Wisdom and Chivalry: Chaucer's Knight's Tale and Medieval Political Theory (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9789004176249)

The Knight's Tale is one of the most controversial of all the Canterbury Tales. Does Chaucer portray Theseus, the duke of Athens whose actions dominate the tale, as an ideal ruler, one who is noble, wise and chivalrous, or does the duke's behaviour reveal him to be immoral, self-seeking and tyrannical? This book (now in a corrected second printing) assesses the duke's conduct and thought in terms of the ideals set out in medieval mirrors for princes, particularly in Giles of Rome's De Regimine Principum. It argues that, when judged by the standards of these works, Theseus can be seen as a model prince in terms of his self-government ('ethics'), his rule of his household ('economics'), his governance of his realm ('politics) and his cosmography and philosophy.

Author: Stephen Rigby
ISBN-10: 9004176241
ISBN-13: 9789004176249
Publisher: Brill
Language: English
Published: 09/30/2009
Pages: 332
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.45lbs
Size: 9.25h x 6.10w x 0.81d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2009 pg. 276