The voices of medieval English lyric : an anthology of poems ca 1150-1530 / Anne L. Klinck.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Klinck, Anne L., 1943- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

English poetry--Middle English, 1100-1500--History and criticism.

English poetry.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (441 pages)

Place of Publication:

Montreal : McGill-Queen's University Press, [2019]

Summary:

What was the medieval English lyric? Moving beyond the received understanding of the genre, The Voices of Medieval English Lyric explores, through analysis, discussion, and demonstration, what the term "lyric" most meaningfully implies in a Middle English context. A critical edition of 131 poems that illustrate the range and rich variety of lyric poetry from the mid-twelfth century to the early sixteenth century, The Voices of Medieval English Lyric presents its texts - freshly edited from the manuscripts - in thirteen sections emphasizing contrasting and complementary voices and genres. As well as a selection of religious poetry, the collection includes a high proportion of secular lyrics, many on love and sexuality, both earnest and humorous. In general, major authors who have been covered thoroughly elsewhere are excluded from the edited texts, but some, especially Chaucer, are "ed or mentioned as illuminating comparisons. Charles d'Orléans and the Scots poets Robert Henryson and William Dunbar add an extra-national dimension to a single-language collection. Textual and thematic notes are provided, as well as versions of the poems in Latin or French when these exist. Adopting new perspectives, The Voices of Medieval English Lyric offers an up-to-date, accessible, and distinctive take on Middle English poetry.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction: Approaching Middle English Lyric

Presentation of the Texts

The Earliest Texts: Song and Meditation

Poems on Mortality

Personal Devotion

Marian Poems and Lullabies

Anonymous Snatches: The Rawlinson Lyrics

Popular Tradition and Humble Life

Festive Songs

Humour and Satire

Refined Love: The Man Speaks

Desire and Seduction: The Woman Speaks

The Love Debate

An Authored Collection: Charles d'Orléans

Scottish Poetry: Henryson and Dunbar

Textual and Explanatory Notes

Facsimile Editions and Digitized Manuscripts

Index of Manuscripts Cited

Works Cited

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-2280-0017-3

OCLC:

1105145018