Fragments: Past and Present in Chaucer and GowerThis book examines the ways in which Geoffrey Chaucer and John Gower appropriated their sources, paying particular attention to the theories of history and political agendas informing these appropriations. The study offers comparative readings of Chaucer's and Gower's works, framed by a concern with twentieth-century theories that explore the limits of historicist and deconstructive readings of late medieval texts. Starting with Gower's Vox Clamantis, the chapters offer largely chronological readings of texts such as Chaucer's dream visions, Troilus and Criseyde, the Tale of Melibee and the Physician's Tale, and a selection of tales from Gower's Confessio Amantis. The querying historicism pursued in these readings offers a new way of considering late medieval literature, focusing on close-reading and a dialogue between medieval and post-medieval cultural discourses. |
Common terms and phrases
Ages already Apius appropriate argue attempt audience authoritative authority awareness become birds body Book Cambridge chapter Chaucer and Gower close concern Confessio Confessio Amantis contemporary context corruption course criticism cultural discourse discussion dream early effectively element England English example fact focus frame future Genius hand highlight historiography House of Fame human illustrates important interpretive John Gower king kingship knowledge later Latin lines literary Literature London material meaning medieval Melibee Middle narrative narrator nature offer opening original Oxford Parliament passage past Physician's Tale poem poet poetics poetry political position practice present question reader reading rebels reference relation Ricardian Richard Rising of 1381 seen significant social society sources story Strohm tale texts theory throughout tradition treatment Trojan Troy understanding University Press Virginia voice whole writings