A Brief Introduction
Me, myself, and Chaucer, apparently.
Welcome, one and all!
Since stepping back into the classroom in August of 2024, I’ve been in a season of firsts and returns. Returning to assigned reading, the mixture of excitement and dread when seeing a Canvas notification, first set of workshops, first round of essays since half a decade ago…you get the picture.
And now, another set of firsts: newsletters and Chaucer.
I’d be remiss if I did not confess that I haven’t had an opportunity to read Chaucer in my scattered academic career. For once, though, I’d say it is a bit of an advantage: I get to approach each tale with a clean, unbiased slate–after recovering from the preconceived notion that I was going to be breezing through the King’s English. Don’t ask me where I got the idea that Chaucer and Shakespeare were next door neighbors or best friends; I honestly don’t know how I bridged that 200ish-year gap between the two.
Despite being a little intimidated, my Substack bio isn’t just because it sounds nice. I’ve done my best to abide by the advice my father passed along to me: never stop learning. So, learn we shall!
With that aforementioned clean slate, something that has stood out to me strongly is the allusions to Greek mythology that are more prominent than I expected. That was one of my fixations as a child (Barbie pairs perfectly with Athena, in case you didn’t know), so I’m definitely invested in both the actual references being used in Chaucer’s work and how he uses them. His first work, The Book of the Duchess, had several Greek illustrations front and center, so right off the bat, I’ve been intrigued. I’m confident this is only the beginning of the Greek salutes, so I’m plenty invested.
If you’re wanting to experience the impressions of a first-time Chaucer read, you’ve come to the right place! Grab your beverage of choice (it will fluctuate between tea and coffee for me, I’m sure) and we’ll dive right in!
This class sounds like a wonderful course through your eyes. I am new to Chaucer as well, and look forward to our delving in to his works. It is interesting that you pointed out Chaucer's references to Greek Mythology, and you have encouraged me to further make note of these references. Truly Middle English is quite the feat that I have yet to accomplish, and I hope that we can all grow more accustomed to it together!
This is such a wonderful way to describe this class and reading Chaucer at a beginner's level. I, too, have not read Chaucer throughout my academic career, so this has already been a challenge to somewhat relearn how to closely read that of Middle English. I also really liked how you brought up the Greek allusions that are scattered throughout Chaucer's writing because mythology is very commonly referenced in different ways within several pieces of his literature.