I love how you pointed out the connection of the visit to Athena's temple! With such a brilliant mind that Chaucer had, I definitely think that every detail, no matter how seemingly inconsequential, is massively important to the overall plot. These small details would also be so significant to Chaucer's contemporary audience, as they would have had a better knowledge of those stories than modern readers do. I love how Chaucer focuses in on retelling , modifying, or simply incorporating so many Greek myths into his writings; those stories are so good, they deserve to be told again and again, even into modern retellings such as Percy Jackson.
This is a really interesting take! I agree with you when you said that Chaucer doesn't just include things for fun; everything has a meaning. I think Criseyde is definitely going to be an interesting character to look out for during the next few readings. I like how your knowledge of Greek mythology helps you look deeper into the texts meaning. I know very little about that subject, so it is interesting to hear it from your point of view. I also would like to mention the similarities between love in this piece versus others, like the Knight's Tale. The way in which Chaucer differentiates love in all of his poems seems quite significant.
I love that you made the connection to Odysseus! I am currently reading The Odyssey for "The Hero's Journey" course right now, and I couldn't help to be reminded of him as well. Although you said you do not think Criseyde is a battle strategist in disguise, I am interested to see if the motif of "disguises" comes into Chaucer's work, as this is extremely prevalent with Athene in The Odyssey.
I always enjoy the small details that Chaucer drops throughout his poetry. The input of visiting Athena’s temple by Criseyde and hinting at her having a bright mind is remarkable. She may not have a mind made for battle strategies but she has the ability and state of mind.
I appreciate that you noted the small detail of how the narrator invokes Tisiphone as his muse because that was something that stood out to me despite being minor. Often the speakers of epic poetry like this may call upon the Muses, one or all of them, and I've known of some examples where the poet may call upon a god/goddess appropriate for the subject matter of the piece to act as a stand in for a Muse, but this is the first example I've seen where something like Tisiphone, a creature of the Underworld, acts as the muse to provide inspiration for the work. But I think that fits since the poem is a tragedy, so a being like Tisiphone with experience in suffering would be an appropriate thing to ask for help.
Oooh I'm so glad to have this knowledge about Criseyde/Odysseus/Athena early on in my reading of Troilus and Criseyde! A conniving widow, and a love-struck soldier getting a taste of his own medicine...it definitely has the makings to live up to the sorrowful tone you draw out in the Prologue! I really enjoyed reading this.
I agree that from what we have read of Chaucer so far, no detail is included without purpose. As a first time reader of this story, I am unsure of what the significance of Athena's presence in the story could be; but if something involving "wisdom" or essentially Greek cunningness should occur, this would definitely color the indications that we would see in hindsight. Of course, you do point out that this could just be routine with the line conveying how everyone comes "for the seson and the feeste". Regardless, this is an interesting connection, and I hope it leads to something later in our reading.
I love how you pointed out the connection of the visit to Athena's temple! With such a brilliant mind that Chaucer had, I definitely think that every detail, no matter how seemingly inconsequential, is massively important to the overall plot. These small details would also be so significant to Chaucer's contemporary audience, as they would have had a better knowledge of those stories than modern readers do. I love how Chaucer focuses in on retelling , modifying, or simply incorporating so many Greek myths into his writings; those stories are so good, they deserve to be told again and again, even into modern retellings such as Percy Jackson.
This is a really interesting take! I agree with you when you said that Chaucer doesn't just include things for fun; everything has a meaning. I think Criseyde is definitely going to be an interesting character to look out for during the next few readings. I like how your knowledge of Greek mythology helps you look deeper into the texts meaning. I know very little about that subject, so it is interesting to hear it from your point of view. I also would like to mention the similarities between love in this piece versus others, like the Knight's Tale. The way in which Chaucer differentiates love in all of his poems seems quite significant.
I love that you made the connection to Odysseus! I am currently reading The Odyssey for "The Hero's Journey" course right now, and I couldn't help to be reminded of him as well. Although you said you do not think Criseyde is a battle strategist in disguise, I am interested to see if the motif of "disguises" comes into Chaucer's work, as this is extremely prevalent with Athene in The Odyssey.
My eyes are already peeled for any kind of owl! I hope Criseyde has some spark in her like Odysseus.
I always enjoy the small details that Chaucer drops throughout his poetry. The input of visiting Athena’s temple by Criseyde and hinting at her having a bright mind is remarkable. She may not have a mind made for battle strategies but she has the ability and state of mind.
I appreciate that you noted the small detail of how the narrator invokes Tisiphone as his muse because that was something that stood out to me despite being minor. Often the speakers of epic poetry like this may call upon the Muses, one or all of them, and I've known of some examples where the poet may call upon a god/goddess appropriate for the subject matter of the piece to act as a stand in for a Muse, but this is the first example I've seen where something like Tisiphone, a creature of the Underworld, acts as the muse to provide inspiration for the work. But I think that fits since the poem is a tragedy, so a being like Tisiphone with experience in suffering would be an appropriate thing to ask for help.
Oooh I'm so glad to have this knowledge about Criseyde/Odysseus/Athena early on in my reading of Troilus and Criseyde! A conniving widow, and a love-struck soldier getting a taste of his own medicine...it definitely has the makings to live up to the sorrowful tone you draw out in the Prologue! I really enjoyed reading this.
I agree that from what we have read of Chaucer so far, no detail is included without purpose. As a first time reader of this story, I am unsure of what the significance of Athena's presence in the story could be; but if something involving "wisdom" or essentially Greek cunningness should occur, this would definitely color the indications that we would see in hindsight. Of course, you do point out that this could just be routine with the line conveying how everyone comes "for the seson and the feeste". Regardless, this is an interesting connection, and I hope it leads to something later in our reading.
Thank you!