Chaucer and the Making of Optical SpaceThe author links Chaucer's writings with the medieval optical tradition in its various forms (scholastic texts, encyclopedias, exempla, vernacular poetry) both in general cultural terms and through the discussion of specific examples. He shows how the science of optics, or perspectiva, provides an account of spatial perception, including visual error, and demonstrates how these aspects of optical theory impact on Chaucer's poetry. He provides detailed and sustained analysis of the spatial content of narratives across the range of Chaucer's works, relating them to optical ideas and making use of Lefebvre's theory of the production of space. The texts discussed include the Book of the Duchess, House of Fame, Knight's Tale, Miller's Tale, Reeve's Tale, Merchant's Tale, Squire's Tale and Troilus and Criseyde. |
Contents
Illustrations | 7 |
Introduction | 13 |
Prospect | 23 |
The Making of Optical Space | 41 |
Encyclopedias and Sermons | 75 |
Chaucer and Perspectiva | 111 |
Literary Models | 143 |
The Book of the Duchess | 177 |
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Common terms and phrases
according Alhacen Alisoun appearance aware Bacon becomes body cause chapter Chaucer colour complex connections context Criseyde cultural Dante describes developed direct discussed distance dream effect emotional error example existence experience expression extent figure follows further gaze Grosseteste human Ibid ideas identity images imagination important indicates individual influence interest interpretation John kind knights knowledge less light Lindberg lines looks material means Medieval mirror moral narrative narrator nature Nicholas object once optical Oxford Pandarus perceived perception perspectiva physical poem political position prison produced provides rays reflection relation represented scientific seen sense sight Smith social space spatial species spiritual studies suggest symbolic takes Tale texts theory Theseus things tradition trans Troilus Troy turn University visible vision visual writings