Eade, J. C.
New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984.
On the use of astrology from medieval times through the eighteenth century, the book is in three parts: an explanation of genuine astronomy and astronomical terms; an explanation of false premises in astrological schematics; and application of…
Despite opinions to the contrary, literal theory was practiced in the later Middle Ages. It appears in glosses and prologues of the Latin "auctores" studied in schools and universities and in biblical glosses, exegeses, and commentaries. This…
Knight, Stephen.
Sidney Studies in English 9 (1983-1984): 21-36.
Emphasizes the oral and dramatic nature of Chaucer's art as illustrated by the Pardoner, against the "socioeconomically based individualism" of the fourteenth century.
Olmert, Michael.
Arete: The Journal of Sport Literature 2:1 (1984): 171-82.
Briefly surveys the practice of drawing lots in ancient history, the Bible, medieval literature, and Chaucer's works, focusing on the GP "lottery" to select who will tell the first tale.
Galván Reula, J. F.
Epos: Revista de Filologia 1 (1984): 19-34.
Focuses on NPT as an example of Chaucer's combination of linguistic ambiguity and limited or unreliable narration, his "modern" features. Chaucer's works are classics because his techniques accord well with the narrative theories of modern critics…
Abbe, Elfriede, illus.
Manchester Center, Vt. : Press of Elfriede Abbe, 1984.
Illustrated, slightly modernized version (Globe ed.) of CYPT. Numerous monochromatic woodblock engravings (plates and marginal figures) illustrate the narrative and depict alchemical symbols.
Mehl, Dieter.
Deutsche Shakespeare-Gesellschaft West Jahrbuch 120 : 111-27, 1984.
TC inspired both Albert Brooke's The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare's play is a "more serious and comprehensive reading" of TC, particularly its fusion of comedy and tragedy, than is…
Halfim, Miriam.
Rio de Janeiro : Civilização Brasileira, 1984.
Halfim summarizes social conditions of Jews in early English society and assesses the depiction of Jews in PrT (pp. 22-34), Marlowe's "The Jew of Malta," and Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." The authors of all three works reiterate Christian…
Brinton, Laurel J.
English Studies in Canada 10 (1984): 251-64.
Identifies three concerns in Mel: being reasonable in worldly affairs, sovereignty and proper cousel as themes, and the role of the tale in the sentence / solaas dynamic in CT. Includes a survey of criticism.
Peck, Russell A.
Mediaevalia 7 (1984 for 1981): 91-131.
Biblical Pauline notions of pilgrimage recur throughout CT, evident in imagery drawn from Paul's letters, although often in "parody and travesty": old men and new men, doctrine amidst enigma, iconography of wells, vessels, widows, musical…
McCaughrean, Geraldine.
Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1991.
Free adaptation of CT for children: GP, KnT, MilT, NPT, RvT, ClT, WBT, PardT, Th, FranT, ManT, CYT, FrT, and MerT. Provides links for the Tales in the above order and concludes with an arrival at Canterbury. First published in 1984; a Penguin Film…
Considers textual issues that pertain to the "Host stanza" at the end of ClT (4.1212a-g) and several passages in MkT and NPT: the "Adam stanza" (7.2007-14), the "Modern Instances" (7.2375-2462), and the short versus long versions of NPP. Discusses…
Gariano, Carmelo.
Sacramento : Department of Foreign Languages, California State University, 1984.
Comparative analysis of the themes, techniques, and intertextual relationships of Ruiz's "Libro de buen amor," Boccaccio's "Decameron," and CT. Topics include world view, love and passion, nascent humanism, satire and irony, and narrative structures.…
Gillmeister explains "vitremite" as a combination of "uistre" (oyster) and "ermite" (hermit), a Chaucerian coinage for a kind of headwear the poet may have associated with monasteries.
Skerpan, Elizabeth Penley.
Journal of the Rocky Mountain Medieval and Renaissance Association 5 (1984): 41-54.
Explores Chaucer's depictions of physicians, focusing on how they exemplify the tension between "medici corporals" (bodily medicine) and "spirituals" (spiritual medicine). None of Chaucer's physicians exhibit an ideal balance; Chaucer explores a…
Suggests that the "cluster of ideas" that conclude Shakespeare's Sonnet 38 are a version of the "topos of supplication" that Bawcutt traces back to Boccaccio's "Filostrato," citing mediating examples in TC (1.15-21), KnT (2405-6), and Gavin Douglas's…
Godman, Peter.
Review of English Studies 35 (1984): 291-300.
Reassesses several "flaws" perceived by J. A. W. Bennett in his analysis (1982) of Robert Henryson's "Testament of Cresseid," and argues that each has a "proper function" in the poem. Compares and contrasts Henryson's characterization of Cresseid…
Boyd, Beverly.
Paul Ruggiers, ed. Editing Chaucer: The Great Tradition (Norman, Okla.: Pilgrim Books, 1984), pp. 13-34.
Summarizes the life of William Caxton and his place at the head of the English printing tradition, providing basic information about fifteenth-century printing, linguistic conditions, and orthographical practice. Focuses on the seven volumes of…
Blodgett, James E.
Paul Ruggiers, ed. Editing Chaucer: The Great Tradition (Norman, Okla.: Pilgrim Books, 1984), pp. 35-52.
Summarizes the life of William Thynne and gauges the editorial practices and influence of his 1532 edition of Chaucer's "Workes," arguing that it introduced humanistic rigor into the editing of English works. Although Thynne's practices were…
