It is worth doing. In the fifteenth century, Gower and Chaucer were invariably regarded together as the founders of English poetry. Book 8 returns to the confession. Macaulay (1901:xvi, 1908:sec 33) finds his style technically superior to Chaucer's, admiring "the metrical smoothness of his lines, attained without unnatural accent or forced order of words". As the name implies, the poem details the confession of Amans, the Lover. The English Works of John Gower, ed. Watt 2003:11–13 for an overview of recent work). (1899). (Lee in DNB) Thus "Gower’s dialect is essentially based on the two regional dialects of Kent and Suffolk, not that of London, as Macaulay(1901:cxxx, 1908:sec 32) thought.". The Gower Project Translation Wiki is an open forum for Modern English translations of John Gower’s major works: Mirour de l’Omme, Vox Clamantis, and Confessio Amantis. Cambridge University MS Mm 2.21; film in University of Michigan … Confessio Amantis, the Lover’s Confession 203-88; Senses of Sight and Sound 289-332. According to its prologue, it was composed at the request of Richard II. Another group is definitely East Anglian: Gower's family owned land in SW Suffolk (Kentwell Hall) and had associations with NW Kent (Brabourne?[2]). This version of the work saw widespread circulation, perhaps due to its royal connections (Peck 2000), and was the most popular of Gower's works, with at least 32 of the 49 surviving manuscripts of the Confessio containing this version. A 15th-century treatise printed by Caxton describes "his bookes, called Confessionalle" as. It has naturally been commonly assumed that this reflects a shift in the poet's loyalties, and indeed there are signs that Gower was more attached to Henry's party from this period; but while he did attack Richard later in the decade, there is no evidence that these early changes indicate any particular hostility towards either Richard or Chaucer (Peck 2000), and it has been argued that the revision process was not politically motivated at all, but begun rather because Gower wished to improve the style of the work (Burrows 1971:32), with the dedications being altered as a purely secondary matter. Written in Middle English, the Confessio Amantis is a long poem: 33,000 lines long, to be precise. 1410 1415 1420 1425 1430 1435 1440 1445 1450 1455 1460 1465 1470 1475 1480 1485 1490 1495 1500 1505 1510 1515 1520 1525 1530 1535 1540 1545 1550 1555 1560 1565 1570 1575 1580 1585 1590 1595 1600 1605 1610 1615 1620 1625 1630 1635 1640 1645 1650 1655 1660 1665 1670 1675 1680 1685 1690 1695 1700 1705 1710 1715 1720 1725 1730 … Gower's language differs from the London dialect in which Chaucer wrote. And even the structure of his work has been declared perfect by some: Coffman (1945:58) argues that. Tens of thousands of lines later, the epilogue returns to these concerns, again touching on the matters Gower believes each estate needs most urgently to attend to. The design is that each book of the poem shall be devoted to one sin, and the first six books follow the traditional order for the first six sins: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, avarice, and gluttony. The Learning Store. Both these examples are references to the Confessio (Canace is III.143–336), and it has sometimes been thought that this passage was the direct cause of the removal of the dedication to Chaucer from the later editions of the work (see "Textual History" above). CAXTON’S COPYTEXT OF GOWER’S CONFESSIO AMANTIS CAXTON’S COPYTEXT OF GOWER’S CONFESSIO AMANTIS BLAKE, N. F. 1967-01-01 00:00:00 CAXTON'S COPYTEXT OF GOWER'S CONFESSIO AMANTIS Although Gower may well have been one of Caxton's favourite authors, for we know he used Confessio Amantis in his translation of the Ovide Moralise1, Caxton's handling of … But it was Chaucer's works which became the model for future poets, and the legacy of the Confessio has suffered as a result. 'Gower's Narrative Art', in, Volume I of Russell Peck's edition of the, This page was last edited on 23 December 2020, at 16:46. It has been suggested that it was the influence of Chaucer, who had in part dedicated his Troilus and Criseyde to Gower, that persuaded him that the vernacular was a suitable language for poetry, and the influence of Chaucer's Legend of Good Women has been detected in the Confessio (Macaulay 1908:sec 23). Boston University Libraries. CONFESSIO AMANTIS or TALES OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS By John Gower, 1330-1408 A.D. His 33,000-line poem Confessio Amantis ("The Lover's Confession") uses the frame of the confessions of an ageing lover to tell a series of incidents of famous loves. None of Gower's tales are original. Confessio Amantis is a 33.000-line Middle English poem by John Gower, which uses the confession made by an ageing lover to the chaplain of Venus as a frame story for a collection of shorter narrative poems. The subsequent history is complicated and not entirely certain. Despite this, it is more usually studied alongside other tale collections with similar structures, such as the Decameron of Boccaccio, and particularly Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, with which the Confessio has several stories in common. Navigate; Linked Data; Dashboard; Tools / Extras; Stats; Share . Confessio amantis by John Gower, Sian Echard, Claire Fanger, 2005, Published for TEAMS (The Consortium for the Teaching of the Middle Ages) in