"The Clerk's Tale" is one of the most important tales among Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The Clerk speaks to us as the representative from the academy, specifically he is an academic from 'Oxenford' (Oxford). He is the philosopher's voice in Chaucer. We have already heard the numerous charges brought against intellectuals by various tradesmen (like the … Continue reading The Scholar’s Desire for Power: A Reading of The Clerk’s Tale
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Jonathan Swift and the Idea of Satire
The term "satire" comes down to us from the Classical Greek word for "satyr drama." The best example of a surviving satyr play from is Euripides's Cyclops, and though we moderns have a limited perspective on these tetralogical comedies, we believe they originated from Dionysian drunken revelries, and that they once concluded a series of … Continue reading Jonathan Swift and the Idea of Satire
Aristotelian Mimesis: The Conflict Between the Friar and the Summoner
In the "General Prologue," Chaucer describes the Summoner. He has a 'fire-red face cherubim's face' that is pimpled and disfigured. He is a lecherous man whose hair is falling out, and the mere sight of him brings fear into the hearts of children. He is a drinker of strong wines, and he is a bit … Continue reading Aristotelian Mimesis: The Conflict Between the Friar and the Summoner
Intentionality in The Friar’s Tale
In his prologue, the Friar is called a "beggar" with a "scowling face at the Summoner." In the "General Prologue" the Friar is characterized as a "wantowne" and "merye" man who dwells within an assigned region. He has a white neck like a 'lily flower,' and he knows great dalliance and fair speech. He is … Continue reading Intentionality in The Friar’s Tale
The Wife of Bath’s Tale: Autobiography and Arthurian Parody
The Wife of Bath is the most famous, albeit the most troubling character in Chaucerian literature. As with other speakers in The Canterbury Tales, we are only given her title at the outset, the "Wife of Bath." Later we learn her name is Alysoun, or she sometimes goes by "Aly" (recall that she shares a … Continue reading The Wife of Bath’s Tale: Autobiography and Arthurian Parody
Thoughts on Years of Grace
I am thoroughly enjoying reading through the Pulitzer-Prize winners. Years of Grace is a delightful novel. It is a surprisingly whimsical and light read for a 600-page book, yet it is sorely lacking in substance. Margaret Ayer Barnes spends a great deal of time describing the world of little Jane Ward; the books she reads, … Continue reading Thoughts on Years of Grace
