Kaske, R. E.
Richard J. Schoeck and Jerome Taylor, eds. Chaucer Criticism, Volume II: Troilus and Criseyde & The Minor Poems (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1961), pp. 167-80.
Describes the Continental lyric genre of the "aube," linking it with the German "tagelied," assessing Chaucer's use of the form in Book 3 of TC, and addressing his use of source material derived from Boccaccio's "Filostrato." Concludes that Chaucer…
Sommer, George J.
New York-Pennsylvania Modern Language Association Newsletter 1.2 (1968): 1-5.
Describes Chaucer's use in TC of the "Editorial Omniscient" point of view, comments on the relationship between the narrator and the writer, and exemplifies the various and changing attitudes of the narrator: compassion, helplessness in the face of…
Anthologizes a wide range of selections from British and American literature—poetry, fiction, drama, and translations, with brief, appreciative introductions to individual authors and their works. Includes description of Chaucer as a "poet of light,"…
Parr, Johnstone,and Nancy Ann Holtz.
Chaucer Review 15 (1981): 255-66.
Recently computerized astrological tables permit faster and more accurate computation. Chaucer describes events that took place in 1385, but the unusual planetary configurations would undoubtedly have been predicted before that date; hence one…
WBP contains two quotations from Ptolemy (3.180-81, 326-27), setting up a system for classifying knowledge according to practica (the Wife) and theorica (Ptolemy). The Wife recontextualizes and trivializes Ptolemy's efforts to achieve a vision of…
Benson, C. David.
American Notes and Queries 22 (1984): 62-66.
The Physician's being "grounded in astronomye," i.e., astrology, is not a slighting gibe at his abilities. The publication of Nicholas of Lynn's "Kalendarium" (ed. Sigmund Eisner, Chaucer Library) offers "convincing evidence that Chaucer intended no…
North, J. D.
Scientific American 230 (1974): 96-106.
Describes the construction and functions of the astrolabe, an instrument "used for both astronomical and terrestrial observations," and an "analogue computer" for "determining the local time." Surveys historical descriptions of the construction of…
McNamara, Leo F.
Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters 46 (1961): 231-37.
Rejects the "drunkenness hypothesis" as a way of explaining the Pardoner's character, arguing that pride and "counterfeit humility" underlie the characterization and that the "[s]uspicion, aversion, and contempt" of the pilgrim audience toward him…
Johnson examines Chaucer's attitudes about and representations of the "workings of the soul in stirring itself towards God," comparing Bo to its Boethian original in light of late fourteenth-century pastoral instruction and tracing similar sentiments…
Cotton, Michael E.
Chaucer Review 7.1 (1972): 37-43.
Treats the "psychological realism" and "moral allegory" in TC as complementary, analyzing the imagery and themes of ancient gods, the moon, and mutability, associated with Criseyde. Images of hell and torment in the final two books, differing from…
In his paintings of the Canterbury pilgrims, Blake shows the influence of previous illustrations for and commentary upon CT, but goes beyond the artistic and textual tradition to set the group of pilgrims in his own Blakean cosmos, pairing characters…
Encourages study of the classical-medieval theory and practice of artificial memory, i.e., memory training that depends on associating ideas with familiar places, whether real or imagined. Comments on the important work of Frances Yates and…
Stolz, Anne Crehan.
Dissertation Abstracts International 39 (1979): 5498A.
The signs of unfinishedness which appear most prominently in Chaucer's unfinished pieces are also present in the more finished pieces, where they make a major contribution to Chaucer's meaning. Chaucer's unfinishedness is due in part to the uses he…
Reflects on how GP yields patterns for writers to emulate, since the first line concerns the cycle of nature, patterns of order and hierarchy, and the theme of regeneration, in a syntactically complicated periodic sentence.
Johnston, Andrew James, Ethan Knapp, and Margitta Rouse, eds.
Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 2015.
Collection of essays on ekphrastic discourse from the eleventh to the seventeenth century in texts written in Middle English, but also Medieval Latin, Old French, Middle Scots, Middle High German, and Early Modern English. For four essays that…
Guerin, Dorothy Jane.
Dissertation Abstracts International 38 (1978): 4149A.
Chaucer's chief object in LGW is to explore, through the art of "variatio," irrational sexual passion as a source of human misery. The legends divide into three distinct groups: the pathetic tale, Dido and its variations, and star-crossed lovers.
Eckhardt, Caroline D.
Studies in the Age of Chaucer 6 (1984): 41-63.
As a translation of "Roman de la Rose," Chaucer's Rom is remarkably faithful; nevertheless, Chaucer did make changes to create greater "ease" and intimacy."
Sayers, Dorothy L.
Nottingham Medieval Studies 9 (1965): 15-31.
Surveys and comments on English poetic translations of Dante's "Commedia" from Chaucer to Laurence Binyon, opening with mention of the Ugolino episode from MkT (based on "Inferno" XXXIII 1-90), followed by quotation of SNP 8.36-56, calling it a…
Sayers, Dorothy L.
Nottingham Medieval Studies 9 (1965): 15-31.
Surveys and comments on English poetic translations of Dante's "Commedia" from Chaucer to Laurence Binyon, opening with mention of the Ugolino episode from MkT (based on "Inferno" XXXIII 1-90), followed by quotation of SNP 8.36-56, calling it a…
Chaucer's catalogues of feminine delights seem totally original, but upon closer scrutiny they reveal techniques employed by many other poets both serious and humorous.
Ruggiers, Paul G.
Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1965.
Describes the aesthetic and moral principles and practices, overt and covert, of the CT, acclaiming the vitality of the "framing structure" of the links and the complex ironies of the narrator (especially in Ret) for the ways that they enable and…
Amsel, Stephanie A.
William Morris Society in the United States Newsletter n.v. (2012): 8-9.
Describes Southern Methodist University Bridwell Library's 1896 William Morris paper copy of the Kelmscott Chaucer. Includes details about letters, manuscript notes, drafts of illustrations and borders by Edward Burne-Jones, photographs, and other…
