English Literature of the Middle Ages (Pelican Books)

This new guide covers seven hundred years of English literature. Stephen Coote describes the major figures and works of the period - Beowulf, King Alfred, Chaucer, Langland, Henryson, the Gawain-poet and Malory as well as lesser-known poets. Considerable attention is given to Chaucer and the extensive treatment of 'Troilus and Criseyde' demonstrates the range of concerns that can be brought to a medieval text. Chapters are devoted to alliterative poetry, popular romance, ballad and lyric, medieval drama and Middle English prose, set against a background of the European literary tradition and of medieval circumstances and ways of thought. The discussion of the development of the language from Old English to Middle English show how, through the genius of Chaucer, it took 'its plae beside the great literary vernaculars of Europe'. -- Book cover This New Guide Covers Seven Hundred Years Of English Literature. Stephen Coote Describes The Major Figures And Works Of The Period - Beowulf, King Alfred, Chaucer, Langland, Henryson, The Gawain-poet And Malory As Well As Lesser-known Poets. Considerable Attention Is Given To Chaucer And The Extensive Treatment Of 'troilus And Criseyde' Demonstrates The Range Of Concerns That Can Be Brought To A Medieval Text. Chapters Are Devoted To Alliterative Poetry, Popular Romance, Ballad And Lyric, Medieval Drama And Middle English Prose, Set Against A Background Of The European Literary Tradition And Of Medieval Circumstances And Ways Of Thought.the Discussion Of The Development Of The Language From Old English To Middle English Show How, Through The Genius Of Chaucer, It Took 'its Plae Beside The Great Literary Vernaculars Of Europe'. -- Book Cover. Old English Literature -- Early Middle English And Its Literature -- The Rise Of Middle English -- Geoffrey Chaucer -- Chaucer's Friends And Followers -- Alliterative Poetry -- Popular Romance, Ballad And Lyric -- Medieval Drama -- Middle English Prose. Stephen Coote. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 333-341. Preface and Acknowledgements xiii CHAPTER 1. OLD ENGLISH LITERATURE 1 CHAPTER 2. EARLY MIDDLE ENGLISH AND ITS LITERATURE 22 CHAPTER 3. THE RISE OF MIDDLE ENGLISH 63 CHAPTER 4. GEOFFREY CHAUCER (c. 1340-1400) 70 CHAPTER 5. CHAUCER’S FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS 214 CHAPTER 6. ALLITERATIVE POETRY 230 CHAPTER 7. POPULAR ROMANCE, BALLAD AND LYRIC 278 CHAPTER 8. MEDIEVAL DRAMA 302 CHAPTER 9. MIDDLE ENGLISH PROSE 321 Bibliography 333 Index 343