Geoffrey Chaucer And The Poetics Of Disguise

This work considers virtually all of Geoffrey Chaucer's writings as disguised reflections of matters personal and political. Chaucer wrote in a particularly crucial time of political change in England. He was in a unique position to see and hear more than he dared to express. He developed a 'poetics of disguise' to express his increasingly critical views of British royalty without seeming to criticize or dissent. He utilized the voices of women, pagans, personified abstractions, and birds to create a debate about the social and political issues of the day. New readings of his major works including his short poems are included in this unique analysis.

Esther Casier Quinn is Professor Emerita at Hunter College, City University of New York.