This revised edition is based on the first edition which has become a classic in Chaucer studies. Important material has been updated in the text, and its contributions cover recent trends in literary theory as well as in studies of Chaucer's works. The bibliography has been completely revised to provide an indispensable guide for today's student of Chaucer.
Fourteenth-century author, poet, and civil servant Geoffrey Chaucer has delighted readers through the ages with his colorful tales filled with humanity, grace, and strength. He is best known for "The Canterbury Tales", a vibrant account of life in England during his own day. This volume from the new "Bloom's Classic Critical Views" series offers students essays from the 14th to the early 20th centuries that present a historical look at Chaucer's abiding literary influence.
The physician's tale (canterbury tales) This is a domestic drama about the relationship between a daughter and her father and it is one of the earliest extant poems in English about such subjects and relationships. The tale comes from the Histories of Titus Livius and is retold in The Romance of the Rose, John Gower's Confessio Amantis which Chaucer drew on for inspiration along with the biblical story of Jephtha. Most of the other versions of the story focused on the cruel and arbitrary officials but Chaucer was far more concerned with the daughter as the central figure.
Man of law's tale (canterbury tales ) The Man of Law's Tale (also called The Lawyer's Tale) is the fifth of the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. The prologue to the Wife of Bath’s tale is actually longer than her tale.Chaucer uses it to justify the five marriages that the Wife of Bath entered into.The clear suggestion is that what women most desire is to have complete control over their husbands.There are also additional comments concerning the chastity of women. It was widely thought in Medieval England that a life of chastity would bring the person closer to God.
"The Franklin's Tale" (Middle English: The Frankeleyns Tale) is one of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. It focuses on issues of providence, truth, generosity and gentillesse in human relationships.
Chaucer now seems to provide a mid course between what the Wife of Bath advocated, where a woman has complete sovereignty over a man, and the Clerk’s Tale where a woman should be completely subservient. Unlike these two tales, the Franklin’s Tale has a thread of nobility running through it and all the characters portrayed.
