This concise companion provides a succinct introduction to Chaucer's major works, the contexts in which he wrote, and to medieval thought more generally. Opens with a general introductory section discussing London life and politics, books and authority, manuscripts and readers. Subsequent sections focus on Chaucer s major works the dream visions, Troilus and Criseyde and The Canterbury Tales. Essays highlight the key religious, political and intellectual contexts for each major work. Also covers important general topics, including: medieval literary genres; dream theory; the Church; gender and sexuality; and reading Chaucer aloud. Designed so that each contextual essay can be read alongside one of Chaucer s major works.

This concise companion provides a succinct introduction to Chaucer's major works, the contexts in which he wrote, and to medieval thought more generally.* Opens with a general introductory section discussing London life and politics, books and authority, manuscripts and readers.* Subsequent sections focus on Chaucer's major works - the dream visions, Troilus and Criseyde and The Canterbury Tales.* Essays highlight the key religious, political and intellectual contexts for each major work.* Also covers important general topics, including: medieval literary genres; dream theory; the Church; gender and sexuality; and reading Chaucer aloud.* Designed so that each contextual essay can be read alongside one of Chaucer's major works.

List of Illustrations viiAcknowledgements viiiNotes on Contributors ixNote on Edition xiiIntroduction 1Part I: Chaucer in Context 111 Politics and London Life 13Marion Turner2 Manuscripts and Audience 34Julia Boffey and A. S. G. Edwards3 Books and Authority 51R. F. YeagerPart II: Dream Visions 694 Dreaming 71Steven F. Kruger5 Courtly Writing 90Barry WindeattPart III: Troilus and Criseyde 1116 Love in Wartime: Troilus and Criseyde as Trojan History 113Andrew Lynch7 Love and the Making of the Self: Troilus and Criseyde 134Corinne Saunders8 Tragedy and Romance in Chaucer's 'Litel Bok' of Troilus and Criseyde 156Norm KlassenPart IV: The Canterbury Tales 1779 Genre in and of the Canterbury Tales 179Judith Ferster10 Morality and Immorality 199Richard Firth Green11 Marriage, Sexuality and the Family 218Neil Cartlidge12 Christianity and the Church 241John C. HirshPart V: The Sound of Chaucer 26113 Reading Chaucer Aloud 263David FullerIndex 285