Prudence and Her Silence: Spenser's Use of Chaucer's 'Melibee'

Author / Editor
Anderson, Judith H.

Title
Prudence and Her Silence: Spenser's Use of Chaucer's 'Melibee'

Published
ELH 62 (1995): 29-46.

Description
Spenser's account of Melibee in "The Faerie Queene" 6 reveals affinities with Chaucer's Mel, as well as significant differences from it.
Both honey-drinkers tend to be complacent, and both suffer.
Spenser's Melibee (whose wife is silent) talks in proverbs but lacks prudence; Chaucer's is married to Prudence, who speaks in proverbs.
Both narrators reflect difficult times, with Sepnser's undergoing personal and literal loss.

Chaucer Subjects
Tale of Melibee.
Chaucer's Influence and Later Allusion.