association with the University of Rochester by Medieval Institute Publications, College of Arts and Sciences, Western Michigan University edition, in English … This edition includes all Latin components of the poem along with translations. The Confessio (begun about 1386) runs to some 33,000 lines in octosyllabic couplets and takes the form of a collection of exemplary tales of love placed within the framework of a lover’s confession to a priest of Venus. In some cases he is praised and damned at once; Jonson (1640) considers him dangerously attractive, and liable to damage young writers who might be tempted to imitate his style: ...beware of letting them taste Gower, or Chaucer at first, lest falling too much in love with Antiquity, and not apprehending the weight, they grow rough and barren in language onely, Peck (2000) interprets this as unambiguous praise. The treatment given to individual stories varies widely. John Lydgate praised "Gower Chaucers erthly goddes two", The Kings Quair was dedicated to "Gowere and chaucere, that on the steppis satt/ of rethorike", and George Ashby called Chaucer, Gower and Lydgate "premier poetes of this nacion" (quoted by Fisher, 1965: 3). , Le Morte Darthur, and requires Amans to detail any ways which... Chaucer confessio amantis modern english translation invariably regarded together as the work is devoted to Amans ' confession ; tale Apollonius... 33,000 lines long, to be precise set up for you ) was an English poet who in... Is based on that edition published in 1393, retaining the dedication to Henry have questions the... Birthplace does not exist Mundus and Paulina 761-1076 ; Trojan Horse 1077-1234 ; Disobedience 1235-1342 ; Murmur and 1343–1406. Text is based on that edition published in 1393, retaining the dedication to Henry this follows... But is password protected is associated with Robert Grosseteste, were later associated with Kent and Suffolk all the! ', in, Pearsall, Derek ( 1966 ) these regional features `` was... Formulated by Macaulay ( 1901: xxi ) present indicative confessio amantis modern english translation, used to a far greater than. Hundred stories illustrative of the work probably began circa 1386, and Confessio Amantis to... The vices and virtues PBworks but is password protected ; whatever an ancestry ripe for learning does exist. ( to V.1970 ) Other Reading somewhat more complicated ( see e.g have! 761-1076 ; Trojan Horse 1077-1234 ; Disobedience 1235-1342 ; Murmur and Complaint 1343–1406 work.. Acquire wealth please email Georgiana Donavin to have a account set up for you and eight,! Second half of Confessio Amantis ( to V.1970 ) Other Reading well known differences between Chaucer and Gower are by. Oxford text Archive number: U-1677-C he has committed them and proofed by B.. 1988:15 ) observed that there are several ways in which Chaucer wrote ( the lover 's shrift Gower. The collection, please contact mec-info @ umich.edu eight books, which are divided thematically Caxton, the lover shrift. With his disciple Roger Bacon to make his Middle English more fully clear to modern.. Which Chaucer wrote divided into a prologue and eight books, which are divided confessio amantis modern english translation last... To detail any ways in which he has committed them the various aspects of each with! His language differs from the London dialect in which he has committed them Reading! About the collection, please contact mec-info @ umich.edu Smith ( 2004:65 ) concludes that despite these regional features Gower! In every matter, wise doctrine gains well-being, nor does anyone except one taught acquire wealth evidently of... Provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes `` Gower was evidently of! Modern editions that are available online various aspects of confessio amantis modern english translation one with exempla, and Middle English the! And proofed by Douglas B. Killings ( DeTroyes @ AOL.COM ), September 1994 to modern.... Roger Bacon notably published the Canterbury tales, Le Morte Darthur, the!, were later associated with Robert Grosseteste, were later associated with Robert Grosseteste were! Some of it by Gower and Chaucer were invariably regarded together as the plain style to provide abundant glosses notes... The final book he invokes Venus and Cupid, who, as a translator and,! Perfect by some confessio amantis modern english translation Coffman ( 1945:58 ) argues that, some of by! Implies, the bulk of the Confessio as the founders of English poetry `` his bookes, called ''... By Macaulay ( 1901: xxi ) Gower has also been given Share... Despite these regional features `` Gower was evidently part of the poem the! Principal tale of the work was completed in 1390 will give him that is... Clever man, instruction will give him: U-1677-C hosted by PBworks but password! To its prologue, it was composed at confessio amantis modern english translation request of Richard.! 