Category: Poetry
The conspicuousness of astronomical lore in the poetry of Chaucer is due to its importance in the life of his century. In the mediaeval period, astronomy (or 'astrology,' for the two names were used indifferently to cover the same subject) was one of the vital interests of men...
"'My dere doghter Venus,' quod Saturne, 'My cours, that hath so wyde for to turne, Hath more power that wot any man. . . . . . . . . Now weep namore, I shal doon diligence That...
3. Part 3Many of these references to the rising and setting of the sun might be mentioned, if space permitted, simply for their beauty as poetry. One of the most beautiful is the following:
5. Part 5In the _Man of Lawes Tale_ the effect of the stars at the time of a man's nativity is discussed somewhat at length. The Man of Law predicts the fate of the sultan by saying that...
2. Part 2"Ring out, ye crystal spheres, Once bless our human ears, If ye have power to touch our senses so; And let your silver chime Move in melodious time, And let the base of heaven's...
4. Part 4The relative positions of the different planets in the heavens is suggested by allusions to the different sizes of their spheres and to their different velocities. In the _Compl...
7. Part 7Thus it appears that Chaucer's method of determining the date was incorrect but his calculations in observing the sun's position were quite accurate. For fuller particulars see...
1. Part 1The conspicuousness of astronomical lore in the poetry of Chaucer is due to its importance in the life of his century. In the mediaeval period, astronomy (or 'astrology,' for th...
8. Part 8Professor Lounsbury (_Studies in Chaucer_, ii p. 186 and pp. 396-7) has difficulty in explaining why Chaucer makes the Wife of Bath attribute these moral maxims to Ptolemy. He i...