Wardship and Raptus in the Physician's Tale

Author / Editor
Kline, Daniel T.

Title
Wardship and Raptus in the Physician's Tale

Published
Joel T. Rosenthal, ed. Essays on Medieval Childhood: Responses to Recent Debates (Donington, Lincolnshire: Shaun Tyas, 2007), pp. 108-23.

Description
Chaucer's additions to his sources in PhyT emphasize the "domestic contours" of the story. PhyT is a critique of the "social efficacy of the patriarchal family." Virginius first fails to protect his daughter and then murders her; he is "no better a governor of his family than Apius is of the region." The court case in PhyT reflects Chaucer's own experiences with court proceedings that involve raptus.

Contributor
Rosenthal, Joel T., ed.

Alternative Title
Essays on Medieval Childhood: Responses to Recent Debates.

Chaucer Subjects
Physician and His Tale
Sources, Analogues, and LIterary Relations
Chaucer's Life.