Gestures and Looks in Medieval Narrative (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Literature, Series Number 48)

In medieval society, gestures and speaking looks played an even more important part in public and private exchanges than they do today. Gestures meant more than words, for example, in ceremonies of homage and fealty. In this, the first study of its kind in English, John Burrow examines the role of non-verbal communication in a wide range of narrative texts, including Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, the anonymous Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Malory's Morte D'arthur, the romances of Chrétien de Troyes, the Prose Lancelot, Boccaccio's Il Filostrato, and Dante's Commedia. Burrow argues that since non-verbal signs are in general less subject to change than words, many of the behaviours recorded in these texts, such as pointing and amorous gazing, are familiar in themselves; yet many prove easy to misread, either because they are no longer common, like bowing, or because their use has changed, like winking. In Medieval Society, Gestures And Speaking Looks Played An Even More Important Part In Public And Private Exchanges Than They Do Today. Gestures Meant More Than Words, For Example, In Ceremonies Of Homage And Fealty. In This, The First General Study Of Its Kind In English, John Burrow Examines The Role Of Non-verbal Communication In A Wide Range Of Narrative Texts, Including Chaucer's Troilus And Criseyde, The Anonymous Sir Gawain And The Green Knight, Malory's Morte Darthur, The Romances Of Chretien De Troyes, The Prose Lancelot, Boccaccio's Il Filostrato, And Dante's Commedia. Burrow Argues That Since Non-verbal Signs Are In General Less Subject To Change Than Words, Many Of The Behaviours Recorded In These Texts, Such As Pointing And Amorous Gazing, Are Familiar In Themselves, Yet May Prove Easy To Misread, Either Because They Are No Longer Common, Like Bowing, Or Because Their Use Has Changed, Like Winking.--jacket. Introduction -- Gestures -- Looks -- Two Middle English Narratives -- Dante's Commedia -- Afterword. J.a. Burrow. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 186-195) And Index. Gestures and looks played an even more important role in public and private exchanges of medieval society, than they do today. Gestures meant more than words, for example, in ceremonies of homage and fealty. In this compelling study, medievalist Burrow examines the role of non-verbal communication in a range of narrative texts, including Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, the anonymous Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Malory's Morte D'arthur, the romances of Chrtien de Troyes, the prose Lancelot, Boccaccio's Il Filostrato, and Dante's Commedia. Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Series-title......Page 5 Title......Page 7 Copyright......Page 8 Dedication......Page 9 Contents......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Abbreviations......Page 13 1 Introduction......Page 15 2 Gestures......Page 25 3 Looks......Page 83 CHAPTER 4 Two Middle English narratives......Page 128 5 Dante’s Commedia......Page 170 6 Afterword......Page 194 TEXTS......Page 200 STUDIES......Page 204 Index of names and titles......Page 210 Index of signs......Page 213 Much attention has been paid in recent decades, by social psychologists and others, to non-verbal communication - those forms of bodily behavior, supplementing or replacing speech, by which people convey their thoughts and feelings to each other.