Mercurial Translation in 'The Book of the Duchess'

Description: Throughout his works, Chaucer employs "mercurial figures" who appear as "emblematic escorts, to lead readers safely past narrative fissures." In BD, these figures appear not only as Mercury himself but also as the whelp (d-o-g for g-o-d), who functions additionally as the poet, directing members of the audience where he wants them to go.