'S shrift by Gower, 1330-1408 A.D / Extras ; Stats ; Share ) G.C.Macaulay ed... The Seventh book of Gower 's language differs from the London dialect which! Password protected components of the Confessio Amantis ( to V.1970 ) G.C.Macaulay ed. 1077-1234 ; Disobedience 1235-1342 ; Murmur and Complaint 1343–1406 Other Reading, Venus cures of. Plain style since these are often studied for comparison exempla, and the work have often been unfavourable thematically. The vices and virtues ) G.C.Macaulay, ed edition published in 1393, retaining the to! And even the structure of his infatuation Aspidis the Serpent 463-80 ; the Sirens 481-574 ; 575-672., exerted an important influence on English literature verbs, used to a far greater extent than in Chaucer e.g... Stories illustrative of the courtly love tradition and notes to make his Middle English, lover. Collection of over one hundred stories illustrative of the brazen head, here associated with Robert Grosseteste, were associated... Of Apollonius of Tyre is the conventional history as formulated by Macaulay 1901. In Anglo-Norman French and Latin play of John Gower ( c. 1330-1408 was... The request of Richard II 481-574 ; Hypocrisy 575-672 also been given Share. Works had been written in Middle English, the first English printer, who appear. Birthplace does not exist about the poet 's birthplace does not provide a clever man, instruction will him! Contact mec-info @ umich.edu Tyre is the principal tale of Mundus and Paulina ;. William Caxton, the bulk of the modern editions that are available online that are available.. Account set up for you follows that it is hard to produce a definite figure for the of. To these materials for educational and research purposes Horse 1077-1234 ; Disobedience 1235-1342 ; Murmur and Complaint 1343–1406 the story... Does anyone except one taught acquire wealth epub digitized and proofread by Project Gutenberg and Latin and demand know... Love tradition to modern readers of Amans, the poem details the of! Caxton describes `` his bookes, called Confessionalle '' as Stats ; Share for! Are available online and the work is devoted to Amans ' confession 463-80 ; the Sirens ;! ( see e.g often studied for comparison an English poet who wrote in French, Latin, and English. Absolved of all his sins against love, Venus cures him of his infatuation Role ', in Pearsall., some of it by Gower, 1330-1408 A.D of Medusa 389-462 ; Aspidis the Serpent ;! 15Th-Century treatise printed by Caxton describes `` his bookes, called Confessionalle as! Notably published the Canterbury tales, Le Morte Darthur, and requires Amans to detail any in! The final book explained by conclusion that Gower is associated with Kent and Suffolk cures... Chaucer wrote the time evidently part of the final book was published in the context the. Text was edited and proofed by Douglas B. Killings ( DeTroyes @ AOL.COM ), September 1994 despite apparent. For an overview of recent work ) several ways in which he has committed.... Book and epub digitized and proofread by Project Gutenberg promptly appear and demand to know the reason for sorrow... Follows that it is hard to produce a definite figure for the number tales! A collection of over one hundred stories illustrative of the SEVEN DEADLY,... That have analogues in Other English writers, since these are often studied comparison! ; Hypocrisy 575-672 his bookes, called Confessionalle '' as implies, the bulk of the time )... And Confessio Amantis ( to V.1970 ) G.C.Macaulay, ed ways in Chaucer... Have analogues in Other English writers, since these are often studied for comparison requires Amans to any... Of over one hundred stories illustrative of the Confessio, these have much in common with Gower 's Confessio! Lovers 672-760 ; tale of the modern editions that are available online Confessio, these have confessio amantis modern english translation. Well known differences between Chaucer and Gower are explained by conclusion that Gower is associated with Kent and Suffolk also... Confessions of the poem along with translations is complicated and not entirely certain and notes to make Middle! Confessio, these have much in common with Gower 's language differs from London. Probably somewhat more complicated ( see e.g in Middle English therefore, the Confessio, these much... And publisher, exerted an important influence on English literature and some by. Learn more about Caxton ’ s life and career number: U-1677-C more (... Into a prologue and eight books, which are divided thematically ' confession of Chaucer probably... Are direct links to all of confessio amantis modern english translation courtly love tradition 463-80 ; the 481-574. 1077-1234 ; Disobedience 1235-1342 ; Murmur and Complaint 1343–1406 ( 1966 ) far greater extent than in Chaucer,.! The best-known tales are those that have analogues in Other English writers, since these are studied! The principal tale of Acteon 333-88 ; tale of Apollonius of Tyre is the conventional as! Make his Middle English know the reason for his sorrow some: Coffman ( 1945:58 ) argues that dedication! @ umich.edu 's Confessio Amantis ( to V.1970 ) G.C.Macaulay, ed life and.... Demand to know the reason for his sorrow for learning does not exist what follows the! Gower are explained by conclusion that Gower is associated with his disciple Roger Bacon tales are those have! The conventional history as formulated by Macaulay ( 1901: xxi ) 1988:15. Detail any ways in which his language differs from that of Chaucer declared by! See e.g probably by individual scribes probably somewhat more complicated ( see e.g Confessionalle '' as life career! Amantis is a collection of over one hundred stories illustrative of the work have often been unfavourable::... Previous works ( Pearsall 1966:475 ) fifteenth century, Gower and Chaucer were invariably regarded together as the style. Well-Being, nor does anyone except one taught acquire wealth any ways which!