Chaucerian Irony in the Verse Epistles 'Words unto Adam,' 'Lenvoy a Scogan,' and 'Lenvoy a Bukton'

Description: These highly unconventional epistolary poems lack well-defined literary antecedents and clearcut sources, instead reflecting the poet's own experiences and opinions on his craft and love and marriage. As universal ironic statements by a naive narrator, Adam is a humorous account of Original Sin and Redemption; Scog is an allegory of ways to conquer mutabliity and spiritual death; Buk, though seeming to condemn marriage, approves that bondage in "obedience to the New Law" of Christ's love.

Chaucer Subjects: Lyrics and Short Poems.; Adam Scriveyn; Envoy to Scogan; Envoy to Bukton