Responses to Ockhamist Theology in the Poetry of the 'Pearl'-Poet, Langland, and Chaucer

Author / Editor
McNamara, John Francis.

Title
Responses to Ockhamist Theology in the Poetry of the 'Pearl'-Poet, Langland, and Chaucer

Published
DAI 29.09 (1969): 3148-49A.

Description
In TC and "several important" tales of CT, Chaucer expresses more "confidence in human nature" than do Langland or the "Pearl"-poet in their works. He indicates the human need for divine Providence and assurance that "God will not use his absolute power to overrule or contradict the covenant with man." In this way, he steers a middle ground between the "extremes of the Ockhamists and the Augustinians" in the late-medieval nominalist-realist debate.

Chaucer Subjects
Troilus and Criseyde
Canterbury Tales--General