Chaucer's Lucretia and What Augustine Really Said about Rape: Two Reconsiderations.

Description: Argues that Chaucer's claim in LGW that St. Augustine "hath gret compassioun / Of this Lucresse" is neither ironic nor misinformed, but is an accurate account of Augustine's position. Situating Augustine's comments about Lucretia within the broader context of discussions of sin and rape in "City of God," demonstrates that Augustine sympathizes with Lucretia rather than condemning her suicide. Contends that critics have misread Augustine and thus misunderstood Chaucer's statement about Augustine's compassion. Also suggests that Chaucer likely read "City of God" directly rather than through medieval summaries.

Chaucer Subjects: Legend of Good Women
Sources, Analogues, and Literary Relations