Tag Archives: Canterbury Tales

Poets Talking Poetry over a Beer

In this R.S. Thomas poem, two poets engage in the never-ending discussion of whether poetry is more craft or inspiration.

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Chaucer’s Miller & the Los Angeles Rams

The LA Rams won the Super Bowl, bringing Chaucer’s Miller to mind.

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Chaucer Was No Sexist or Anti-Semite

In which I agree with a recent article defending Chaucer against charges of sexism and anti-Semitism.

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Trump & Chaucer’s Pardoner, Both Corrupt

Trump’s abuse of the pardon system invites comparisons with the behavior of Chaucer’s Pardoner and Summoner.

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A Literary History of the Insult “Cuck”

“Cuck” has become a favorite insult amongst alt-right types. In today’s post I trace literary references to cuckolds going back to Chaucer.

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With Brexit, UK Betrayed Spirit of Chaucer

Brexit violates everything that Geoffrey Chaucer, Britain’s quintessential poet, stood for.

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The Most Commonly Taught Lit

The Open Syllabus project has come up with a list of the most commonly taught books in college–at least according to syllabi that are available on-line. “The Canterbury Tales” leads the list. Shakespeare, of course, is the most represented author.

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The V-Word: Casting Hillary as Duessa

The rightwing attacks on female sexuality have a long tradition, going back to Pliny the Elder, and include Chaucer, Spenser, and Milton. Expect the tradition to continue if Hillary Clinton is elected president.

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Chaucer’s Squire Meets Tennyson’s May Queen

Love is in the May air. As I look at the College students hand in hand, I think of the men as Chaucerian squires, the women as Tennysonian May queens.

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