Chaucer's Clerk's Tale: The Griselda Story Received, Rewritten, Illustrated

by Judith Bronfman

Overview

Originally published in 1994. This surveys the origin and development of one of Chaucer’s most problematic characters, Griselda, who through the centuries has challenged the horizon of expectations of many an audience. Starting with Boccaccio’s Decameron and suggesting in turn its precursors in whole or in part, Bronfman goes on to summarize the reigning opinions of Chaucer’s heroine and her situation.

The advance of feminist perspectives on medieval literature had the result that for many the Clerk’s Tale has political overtones where the Walter-Griselda marriage may serve as a metaphor for, among other things, the state or right order. This study looks at the story from a long view, from its sources to the flood of critical interpretations - the creative reception of Chaucer’s story, outlining the many rewritings of Griselda from Chaucer to the twentieth century. A special chapter considers the Griselda story as represented in illustrations as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367357443
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/01/2021
Series:	Routledge Library Editions: Chaucer
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Judith Bronfman

Table of Contents

General Editors’ Foreword. Preface. Introduction 1. The Story Before Chaucer 2. The Marriage Group and the Allegorical Griselda 3. The Clerk’s Tale as Religious Tale and Political Commentary 4. Chaucer’s Tale Rewritten 5. Griselda Illustrated. Conclusion. Appendix: A Most Pleasant Ballad of Patient Grissell

Editorial Reviews

Surveys the history of the Griselda story as it appears in Chaucer's Clerk's Tale, examining Boccacio, Petrarch, and possible folklore sources to trace the story's origins. Summarizes critical viewpoints that have seen the tale alternately as a marital model, allegory, exemplum, religious story, and political story. Provides a survey of about 40 English rewritings of the story, each emphasizing a different meaning. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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