Tag Archives: Chaucer

The Doom and Destiny of Tolkien’s Chaucer Research: A Note on John M. Bowers, Tolkien’s Lost Chaucer (2019)

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Brenton Dickieson

Tolkien’s Lost Chaucer is a book about a book that was doomed from the start. As I have been preparing for a Canterbury Tales section in a class I’m teaching, I have been using this recent winner of the Mythopoeic … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

“Wood-Woses: Tolkien’s Wild Men and the Green Knight” by Ethan Campbell

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Brenton Dickieson

In his poem, ‘The Son of Lancelot’, Charles Williams imagines a year when ‘Quinquagesima’ Sunday, the last before Lent, coincides with the pagan Lupercalia (15 February). This year, Ash Wednesday falls on the Feast of St. Valentine. And, by good … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogs, Inklings and Arthur | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Harold Bloom’s Canon: The Essential List

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Brenton Dickieson

On Monday I introduced Harold Bloom‘s 1994 bestseller, The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages. I decided to create a “canonical list” in today’s blog for those who are inclined to try to soak in this great radition. Taking … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Thoughtful Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

The Stereotype of the Hypocritical Clergyman: Chaucer and Modern Film

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Brenton Dickieson

“Of his appearance I have said enough”: so Chaucer concludes one of his pictorial caricatures of the pilgrims on the road in the Prologue of Canterbury Tales. These are playful, quick, and satirical descriptions of the “faithful” on the way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments