In Troilus and Criseyde, Chaucer presents decision-making in a variety of ways, including through the relationship between fate, knowledge and freedom of action, ideas that are at the centre of medieval philosophy. Troilus claims to not believe in...

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales in the late 14th Century, featuring several tales loosely linked together that revolve around typical medieval lifestyles with its many modern day parallels. Marriage was a popular theme for debate...

Despite the varying contexts with which they wrote their work, as well as the vastly different tone and content, both Chaucer in ‘The Merchants Tale’ and Webster through ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ explore the theme of forbidden love- or forbidden...

If one was asked to name the epitome of medieval English literature, it is very likely that the answer would be Geoffrey Chaucer. Indeed, this world-wide known poet has played a major role in the development of the English language thanks to his...

Allusions to ancient mythology are sprinkled within all genres of writing. Many authors have built upon the ideas of these well-known tales and adapted them into new crafts of literature. One such author if Geoffrey Chaucer. In nearly all his...

In Complaint to His Purse, Chaucer employs a variety of poetic devices to construct a parody of the traditional medieval romantic lyric. He uses a combination of imagery and strict rhyme to evoke the romantic, while his use of hyperbole, word play...

It is notable that within the medieval period, attitudes towards women were notoriously polarised, particularly within Middle English literature; and thus it is no surprise that when a poet opts to focus upon women within their works, their...

Chaucer’s artful and intentional exclusion of Venus and Aeneas’ complete conversation from “The Aeneid,” using occupatio, gives Chaucer the auctor authority to include divine intervention when it suits his purpose, but not so heavily that the gods...

In The Legend of Good Women, the God of Love predicates his definition of a “good woman” on the actions of surrounding characters rather than the protagonist herself. Being “virtuous” requires no action in these legends. Instead, it insists on a...

When reading Geoffrey Chaucer's The Legend of Good Women, readers will notice that none of these good women are granted satisfying lives or happy endings. Nearly all of them meet tragic, even gruesome, ends––these women are betrayed, abandoned,...

It is notable that within the medieval period, attitudes towards women were notoriously polarised, particularly within Middle English literature; and thus it is no surprise that when a poet opts to focus upon women within their works, their...