The Book of the Duchess and Other Poems Study Guide

The Book of the Duchess and Other Poems Summary

The Book of the Duchess is a poem of the dream-vision genre, presumably composed as an elegy for the death of Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster (the wife of Geoffrey Chaucer's patron, the royal Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt) in 1368 or 1369. The poem was composed sometime in the few years after this event, and it is generally considered to be flattering to both the Duke and the Duchess. It is composed in octosyllabic rhyming couplets, and it runs 1334 lines.

The poet tells of his insomnia. Finally, upon reading Ovid's Metamorphoses, he falls asleep. He tells the story of his dream, which begins with him awakening in a chamber covered with pictures of the Trojan War. The dreamer hears the sound of a horn signaling the start of a hunt, and he…

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Posted By ross k #87285 at Apr 03, 2009 11:57 AM

How does the Narrator feel

At the beginning of the poem, the narrator is of a melancholy condition,He suffers from chronic insomnia , and wonders how he continues to be alive, since nature should not allow any creature to exist so long full of sorrow and without sleep. He says his thoughts are idle, he fails to take notice of his surroundings.

The Book of the Duchess and Other Poems | Answers: 1

Posted By trent d #208597 at Oct 25, 2011 2:17 AM

what devices does Chaucer use to present love with in the book of the duchess?

as in physical devices or yeah?

The Book of the Duchess and Other Poems | Answers: 0