
Helterman, Jeffrey. “The Dehumanizing Metamorphoses of The Knight's Tale.” ELH
Halterman explains in Chaucer’s Knight’s Tale the main characters who try to be elevated in status by the ideals of chivalry and love instead fall to the position of less than a beast. He accomplishes this conclusion in part by realizing Artice’s renunciation of his blood oath to Palamoun, which leads to his forfeit of human nature as a social and moral being. Using Chaucer’s sources, such as Boethius, Boccaccio and Gower, Halterman also discusses the Knight himself, briefly as a historical figure, but focused most on how the Knight character is unable to elevate himself through bloody conquest. Halterman argues that destruction and perversion of nature is a theme in The Knight’s Tale by using a bountiful amount of citations from both the tale and the sources of Chaucer.
E. Talbot Donaldson, "Chaucer the Pilgrim"
E. Talbot Donaldson, "Chaucer the Pilgrim"
Donaldson, E. Talbot. "Chaucer the Pilgrim." The Canterbury Tales; Fifteen Tales and the General Prologue, 2005, pp 503-551.
Donaldson examines the distinction between Chaucer the civil servant, poet, and "pilgrim" or narrator of the tale, arguing that while they cohabitate the same body, they are not necessarily the same man. He also dismisses previous criticisms claiming that Chaucer was as earnest or as reporter-like as a face-value reading of the text might lead one to believe. Using examples from both the general and individual prologues, he argues that Chaucer's persona as the fortune-affectionate, glamour-bedazzled "Fat Geoff" character is a device used to simultaneously entertain, criticize and please his upper-class audience, serving the needs of Chaucer the man and the aims of Chaucer the poet; for this reason, it might not always to be possible to determine whether we are to view the world as it ought to be or, like "his fictional representative... to go on affirming affectionately what is."
Liz Soehngen
Donaldson, E. Talbot. "Chaucer the Pilgrim." The Canterbury Tales; Fifteen Tales and the General Prologue, 2005, pp 503-551.
Donaldson examines the distinction between Chaucer the civil servant, poet, and "pilgrim" or narrator of the tale, arguing that while they cohabitate the same body, they are not necessarily the same man. He also dismisses previous criticisms claiming that Chaucer was as earnest or as reporter-like as a face-value reading of the text might lead one to believe. Using examples from both the general and individual prologues, he argues that Chaucer's persona as the fortune-affectionate, glamour-bedazzled "Fat Geoff" character is a device used to simultaneously entertain, criticize and please his upper-class audience, serving the needs of Chaucer the man and the aims of Chaucer the poet; for this reason, it might not always to be possible to determine whether we are to view the world as it ought to be or, like "his fictional representative... to go on affirming affectionately what is."
Liz Soehngen
Monday, January 22, 2007
Eyler and Sexton, "Once More to the Grove: a Note on Symbolic Space in the 'Knight's Tale' "
Eyler, Joshua R. and Sexton, John P. "Once More to the Grove: a Note on Symbolic Space in the 'Knight's Tale' ." The Chaucer Review, Vol. 40, No. 4 (2006), pp 433-9.
In this article Eyler and Sexton explore the contradiction found in the "Knight's Tale" in regards to the grove where Theseus finds Palamon and Arcite fighting. They point out that Theseus destroys the grove in order to build the lists where the tournament between the cousins is later held; and then, when Arcite dies Theseus declares that he will be buried in the same grove which was supposedly destroyed, making no mention of the lists which had been built in its place. Eyler and Sexton suggest this is no simple oversight on Chaucer's part, and that rather this contradiction served to highlight the role which chaos plays in this story. Theseus tries hard to impose order upon this chaos, but in the end his well-mannered and regulated tournament is overthrown by the will of the gods, yeilding the same result that the original, 'savage' duel could have created. Eyler and Sexton argue that in the end the only real victor is the chaos which overthrows every attempt for order.
--avaliable on WilsonSelectPlus search
Malissa Kent
In this article Eyler and Sexton explore the contradiction found in the "Knight's Tale" in regards to the grove where Theseus finds Palamon and Arcite fighting. They point out that Theseus destroys the grove in order to build the lists where the tournament between the cousins is later held; and then, when Arcite dies Theseus declares that he will be buried in the same grove which was supposedly destroyed, making no mention of the lists which had been built in its place. Eyler and Sexton suggest this is no simple oversight on Chaucer's part, and that rather this contradiction served to highlight the role which chaos plays in this story. Theseus tries hard to impose order upon this chaos, but in the end his well-mannered and regulated tournament is overthrown by the will of the gods, yeilding the same result that the original, 'savage' duel could have created. Eyler and Sexton argue that in the end the only real victor is the chaos which overthrows every attempt for order.
