The Works of Gwerful Mechain: A Broadview Anthology of British Literature Edition

Gwerful Mechain is the only Welsh female poet from the late middle ages whose poems have survived as a substantial body of work. One of the most immediately striking characteristics of her poetry is the easy coexistence in her oeuvre of devotional and erotic works. Even to those who may be familiar with the bawdiness of Chaucer or Boccaccio, Gwerful's work is remarkably direct. Yet, as the introduction discusses, some coexistence of the erotic and the religious was not entirely untypical of medieval literary production in Wales; overall, indeed, one of the most important characteristics of Gwerful's work is its position in the mainstream of medieval Welsh poetry. Her themes and techniques do not mark her as a marginal or isolated figure, participating in some putative female sub-culture; on the contrary, she engages in poetic dialogues with her male contemporaries, using the same forms, tropes, and vocabulary as they do, and jousting with them verbally as their equal. At the same time, she often speaks with a female voice, taking her peers to task for their male arrogance. All of Gwerful's known work is included here-as are several poems of uncertain authorship, and a number of other works that help to fill in the historical and literary context. A unique feature of the volume is the provision, for each work of medieval Welsh poetry included, of two different translations. The first, a literal translation, is presented in facing page format opposite the original Welsh; a second, freer translation, with rhyme patterns approximating those of the original, follows. Gwerful Mechain Is The Only Welsh Female Poet From The Late Middle Ages Whose Poems Have Survived As A Substantial Body Of Work. One Of The Most Immediately Striking Characteristics Of Her Poetry Is The Easy Coexistence In Her Oeuvre Of Devotional And Erotic Works. Even To Those Who May Be Familiar With The Bawdiness Of Chaucer Or Boccaccio, Gwerful's Work Is Remarkably Direct. Yet, As The Introduction Discusses, Some Sorts Of Coexistence Of The Erotic And The Religious Were Not Entirely Untypical Of Medieval Literary Production In Wales; Overall, Indeed, One Of The Most Important Characteristics Of Gwerful's Work Is The Degree To Which It Takes Its Place In The Mainstream Of Medieval Welsh Poetry. Her Themes And Techniques Do Not Position Her As A Marginal Or Isolated Figure, Participating In Some Putative Female Sub-culture; On The Contrary, She Engages In Poetic Dialogues With Her Male Contemporaries, Using The Same Forms, Tropes, And Vocabulary As They Do. Yet, She Often Speaks With A Female Voice And Overtly Sees Things From A Woman's Point Of View, Taking Her Peers To Task For Their Male Arrogance. She Jousts With Them Verbally As Their Equal, Confident In Her Own Craft And Opinions. All Of Gwerful's Known Work Is Included Here-as Are Several Poems Of Uncertain Authorship, And A Number Of Other Works That Help To Fill In The Historical And Literary Context. A Unique Feature Of The Volume Is The Provision, For Each Work Of Medieval Welsh Poetry Included, Of Two Different Translations. The First, A Literal Translation, Is Presented In Facing Page Format Opposite The Original Welsh; A Second, Freer Translation, With Rhyme Patterns Approximating Those Of The Original, Follows.-- Edited And Translated By Katie Gramich. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 155-157). Text In Original Welsh And In English Translation. "Gwerful Mechain is the only Welsh female poet from the late middle ages whose poems have survived as a substantial body of work. One of the most immediately striking characteristics of her poetry is the easy coexistence in her oeuvre of devotional and erotic works. Even to those who may be familiar with the bawdiness of Chaucer or Boccaccio, Gwerful's work is remarkably direct. Yet, as the introduction discusses, some sorts of coexistence of the erotic and the religious were not entirely untypical of medieval literary production in Wales; overall, indeed, one of the most important characteristics of Gwerful's work is the degree to which it takes its place in the mainstream of medieval Welsh poetry. Her themes and techniques do not position her as a marginal or isolated figure, participating in some putative female sub-culture; on the contrary, she engages in poetic dialogues with her male contemporaries, using the same forms, tropes, and vocabulary as they do. Yet, she often speaks with a female voice and overtly sees things from a woman's point of view, taking her peers to task for their male arrogance. She jousts with them verbally as their equal, confident in her own craft and opinions. All of Gwerful's known work is included here-as are several poems of uncertain authorship, and a number of other works that help to fill in the historical and literary context. A unique feature of the volume is the provision, for each work of medieval Welsh poetry included, of two different translations. The first, a literal translation, is presented in facing page format opposite the original Welsh; a second, freer translation, with rhyme patterns approximating those of the original, follows."-- Provided by publisher Contents Introduction Poems by Gwerful Mechain 1. Dioddefaint Crist 2. Angau a barn 3. Cywydd y cedor 4. I wragedd eiddigus 5. I Lywelyn ap Gutun 6. I ateb Ieuan Dyfi am gywydd Anni Goch 7. Gwerful Mechain yn holi Dafydd Llwyd 8. Gwerful Mechain yn gofyn i Dafydd Llwyd 9. Ymddiddan rhwng Dafydd Llwyd a GwerfulMechain 10. Dafydd Llwyd yn ateb Gwerful Mechain 11. I’w gwr am ei churo 12. Gwlychu pais 13. Llanc ym min y llwyn 14. I’w morwyn wrth gachu Poems of Uncertain Authorship 15. Ynghylch ei thad 16. Pwy a gâr fwyaf? 17. Gwerful yn ateb Dafydd Llwyd 18. Yr eira 19. Y bedd In Context 20. I Anni Goch 21. Cywydd llateiaeth i Werful Mechain ac i yrru Llywelyn ap Gutun ati yn llatai 22. Ateb i’r cywydd llateiaeth 23. Moliant i Werful Mechain 24. Cywydd i ofyn telyn rawn 25. Cywydd y gal 26. Englyn i’r gal Bibliography