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_haggis_ 's review for:
Troilus and Criseyde
by Geoffrey Chaucer, Nevill Coghill
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's always hard to review the classics because so much of the story is hidden behind archaisms, ancient-modern differences and foreignness.
However, there's a reason we call Chaucer a genius. Although more challenging (and not as intuitive) as the Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde is a stunning piece of poetry that is multi-layered and rich in medieval symbolism.
There's a real danger that this review could spiral into a full on essay, so in the interest of not boring everyone to death, here are a few thoughts on why you should read this (and why not). A disclaimer too, I read this for university so my appreciation of it is unapologetically filtered through a passion for medievalism and an academic interest. I also realise that most other people read it for uni too - and I'm fairly sure at the expense of a few groans of boredom.
Let's be real. To our modern eyes (and ears) this stuff is dense. And for anyone who isn't used to Middle English texts, might require the use of a dictionary to fully decipher Chaucer's vocabulary. This isn't a flaw of the text itself (I doubt Chaucer had the 21st century reader in mind when he composed it) but if old-fashioned language isn't your cup of tea then this book will be a chore. Compared to modern texts it's also slow moving - with little action and many many monologues and conversations.
However, the language is undeniably beautiful. Chaucer is such a master of register and he captures the subtleties of characterisation through his dialogue and word choice - the strutting warrior Troilus' transformation into a servant of cupid is mirrored through an importation (parody?) of French love poetry and courtly diction, whilst his dramatic wallowings satirise the romance tradition and moralising religous poems of the time.
For the student interested (or forced to read) in symbolism, medievalisms and social commentary - there is plenty of that, and we are given references to all and sundry.
Troilus and Criseyde aren't particularly strong characters - but they are useful, and well constructed tools through which the story probes wider implications of readership, love, morality and conversations of free-will, so that they form only a minor piece of the book itself.
I haven't given in 5 stars because that not only seems a little pretentious, but also Pandarus annoys me so much and I wish I could bash him over the head with the book.
Don't read this if you're looking for toe-curling romance, epic battles, or if you hate poetry.
Do read this if you enjoy metre, language and philosophy.
However, there's a reason we call Chaucer a genius. Although more challenging (and not as intuitive) as the Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde is a stunning piece of poetry that is multi-layered and rich in medieval symbolism.
There's a real danger that this review could spiral into a full on essay, so in the interest of not boring everyone to death, here are a few thoughts on why you should read this (and why not). A disclaimer too, I read this for university so my appreciation of it is unapologetically filtered through a passion for medievalism and an academic interest. I also realise that most other people read it for uni too - and I'm fairly sure at the expense of a few groans of boredom.
Let's be real. To our modern eyes (and ears) this stuff is dense. And for anyone who isn't used to Middle English texts, might require the use of a dictionary to fully decipher Chaucer's vocabulary. This isn't a flaw of the text itself (I doubt Chaucer had the 21st century reader in mind when he composed it) but if old-fashioned language isn't your cup of tea then this book will be a chore. Compared to modern texts it's also slow moving - with little action and many many monologues and conversations.
However, the language is undeniably beautiful. Chaucer is such a master of register and he captures the subtleties of characterisation through his dialogue and word choice - the strutting warrior Troilus' transformation into a servant of cupid is mirrored through an importation (parody?) of French love poetry and courtly diction, whilst his dramatic wallowings satirise the romance tradition and moralising religous poems of the time.
For the student interested (or forced to read) in symbolism, medievalisms and social commentary - there is plenty of that, and we are given references to all and sundry.
Troilus and Criseyde aren't particularly strong characters - but they are useful, and well constructed tools through which the story probes wider implications of readership, love, morality and conversations of free-will, so that they form only a minor piece of the book itself.
I haven't given in 5 stars because that not only seems a little pretentious, but also Pandarus annoys me so much and I wish I could bash him over the head with the book.
Don't read this if you're looking for toe-curling romance, epic battles, or if you hate poetry.
Do read this if you enjoy metre, language and philosophy.