Geoffrey Chaucer, The Man of Law’s Tale

Olivia Colquitt (Heinrich Heine Universität)

Ed. by Sarah Peverley, University of Liverpool
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.02: English Writing and Culture: High and Late Medieval, 1066-1485.
Vol. editors: Kate Ash-Irisarri (University of Edinburgh), Rory Critten (Université de Lausanne), David Fuller (University of Durham), Natalie Hanna (University of Liverpool), Hugh Magennis (Queen's University Belfast), Jamie McKinstry (University of Durham), Sarah Peverley (University of Liverpool), Sebastian Sobecki (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)

Dates

First circulation or publication c. 1387

Places

England (Country of Origin; Publication/ performance)

Genres and Modes

Poetry (any)

Resources

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Introduction

The story of the virtuous lady, falsely accused and put out to sea, was well-known to medieval audiences, with versions surviving in not only European languages but also Arabic and Persian (Schlauch 1927). While belonging to a widespread tradition, however, the Man of Law’s Tale has come to be known for its peculiarities and perplexities just as much as, if not more than, its relationships to other narratives. Blurring genres, subverting the expectations set by its narrator, and occupying what some see as a contentious place in the Canterbury Tales, this is a text perpetually open to new critical interpretations.

The story of the virtuous lady, falsely accused and put out to sea, was well-known to medieval audiences, with versions surviving in not only European languages but…

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4471 words

Citation: Colquitt, Olivia. "The Man of Law’s Tale". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 January 2025 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=39398, accessed 18 January 2025.]

Geoffrey Chaucer, The Man of Law’s Tale

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