Comic Perspective in Two Middle English Poems

Author / Editor
Wright, M. J.

Title
Comic Perspective in Two Middle English Poems

Published
Parergon 18 (1977): 3-15.

Description
"Pearl" is a divine comedy which views earthly matters from above with tolerance. In KnT Chaucer eliminates the flight to the heavens found in "Teseida"; the perspective of Theseus is earthly but still tolerant. In TC, by contrast, Troilus' ascent has a "contemptus mundi" effect.

Chaucer Subjects
Knight and His Tale.
Troilus and Criseyde.