Chaucerian Tragedy, Volum 24

Professor Kelly takes issue with several critical stereotypes about tragedy in the medieval period, suggesting that contrary to received wisdom it was not a common term, nor was there a uniform meaning given to it by the few who used it. He argues that Chaucer was the first author of the middle ages to write tragedies in the vernacular, and it was his understanding and demonstration of tragedy which shaped notions of the genre.

The book seeks to place Chaucer's achievement in a critical and historical context, beginning by contrasting modern with medieval theoretical approaches to the study of genres. It goes on to discuss Boccaccio's concept of tragedy as a dramatic form and his De casibus before turning to Chaucer himself, exploring the ideas of tragedy prevalent in medieval England, showing what Chaucer meant by the term, and the influences upon him. Troilus and Criseyde is analysed specifically as a tragedy, and consideration is given to its reception in modern times. Later chapters takeup two of Chaucer's imitators, John Lydgate and Robert Henryson, and analyse the ways in which they understood and practiced tragedy.
-- A study of Chaucer's definition of tragedy - with special reference to Troilus - and its lasting influence on English dramatics.