Book Description
/* LB739, 0-582-49299-8, Mehl, Dieter, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer*/ English Literature in the Age of Chaucer presents a thorough survey of one of the most exciting and creative periods in English literature, centering around its most original and influential literary representative, Geoffrey Chaucer. In addition to detailed and sensitive treatment of Chaucer's major works, the book includes chapters on his chief contemporaries, such as John Gower, William Langland and the Gawain-poet. It also examines the often underrated contribution to the English literary tradition of his successors John Lydgate and Thomas Hoccleve, as well as the interesting and original work of the Scottish poets, Robert Henryson, William Dunbar and Gavin Douglas, who also claim Chaucer as their model. Apart from the narrative poetry of Chaucer and his followers, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer also contains chapters on the Middle English lyric; Middle English prose, including Mandeville's travels; the most original and imaginative writings of the Middle English mystics, in particular Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe; and Thomas Malory's impressive prose compilation of Arthurian stories. Written in an engaging and accessible manner, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer serves as both a lucid introduction to Middle English literature and as a stimulating examination of the themes, traditions and the literary achievement of a number of particulary original and interesting authors. For readers interested in early English literature.

From the Back Cover
/* LB739, 0-582-49299-8, Mehl, Dieter, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer*/ English Literature in the Age of Chaucer presents a thorough survey of one of the most exciting and creative periods in English literature, centering around its most original and influential literary representative, Geoffrey Chaucer. In addition to detailed and sensitive treatment of Chaucer's major works, the book includes chapters on his chief contemporaries, such as John Gower, William Langland and the Gawain-poet. It also examines the often underrated contribution to the English literary tradition of his successors John Lydgate and Thomas Hoccleve, as well as the interesting and original work of the Scottish poets, Robert Henryson, William Dunbar and Gavin Douglas, who also claim Chaucer as their model. Apart from the narrative poetry of Chaucer and his followers, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer also contains chapters on the Middle English lyric; Middle English prose, including Mandeville's travels; the most original and imaginative writings of the Middle English mystics, in particular Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe; and Thomas Malory's impressive prose compilation of Arthurian stories. Written in an engaging and accessible manner, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer serves as both a lucid introduction to Middle English literature and as a stimulating examination of the themes, traditions and the literary achievement of a number of particulary original and interesting authors. For readers interested in early English literature.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

/* LB739, 0-582-49299-8, Mehl, Dieter, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer*/ English Literature in the Age of Chaucer presents a thorough survey of one of the most exciting and creative periods in English literature, centering around its most original and influential literary representative, Geoffrey Chaucer. In addition to detailed and sensitive treatment of Chaucer's major works, the book includes chapters on his chief contemporaries, such as John Gower, William Langland and the Gawain-poet. It also examines the often underrated contribution to the English literary tradition of his successors John Lydgate and Thomas Hoccleve, as well as the interesting and original work of the Scottish poets, Robert Henryson, William Dunbar and Gavin Douglas, who also claim Chaucer as their model. Apart from the narrative poetry of Chaucer and his followers, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer also contains chapters on the Middle English lyric; Middle English prose, including Mandeville's travels; the most original and imaginative writings of the Middle English mystics, in particular Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe; and Thomas Malory's impressive prose compilation of Arthurian stories. Written in an engaging and accessible manner, English Literature in the Age of Chaucer serves as both a lucid introduction to Middle English literature and as a stimulating examination of the themes, traditions and the literary achievement of a number of particulary original and interesting authors. For readers interested in early English literature.

SYNOPSIS

Mehl (emeritus, English, U. of Bonn) presents a survey of English literature of the 14th and 15th centuries, placing it in socio- historical context and focusing on the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer. Following a discussion of Chaucer's major works are chapters on his contemporaries such as the Gawain poet and John Gower as well as Chaucer's successors, including John Lydgate. Other chapters cover the writings of Thomas Malory, Margery Kempe, and Scottish poet Gavin Douglas.