Reading Texts (3)

The Source of Chaucer’s Anelida and Arcite

Edgar F. Shannon

PMLA, Vol.27, No.4 (1912)

pp.461-685

Published by: Modern Language Association

While it is undoubtedly a fascinating essay, the topic is not as helpful as I had hoped. The essay centres around an unfinished Chaucer poem which is set in “the court of Theseus” but I don’t believe it concerns the one discussed in The Knight’s Tale, so is therefore not helpful in my research of TTNK. This in itself is a shame; Shannon writes with an engaging conviction and is very quotable, but it simply doesn’t lend.

Did Boccaccio Suggest the Character of Chaucer’s Knight?

Frank E; Bryant

Modern Language Notes, Vol. 17, No.8 (December 1902) 

pp.235-236

Published by: The Johns Hopkins University Press

A fascinating and brief linking of Boccaccio’s Teseide and The Knight’s Tale of Chaucer’s creation, but not one which is relevant to my essay, as it does not concern TTNK closely enough.

The Trolius-Cressida Story from Chaucer to Shakespeare

Hyder E. Rollins

PMLA, Vol. 32, No.3 (1917) 

pp.385-429

Published by: Modern Language Association

An interesting read in regards of a controversial Shakespeare play (of which TTNK couldn’t dream of possessing such infamy) but not one which is particularly helpful for my essay, as any reference to this would be particularly strained and forced.

Chaucer’s “Opie of Thebes Fyn”

Oliver Farrar Emerson

Modern Philology, Vol. 17, No.5 (September 1919) 

pp.287-291

Published by: The University of Chicago Press

While a very fascinating read into Chaucer’s possible medicinal knowledge regarding opium, it is almost entirely irrelevant to the essay at hand. Furthermore, there are several quoted sections which remain untranslated, which does not anoint them as entirely helpful. While he references quotes from both Boccaccio’s Teseide and Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale, there is (rightfully, as it would be considered irrelevant in that context) no reference to the play. It is interesting to note that (from my memory of the play) there isn’t any reference to sleeping potions being used to bypass the Jailer; the Jailer’s Daughter is the one who helps Palamon escape.