Robert P. Miller (1)

This volume may be a demonstration that you can't judge a book by its subtitle.

The cover blurb for this book declares that it provides "one of the most comprehensive collections of primary source material available for the study of Chaucer's works." This is true in a way, but I come away feeling as if the material is incomplete.

Some sources are admirably covered. Of theological materials, such as the writings of Augustine, there is a sufficiency. Classical sources such as Ovid have their show more place as well. Boccaccio, whose ideas were a key inspiration for the Canterbury Tales, is well represented. And there are good texts on medieval literary theory.

But these aren't SOURCES, these are INSPIRATIONS. The source of the Wife of Bath's tale, for instance, is the Gawain legend. The Book of the Duchess is about the Duchess of Lancaster. A source for the former would be the Romance of Gawain and Dame Ragnall; for the latter, perhaps we could use citations from contemporary chronicles. Of these materials we have almost nothing.

Perhaps the request is unfair, but I really wanted a book of sources -- and this isn't it. If you want a book containing a lot of information about the ideas that were "in the air" when Chaucer wrote, this book may well be for you. show less