Canterbury Tales: General Prologue (1 of 4)
Publication Date: July 5, 2010
Chapter: English Literature During The Middle Ages
The Norton reprints Chaucer in the original middle English, barring a few minor spelling changes. Seriously. While there a few words here and there that one could recognize as modern English, most of it is a grab bag of mysterious ancient language. In the Anthology, there's hardly a line of the poem without at least two footnotes or translations. Needless to say, it's rather difficult to read... and I'm not man enough to do it this time. I'm therefore reading a translation of "The Canterbury Tales," and just referring back to the Norton for biographical and other background information.
Lest you think I'm a wuss, let it be known that Chaucer was required reading in the course of getting my English degree, and that -at the time - I did read the original Middle English text. I just didn't enjoy it very much.
Author: Geoffrey Chaucer • Year: c. 1386 • Info: Librarius
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Lit Brick is a comic started by Jodie Troutman in an effort to read the entire Norton Anthology of English Literature. Having eventually succeeded in that goal, it now features comics about all manner of random literature. For more of Jodie's work, visit longtalljodie.com!
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