Bloom's How To Write About Geoffrey Chaucer

B L O O M’ S HOW TO WRITE ABOUT Geoffrey Chaucer m iC H e l l e m . s Au e r introduction by H A rold bloom Bloom’s How to Write about Geoffrey Chaucer Copyright © 2010 by Infobase Publishing Introduction © 2010 by Harold Bloom All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information contact: Bloom’s Literary Criticism An imprint of Infobase Publishing 132 West 31st Street New York NY 10001 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Sauer, Michelle M., 1972– Bloom’s how to write about Geoffrey Chaucer / by Michelle M. Sauer ; introduction by Harold Bloom. p. cm. — (Bloom’s how to write about literature) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-60413-330-1 (hardcover: acid-free paper)   ISBN 978-1-43812-869-6 (e-bbok) 1. Chaucer, Geoffrey, d. 1400—Criticism and interpretation. 2. Criticism— Authorship. 3. Report writing. I. Bloom, Harold. II. Title. III. Series. PR1924.S28 2010 821'.1—dc22 2009018852 Bloom’s Literary Criticism books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quantities for businesses, associations, institutions, or sales promotions. Please call our Special Sales Department in New York at (212) 967-8800 or (800) 322-8755. You can find Bloom’s Literary Criticism on the World Wide Web at http://www. chelseahouse.com Text design by Annie O’Donnell Cover design by Ben Peterson Printed in the United States of America MP MSRF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper. Contents Acknowledgments iv Series Introduction v Volume Introduction How to Write a Good Essay vii 1 How to Write about Geoffrey Chaucer 47 The Canterbury Tales: Overview and the General Prologue 61 The Knight’s Tale 78 The Miller’s Tale 90 The Reeve’s Tale 105 The Wife of Bath’s Tale 118 The Clerk’s Tale 133 The Franklin’s Tale 146 The Pardoner’s Tale 160 The Prioress’s Tale 171 The Nun’s Priest’s Tale 185 Troilus and Criseyde 196 The Complaints 209 Index 225 Acknowledgments A book is never completed without the backing of many colleagues, friends, and family members. First, I must extend my appreciation to my husband, Adam Bures, for his usual unflagging support as well as his editing assistance. Second, my sincere thanks to Michele Kozloski and Christopher Lozensky for their invaluable aid with the bibliographies. A special nod to Bethany Brevik, Jason R. Miller, and Timothy Gebhardt for creative inspiration. Finally, my most avid appreciation for my editor, Doug Sanders, for his patience and understanding throughout this process. iv Series Introduction B loom’s How to Write about Literature series is designed to inspire students to write fine essays on great writers and their works. Each volume in the series begins with an introduction by Harold Bloom, meditating on the challenges and rewards of writing about the volume’s s