Beauty, Unity, and the Ideal: Wholeness and Heterogeneity in the Kelmscott 'Chaucer'

Author / Editor
Archibald, Diana C.

Title
Beauty, Unity, and the Ideal: Wholeness and Heterogeneity in the Kelmscott 'Chaucer'

Published
Studies in Medievalism 7 (1996): 169-80.

Description
William Morris's attempt to produce the ideal book "fails to match form with content." The harmonious presentation of his Kelmscott "Chaucer" disguises the diversity of tales and conceals unresolved problems of text and structure.
The choice and character of Edward Burne-Jones's illustrations (those for KnT are discussed in detail) give a misleading impression of "frozen sanctity."

Alternative Title
Medievalism in England II.
Medievalism in England, no. 2.

Chaucer Subjects
Facsimiles, Editions, and Translations.
Knight and His Tale.