Chaucer often treats of the discrepancy between intent and words, especially in GP 725-42, PardT, and ParsT. Philosophically, Chaucer's view of language is that of a Christian Platonist; he aspires toward a linguistic realism in which intent informs…
Despite the textual authority of the half line (GP A 164) "and preestes thre," arguments from an analysis of Chaucer's practice in the portrayal of other pilgrims suggest that the words should be suppressed in a modern edition. There were probably…
Higgs, Elton D.
Huntington Library Quarterly 45 (1982): 155-73.
The Knight and the pilgrims in his group represent the physical world and its transformation, the Clerk and his group reflect the changes in the intellectual sphere of society, and the Plowman and the Parson are the ideal representatives of the…
Taylor, Paul Beekman.
Chaucer Review 17 (1982): 1-4.
"Zephirus" and "licour" are not merely stylistic adornment but referential as well. The words evoke alchemical change and purification, themes that run through many of the tales and conclude the collection in ParsT with spiritual rebirth.
The fourteenth-century poem here edited is held to support the view that Chaucer's depiction of the Franklin in GP is straightforward and favorable, not ironic or satiric.
Coleman, William E.
Medium AEvum 51 (1982): 92-101.
Chaucer's acquisition of a manuscript of "Teseida" in 1378 suggests that Chaucer omits reference to Boccaccio because he may have seen the imperfect Pavia MS 881, which lacked Boccaccio's commentary and attribution to Boccaccio.
Huntsman, Jeffrey F.
Notes and Queries, 227 (1982): 237.
Although N. F. Blake (N&Q 224:110-11 and Thomas W. Ross N&Q 226:202) assert that the Miller's use of "astromye" reflects his literacy, it seems likely that the form existed as a plausible variant. The B text of "Piers Plowman" also contains sixteen…
Lewis, Robert E.
Modern Philology 79 (1982): 241-55.
Although there were only a few English fabliaux before the late fourteenth century, an English fabliau genre can be identified as distinct from the earlier French in dramatic aspects, i.e., the use of direct speech. "Dame Sirith," for example,…
Herzman, Ronald B.
American Benedictine Review 33 (1982): 325-33.
Symkyn's name is diminutive of Simon and thus calls up the story of Simon the Magician as found in the Acts of Peter. In a larger sense the rise and inevitable fall of pride that is the tales structural skeleton gains resonance when placed against…
Johnson, William C.,Jr.
Chaucer Review 16 (1982): 201-21.
MLT is a test case of Chaucer's use of Christian materials directed toward a "new human center." Christ and Christianity are uniquely transformed into a pervasive humanism, through Chaucer's tolerant ambivalence.
The idea that virtue is perfect only when it is enjoyable is corrected in WBT with the discourse on gentilesse. The three main concepts regarding pleasure discussed in WBT are the equation of pleasure with perfection, the coexistence of pleasure and…
Leicester, H. Marshall,Jr.
Chaucer Review 17 (1982): 21-39.
The description of the Friar, the tone of his remarks and his tale, and the response of the Summoner are couched in ambiguities. These are clarified if we are aware of the implicit context in which he operates: a social hierarchy, based on…
Acker, Paul.
American Notes and Queries 21 (1982): 2-4.
Sumner Ferris (AN&Q 9:71-72) sees a pun on the name "Wade" in MerT 1684: "lat us waden out of his mateere." More probably the image is one of wading with difficulty out of a stream. The MerT allusion to "Wades boot" is a metaphor for "the (male)…
Haman, Mark Stefan.
Dissertation Abstracts International 42 (1982): 4444A.
Certain fourteenth-century works (the York plays, "Confessio Amantis," "Piers Plowman," CYT) function by placing inadequate characters in crisis situations. The audience learns from their limited reactions. Most complex is MerT: the narrator's…
Tucker, Edward F. J.
American Benedictine Review 33 (1982): 172-81.
The character of January is indebted to the doctrine of "doublemindedness" promulgated in the Epistle of James, especially as interpreted by Bede. The tale demonstrates the inner temptation undergone by those who waver between charity and cupidity;…
Bleeth, Kenneth A.
American Notes and Queries 20 (1982): 130-31.
In adapting the fourth "question d'amore" of the "Filocolo" into the story of FranT, Chaucer changed the task from a flowering garden in January to "remoeve alle the rokkes" from the Brittany coast. Chaucer may have derived this idea from Ovid's…
Bloomfield, Morton W.
Mary J. Carruthers and Elizabeth D. Kirk, eds. Acts of Interpretation (Norman, Okla.: Pilgrim Books, 1982), pp. 189-98.
Chaucer moves away from the Catholic concept of love, which abhors adultery. FranT is a happy tale in spite of the serious unanswered questions about God and life and love.
Rudat, Wolfgang E. H.
CEA Critic 45 (1982): 16-22.
Sexual frustration during Arveragus's absence motivates Dorigen's verbal infidelity. Aurelius, however, can neither accept her from her husband nor pay the magician with whom the squire has lowered himself to deal.
Traversi, Derek.
Literary Imagination (Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1982), pp. 87-119.
FranT, a part of the Marriage Group, which itself is part of a larger design in "patience" or "grace," demonstrates a subtle balance between the courtly tradition and "gentilesse" but does not give the final answer to the marriage debate.
Crowther, J. D. W.
English Studies in Canada 8 (1982): 125-37.
In spite of many similarities to saints' legends, PhyT does not entirely conform to the genre. Instead of being a tale of faith affirmed, it is one of faith betrayed. Virginius's lack of faith leads him to slay Virginia rather than allow her faith…
Beidler, Peter G.
Chaucer Review 16 (1982): 257-69.
Only Chaucer places the story of the rioters' search for gold in plague time. The article examines the implications of the plague setting and the plague in literature to explain Chaucer's choice of plague setting.
