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This seminar will use Geoffrey Chaucer's writing as an accessible example of southern late Middle English (14th century). Besides looking at Chaucer's grammar, we will also see how cultural influences (from Old Norse, but especially from French and Latin) have left their traces not only in the content of the texts, but also in the (vocabulary of the) language. The dialogue Chaucer used in many passages can give us an insight into interpersonal uses of Middle English (e.g. rudeness). Of course, we will also pay attention to specific literary linguistic uses, such as word play, rhetorical devices and parody. We will be looking at various excerpts from different texts and genres, e.g. the prologue and tales of the Canterbury Tales, the ‘love poem' Parlement of Foules and the scientific / educational Treatise of the Astrolabe (written for his young son). The texts to be used are found in: The Riverside Chaucer, ed. Larry D. Benson et al. (Oxford 1988) [paperback]. |
