Chaucer and Rhetoric

Author / Editor
Copeland, Rita.

Title
Chaucer and Rhetoric

Published
Seth Lerer, ed. The Yale Companion to Chaucer (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2006), pp. 122-43.

Description
Copeland outlines the classical-medieval tradition of rhetoric and its relationships with history, philosophy, and literary style. Considers the Pardoner as an embodiment of rhetoric and its potential for abuse; the Wife of Bath as rhetorical excess and rhetorical competence; TC as an exploration of narrative in relation to history; Mel as an application of rhetorical appropriateness (kairos); and NPT as an "essay in the theory of form" and a "rhetoric laboratory."

Alternative Title
The Yale Companion to Chaucer.

Chaucer Subjects
Style and Versification.
Pardoner and His Tale.
Wife of Bath and Her Tale.
Troilus and Criseyde.
Tale of Melibee.
Nun's Priest and His Tale.