A New View of Chaucer.

Author / Editor
Williams, George.

Title
A New View of Chaucer.

Published
Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1965.

Physical Description
209 pp.

Description
Detects flaws in previous critical approaches to Chaucer and, as an alternative, reads his works as expressions of his "interest in actual persons," especially John of Gaunt and his circle. In this view, BD, Mars, TC, PF, HF, and most portions of CT deal largely with aspects of Gaunt's relations with Katharine Swynford. Thopas is "probably a homosexual" who "represents" Richard II opposed to the giant "Termagaunt," and references to "duk" in KnT and WBT refer "pointedly" to Gaunt, while Ven may pertain to Joan, "wife of the Black Prince." Other plots and poems were inspired by people and events Chaucer knew or heard of.

Chaucer Subjects
Chaucer's Life
Book of the Duchess
Complaint of Mars
Troilus and Criseyde
Parliament of Fowls
House of Fame
Canterbury Tales--General
Tale of Sir Thopas
Knight and His Tale
Wife of Bath and Her Tale
Complaint of Venus