--avaliable on WilsonSelectPlus search
Malissa Kent
D.S. Brewer, "Class Distinction in Chaucer"
Brewer, D. S. “Class Distinction in Chaucer.” Speculum, Vol. 43, No. 2. (Apr., 1968), pp. 290-305
Brewer examines the social structures present in The Canterbury Tales, contending that there are in fact three distinctive class systems based on; “rank,” which is apparently divinely ordained, requires wealth, and classifies a social standing that ranges from high (king) to low (peasant); a binary system of the titled versus the untitled (and a conceptual “gentilesse” which allows a person to surpass his or her rank through qualities of character); and finally a three-fold categorization that distinguishes between knight, clergy and plowman. Brewer provides clarifying insights into the social mindset of the time period in which social status was almost – but not completely – fixed: through personal choices and behaviors a person could both fall from and climb the social “ladder.” Brewer concludes that social structure plays a critical role in The Canterbury Tales, and for that reason it ought to be explored more thoroughly. It is regrettable that the article itself does not do this more thorough exploration.
– Available on JSTOR
Lisa Goetz
Brewer examines the social structures present in The Canterbury Tales, contending that there are in fact three distinctive class systems based on; “rank,” which is apparently divinely ordained, requires wealth, and classifies a social standing that ranges from high (king) to low (peasant); a binary system of the titled versus the untitled (and a conceptual “gentilesse” which allows a person to surpass his or her rank through qualities of character); and finally a three-fold categorization that distinguishes between knight, clergy and plowman. Brewer provides clarifying insights into the social mindset of the time period in which social status was almost – but not completely – fixed: through personal choices and behaviors a person could both fall from and climb the social “ladder.” Brewer concludes that social structure plays a critical role in The Canterbury Tales, and for that reason it ought to be explored more thoroughly. It is regrettable that the article itself does not do this more thorough exploration.
– Available on JSTOR
Lisa Goetz
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Examples of annotated bibliographic entries
Kelly, Kathleen Ann. "An Inspiration for Chaucer's Description of Chauntecleer." English Language Notes. Vol. 30, no 3, March 1993.1-6.
Kelly first gives a brief overview of the sources critics have attributed for Chaucer's description of Chantecleer. She then suggests that Chaucer did not simply create "a hyperbolic description of Everyrooster" but that he was influenced by the description of the phoenix in Mandeville's Travels. She contends that for those in Chaucer's audience who would have made the connection, it would have served to heighten the mock-heroic elements of the tale.
Shallers, A. Paul. "The 'Nun's Priest's Tale': An Ironic Exemplum." ELH 42, 1975. 319-337.
Shallers studies the Medieval exemplum and the ironic voice in this article. He goes over trends in criticism to assign a meaning to the tale. He also explores some of the sources and analogues for the tale, as well as looks at the tale in light of the Knight's Tale. He concludes that: "[The NPT] is instead Chaucer's comic vision of mankind which counterbalances in the Canterbury Tales the ideal image he presents in the Knight's Tale."
—taken from The Nun’s Priest’s Tale: An Annotated Bibliography, by Anniina Jokinen, http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/nunsbib.htm
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Please begin adding entries below (see syllabus for other details). After adding an entry, please put your name at the very end so that we know whom to ask about how best to locate the particular book or article that you overviewed. If you have immediate information, though, such as "available as reserve for class" or "available online through JSTOR," etc., please indicated that at the end of your entry as well. LH
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Kelly first gives a brief overview of the sources critics have attributed for Chaucer's description of Chantecleer. She then suggests that Chaucer did not simply create "a hyperbolic description of Everyrooster" but that he was influenced by the description of the phoenix in Mandeville's Travels. She contends that for those in Chaucer's audience who would have made the connection, it would have served to heighten the mock-heroic elements of the tale.
Shallers, A. Paul. "The 'Nun's Priest's Tale': An Ironic Exemplum." ELH 42, 1975. 319-337.
Shallers studies the Medieval exemplum and the ironic voice in this article. He goes over trends in criticism to assign a meaning to the tale. He also explores some of the sources and analogues for the tale, as well as looks at the tale in light of the Knight's Tale. He concludes that: "[The NPT] is instead Chaucer's comic vision of mankind which counterbalances in the Canterbury Tales the ideal image he presents in the Knight's Tale."
—taken from The Nun’s Priest’s Tale: An Annotated Bibliography, by Anniina Jokinen, http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/nunsbib.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please begin adding entries below (see syllabus for other details). After adding an entry, please put your name at the very end so that we know whom to ask about how best to locate the particular book or article that you overviewed. If you have immediate information, though, such as "available as reserve for class" or "available online through JSTOR," etc., please indicated that at the end of your entry as well. LH
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Saturday, January 6, 2007
Welcome to the Knox College Chaucer blog
If you are a student in the winter 2007 Chaucer class, you've come to the right place. This is the online space we will use to construct our class annotated bibliography. Stay tuned for more instructions.
Lori
Lori
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