Geoffrey Chaucer in Context (Literature in Context)

Cambridge University Press, 3/25/2021
EAN 9781009010603, ISBN10: 1009010603

Paperback, 498 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.9 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English

Geoffrey Chaucer is widely acknowledged as the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages. His texts are studied extensively but, in order to be fully appreciated, they demand a nuanced understanding of the medieval period. This volume provides freshly illuminated access to Chaucer's writing through an unrivalled repertoire of contextual information and perspectives designed to enhance the independence and critical capacities of his modern readers. The featured essays are written not only by distinguished literary scholars but also by leading international historians. Geoffrey Chaucer in Context is an essential reference tool for anyone studying Chaucer and will help readers to identify his different voices and engage with the complexity and colour of his times with new awareness.

Introduction
contextualising contexts of Chaucer Ian Johnson
Part I. Chaucer as Context
1. What was Chaucer like? J. A. Burrow
2. Chaucer's life and literary 'profession' Andrew Galloway
Part II. Books, Discourse and Traditions
3. Chaucer's linguistic invention Jeremy J. Smith
4. Chaucer and London English Jeremy J. Smith
5. Manuscripts and manuscript culture Rhiannon Purdie
6. Chaucer's books Wendy Scase
7. Authority Mishtooni Bose
8. Literary theory and literary roles Ian Johnson
9. Metre and versification Ad Putter
10. Dialogue Sarah James
11. Romance Stephen H. A. Shepherd
12. Love Corinne Saunders
13. Chaucer and the classics Vincent Gillespie
14. The French context Stephanie Kamath
15. The Italian tradition K. P. Clarke
16. The English context Marion Turner
17. Chaucer's competitors Wendy Scase
18. Boethius Tim William Machan
Part III. Humans, the World and Beyond
19. Chaucer's God Ryan Perry
20. Holiness Marlene Villalobos Hennessy
21. Secularity Alastair Minnis
22. The self Valerie Allen
23. Women Rosalynn Voaden
24. Sex and lust Bruce Holsinger
25. Animals in Chaucer Gillian Rudd
Part IV. Culture, Learning and Disciplines
26. Childhood and education Nicholas Orme
27. Philosophy Stephen Penn
28. The medieval universe Seb Falk
29. Medicine and the mortal body Samantha Katz Seal
30. The law Richard W. Ireland
31. Art Julian Luxford
32. Architecture Richard Fawcett
33. Heraldry, heralds and Chaucer Katie Stevenson
Part V. Political and Social Contexts
34. Dissent and orthodoxy John H. Arnold
35. The Church, religion and culture Rob Lutton
36. England at home and abroad Anne Curry
37. Chaucer's borders Anthony Bale
38. Rank and social orders Chris Given-Wilson
39. Chivalry Craig Taylor
40. Chaucer and the polity Gwylim Dodd
41. The economy Christopher Dyer
42. Towns, villages and the land Mark Bailey
43. London's Chaucer
A psychogeography John J. Thompson
44. Everyday life Wendy Childs
45. Household and home Peter Fleming
46. Marriage Sally Dixon-Smith
47. Dress Laura F. Hodges
Part VI. Chaucer Traditions
48. The first Chaucerians
reception in the 1400s Robert J. Meyer-Lee
49. The reception of Chaucer in the Renaissance Alex Davis
50. The Reception of Chaucer from Dryden to Wordsworth Bruce E. Graver
51. The reception of Chaucer from the Victorians to the twenty-first century David Matthews
52. Cyber-Chaucer Stephen Kelly.