Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 3525
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Hanrahan , Michael.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: Seduction and Betrayal: Treason in the "Prologue" to the "Legend of Good Women" [false lovers who seduce and betray echo the treason of Richard II's favorites].
  • Source: Chaucer Review 30, 3 ( 1996): Pages 229 - 240.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Journal Article
  • Subject (See Also): Chaucer, Geoffrey, Poet- Legend of Good Women- Prologue Homosexuality Kings Literature- Verse Politics Richard II, King of England Treason
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: British Isles
  • Century: 14
  • Primary Evidence:
  • Illustrations:
  • Table:
  • Abstract: In the prologue to the "Legend of Good Women" Chaucer addresses the issue of treason or betrayal in love. His treatment, however, differs from the standard treatment of this topic since it is informed by the charges of the Lords Appelant that Richard was being mislead by his treasonous council. Chaucer demonstrates a similar concern in the "Nun's Priest's Tale." In the "Legend of Good Women" Alceste accuses the narrator of treason not by heretical deeds, but by writings. The definition of treason Alceste ultimately presents "opposes any sectarian determination of the crime" (239) [Reproduced by permission of Peter G. Beidler and Martha A Kalnin Diede, editors of "The Chaucer Review: An Indexed Bibliography."].
  • Related Resources:
  • Author's Affiliation: Indiana University
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 1996.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 00092002