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A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the Renaissance — John Shaqi

A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the RenaissanceJusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules)

History

A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the Renaissance

Name: A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the Renaissance
Author: Jusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules)

Jusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules)

English literature -- History and criticism

II. Political Formation.--The nation coalesces--The
  ties with France and Rome are loosening or breaking--A new
  source of power, Westminster--Formation, importance,
  privileges of Parliament under the Plantagenets--Spirit of
  the Commons--Their Norman bargains--Comparison with France         248

  III. Maritime Power; Wealth and Arts.--Importance
  of the English trade in the fourteenth century--The great
  traders--Their influence on State affairs--The English,
  "rois de la mer"--Taste for travels and adventures.
    Arts--Gold, silver and ivory--Miniatures and
  enamels--Architecture--Paintings and tapestries--Comparative
  comfort of houses--The hall and table--Dresses--The nude--The
  cult for beauty                                                    255


CHAPTER II.

CHAUCER.

  The Poet of the new nation                                         267

  I. Youth of Chaucer.--His London life--London in
  the fourteenth century--Chaucer as a page--His French
  campaigns--Valettus camerae Regis--Esquire--Married
  life--Poetry a la mode--Machault, Deguileville, Froissart,
  Des Champs, &c.--Chaucer's love ditties--The "Roman de la
  Rose"--"Book of the Duchesse"                                      268

  II. Period of the Missions to France and Italy.--The
  functions of an ambassador and messenger--Various
  missions--Chaucer in Italy, 1372-3, 1378-9--Influence of
  Italian art and literature on Chaucer--London again; the
  Custom House; Aldgate--Works of this period--Latin and
  Italian deal--The gods of Olympus, the nude, the
  classics--Imitation of Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio--"Hous
  of Fame"                                                           282

  III. Troilus and Criseyde.--Plot derived from
  Boccaccio but transformed--A novel and a drama--Life and
  variety--Heroism and vulgarity--Troilus, Pandarus,
  Cressida--Scenes of comedy--Attempt at psychological
  analysis--_Nuances_ in Cressida's feelings--Her
  inconstancy--Melancholy and grave ending--Difference
  with Boccaccio and Pierre de Beauveau                              298

  IV. English Period.--Chaucer a member of
  Parliament--Clerk of the king's works--"Canterbury
  Tales"--The meeting at the "Tabard"--Gift of observation--Real
  life, details--Difference with Froissart--Humour,
  sympathy--Part allotted to "lowe men."
    The collections of tales--The "Decameron"--The aim of
  Chaucer and of Boccaccio--Chaucer's variety; speakers and
  listeners--Dialogues--Principal tales--Facetious and coarse
  ones--Plain ones--Fairy tales--Common life--Heroic
  deeds--Grave examples--Sermon.
    The care for truth--Good sense of Chaucer--His language
  and versification--Chaucer and the Anglo-Saxons--Chaucer and
  the French                                                         312

  V. Last Years.--Chaucer, King of Letters--His retreat
  in St. Mary's, Westminster--His death--His fame                    341


CHAPTER III.

THE GROUP OF POETS.

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A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the Renaissance

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