Middle English Literature - A Critical Study of Romances, Religious Lyrics, Piers Plowman

Originally published in 1951 Middle English Literature applies methods of literary evaluation to certain Middle English works. Arguing that previous literary criticism has largely focused on the commentary of their historical, social, philological and religious content, the book suggests that it has led to a thinking that Middle English literature is without artistic value and therefore cannot be compared effectively with later works of the fourteenth and fifteenth century. While traditional analysis has been beneficial to scientific and historical findings, this text seeks to look deeper into the artistic merits of the works and the authors that wrote them, arguing that the authors of these Middle English texts, wrote with the same motivations and experiences of these later authors which in turn informed the artistic basis of these Middle English works. The book looks at Middle English texts through three main areas: the Metrical Romances, the Religious Lyrics and Piers Plowman.

List of contents

1. The Middle English Metrical Romances 2. The Middle English Religious Lyrics 3. ‘The Vision of Piers Plowman’ Index

Summary

Originally published in 1951 Middle English Literature applies methods of artistry in literary evaluation to certain Middle English works and argues that previous literary criticism has been too focused on historical, social, philological and religious content.

Product details

• Authors: George Kane, Kane George
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 28.12.2020
• EAN: 9780367187293
• ISBN: 978-0-367-18729-3
• No. of pages: 268
• Series: Routledge Library Editions: The Medieval World
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; LITERARY CRITICISM / General, CE period up to c 1500, Medieval History, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Literary theory, History and Archaeology, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, Middle English