This thesis will deal with the role of fortune in Boethius’ “Consolation of Philosophy” in comparison with two stories of Chaucer’s "Canterbury Tales", namely “The Knight’s Tale” and “The Tale of Melibee”.
“The Consolation of Philosophy” was one of the most translated works in history and therefore it must have been of great significance. It was understood as the paragon of Christianity, although few voices did see the more philosophical elements as superficial. In the 15th century Chaucer’s translation of this work was one of his most popular compositions. His point of view coincides in many aspects with Boethius as he was Christian too and Chaucer was considered a “supremely philosophical poet” as in medieval times poetry was not distinguished from philosophy.
Chaucer translated Boethius’ main work “The Consolation of Philosophy” which he wrote during his arrest in prison in 523/24. Hence it can be assumed that he knew a great deal about him and his work had a massive influence on his poetry namely the Canterbury Tales which he was writing at the time he was translating Boethius’ “Consolation of Philosophy”. In research the examination of the similarities between Boethius and Chaucer’s works are quite popular as they all agree that Chaucer adapted many ideas from Boethius. Stretter for example examined in detail to what extend love corresponds with fortune in “The Knight’s Tale”.
At first there will be a brief introduction to Boethius’ “Consolation of Philosophy”, followed by a description of the characteristics of fortune. Then I will compare in what way these characteristics are mirrored in “The Knight’s Tale” and “The Tale of Melibee”. Furthermore I will also investigate some other topics that necessarily emerge from fortune as this leads to the question what should be sought if not fortune, which results in the search for happiness and the right way to achieve it. This correlates with the control of the emotions which are the essential premise and the cause for all misdeeds. As men are deluded by their senses they are not able to think and act reasonably.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Boethius' "Consolation of Philosophy" and the role of fortune.
- "The Knight's Tale" and "The Consolation of Philosophy"
- "The Tale of Melibee" and "The Consolation of Philosophy"
- Final statement
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to analyze the role of fortune in Boethius' "Consolation of Philosophy" by comparing it with two stories from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: "The Knight's Tale" and "The Tale of Melibee." The objective is to explore the philosophical underpinnings of these narratives and understand how fortune is portrayed as a force influencing human destiny. The main themes explored include:
- The nature of fortune and its impact on human lives
- The search for happiness and the means to achieve it
- The control of emotions and the importance of reason
- The concept of free will and its relationship with divine providence
- The significance of good and evil in the face of fortune's influence
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: Introduces the thesis topic and its objectives, highlighting the significance of Boethius' "Consolation of Philosophy" and its influence on Chaucer's work. Briefly discusses the concept of fortune and its implications for human behavior, particularly in the context of revenge and the quest for happiness.
- Boethius' "Consolation of Philosophy" and the role of fortune: Provides a summary of Boethius' work, focusing on its structure and main themes. This section analyzes the portrayal of fortune as a fickle force, highlighting its characteristics and its impact on Boethius' personal experiences during his imprisonment. It examines the philosophical ideas presented by Lady Philosophy, particularly regarding the nature of fortune and its relationship to happiness and the search for good.
- "The Knight's Tale" and "The Consolation of Philosophy": Compares the depiction of fortune in "The Knight's Tale" with Boethius' work. This section explores the relationship between fortune, love, and human suffering, examining how these themes are intertwined in the narrative. The role of Theseus as a representative of Boethian wisdom and the characters of Arcite and Palamon as embodiments of human suffering is discussed.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and themes of this thesis include Boethius' "Consolation of Philosophy," Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the role of fortune, human suffering, happiness, the control of emotions, free will, divine providence, love, and the interplay of good and evil in the face of fortune's influence. These concepts are explored through the lens of philosophical and literary analysis, emphasizing the interplay between fate and individual agency.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jacqueline Barth (Autor:in), 2014, The role of fortune in “The Consolation of Philosophy” in comparison with “The Knight’s Tale” and “The Tale of Melibee”, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/339587
