Speaking of Chaucer

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.