Chaucerotics examines the erotic language in Chaucerian literature through a unique lens, utilizing the tools of "pornographic literary theory" to open up Chaucer's ribald poetry to fresh modes of analysis. By introducing and applying the notion of "Chaucerotics," this study argues for a more historically-nuanced and theoretically-sophisticated understanding of the obscene content in Chaucer's fabliaux and Troilus and Criseyde. This book demonstrates that the sexually suggestive language of this magisterial Middle English poet could stimulate and titillate various literary audiences in late medieval England, and even goes so far as to suggest that Chaucer might well be understood as the "Father of English pornography" for playing a notable, liminal role in the development of porn as a literary genre. In making this case, Geoffrey W. Gust presents an insightful account of an important intellectual issue and opens up the subject of premodern pornography to consideration in a way that is new and highly provocative.

Autorentext

Geoffrey W. Gust is Assistant Professor of Critical Thinking at Stockton University, USA, where he coordinates writing across the curriculum and teaches a variety of humanities courses. His research interests are trans-historical and cross-cultural, with particular emphasis on late medieval Europe, critical theory, and intellectual history.

Zusammenfassung

Chaucerotics examines the erotic language in Chaucerian literature through a unique lens, utilizing the tools of pornographic literary theory to open up Chaucer's ribald poetry to fresh modes of analysis. By introducing and applying the notion of Chaucerotics, this study argues for a more historically-nuanced and theoretically-sophisticated understanding of the obscene content in Chaucer's fabliaux and Troilus and Criseyde. This book demonstrates that the sexually suggestive language of this magisterial Middle English poet could stimulate and titillate various literary audiences in late medieval England, and even goes so far as to suggest that Chaucer might well be understood as the Father of English pornography for playing a notable, liminal role in the development of porn as a literary genre. In making this case, Geoffrey W. Gust presents an insightful account of an important intellectual issue and opens up the subject of premodern pornography to consideration in a way that is new and highly provocative.

Inhalt

-Introduction: Chaucerotics and the Problem of Medieval Pornography

I. Pornography and the Evasions of Chaucer Studies

II. The Problem of Medieval Pornography

-Chapter 1: Chaucerotics and the Cloak of Language in the Fabliaux

-Chapter 2: Ther was the revel and the melodye: The Playful Cloak of Language in The Miller's Tale

-Chapter 3: On this goode wyf he leith on soore: The Brutal Chauceroticism of The Reeve's Tale

-Chapter 4: And in he throng: The Anti-Chivalric Chauceroticism of The Merchant's Tale

-Chapter 5: And of his owene thought he wax al reed: Chaucerotics and the Poetics of Prostitution in The Shipman's Tale

-Chapter 6: Swych feste it joye was to sene: On the Pornographic Possibilities of Troilus and Criseyde

-Conclusion: Uncloaking the Language of Sex in The Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde