Thank you for this John. I don't think I could attempt this reading without you. The social order is interesting - the knight and entourage and then the three religious people next. Whereas the most virtuous religious person, the parson, appears down the list... But then he receives the distinction of getting the final word in the tales.
Interesting - the early (and final) appearance of birds marking a free space for play. It reminded me of the appearance of a lark in the first few lines of both 'Mrs Dalloway' and 'To the Lighthouse' (I happen to be rereading TTL at the moment). And in Mrs Dalloway, it is used in the playful sense - 'what a lark!'
Although it's slow going for me, I am enjoying reading the Middle English. So many fantastic words. 'Saucefleem' for 'pimply'. Hilarious and evocative. I feel a feeling of saucefleem whelkes crawling all over me as I read the word!
It's been so long since I read TTL--will have to revisit. (I teach A Room of One's Own regularly in my literary criticism course.)
I think you'll find that you will pick up speed with the Middle English if you keep at it, and, as you say, it's so worth it for Chaucer's amazing original language, which no translation can replicate.
So far I have experienced Chaucer + Machaut, but I haven't yet experienced Chaucer + Machaut + Soul Caffeine. Must happen soon.
It is so helpful reading these posts. I see things that we discussed in class, and that second exposure helps me lock in the significant points and understand them better the second time round. Thank you Dr. Halbrooks!
I absolutely love that birdsong is the first vocalization in the Tales— thank you for drawing attention to it. Can you recommend a good recitation of the prologue online? I’m sure there are many but I wouldn’t be able to judge their accuracy.
The book that John recommended - The Norton Chaucer - has an ebook purchase option which includes recordings. I did a little poking around and The Norton recordings are superior. :) https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393603477
Thank you for this John. I don't think I could attempt this reading without you. The social order is interesting - the knight and entourage and then the three religious people next. Whereas the most virtuous religious person, the parson, appears down the list... But then he receives the distinction of getting the final word in the tales.
Interesting - the early (and final) appearance of birds marking a free space for play. It reminded me of the appearance of a lark in the first few lines of both 'Mrs Dalloway' and 'To the Lighthouse' (I happen to be rereading TTL at the moment). And in Mrs Dalloway, it is used in the playful sense - 'what a lark!'
Although it's slow going for me, I am enjoying reading the Middle English. So many fantastic words. 'Saucefleem' for 'pimply'. Hilarious and evocative. I feel a feeling of saucefleem whelkes crawling all over me as I read the word!
It's been so long since I read TTL--will have to revisit. (I teach A Room of One's Own regularly in my literary criticism course.)
I think you'll find that you will pick up speed with the Middle English if you keep at it, and, as you say, it's so worth it for Chaucer's amazing original language, which no translation can replicate.
I shall now sit down and memorize the first 18 lines of The General Prolouge. Thank you John!
So far I have experienced Chaucer + Machaut, but I haven't yet experienced Chaucer + Machaut + Soul Caffeine. Must happen soon.
It is so helpful reading these posts. I see things that we discussed in class, and that second exposure helps me lock in the significant points and understand them better the second time round. Thank you Dr. Halbrooks!
I am enjoying the medieval music. Thank you!
I absolutely love that birdsong is the first vocalization in the Tales— thank you for drawing attention to it. Can you recommend a good recitation of the prologue online? I’m sure there are many but I wouldn’t be able to judge their accuracy.
The book that John recommended - The Norton Chaucer - has an ebook purchase option which includes recordings. I did a little poking around and The Norton recordings are superior. :) https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393603477