Oxford Guides to Chaucer: Troilus and Criseyde: (Oxford Guides to Chaucer)

The three Oxford Guides to Chaucer are written by scholars of international repute, with the purpose of summarizing what is known about his work and offering interpretations based on recent advances in both historical knowledge and theoretical understanding. Barry Windeatt's contribution to the series offers students the most comprehensive introduction to Troilus and Criseyde yet produced. It includes the fullest and most convenient account of Chjauser's use of sources, the first exteded analysis of the poem's generic originality, and an invaluable commentary on all aspects of the poem that is Chaucer's most ambitious single achievement - its structure, themes, characterization, and style. It also contains a survey of literary responses to Troilus in the three centuries following Chaucer's death. Combining the informative substance of a reference book with the coherence of a critical reading, the Guide has taken its place as the standard introduction to Troilus and Criseyde.

About the Author :
Barry Windeatt is editor of the Longman edition of Troilus and Criseyde. He had translated and edited The Book of for Penguin and co-edited Chaucer Traditions: Studies in Honour of Derek Brewer (CUP, 1990).

Review :
'carefully written..deeply learned...sensible and judicious...with monumental patience and humility Windeat has served Chaucer and his students well.' Notes & Queries 'provides a rich compendium of knowledge...Windeatt is to be commended for the voluminous material he has assimilated and for providing a source for a better understanding not only of Troilus but of Chaucer's other works as well. Highly recommended.' Choice 'Each division of this book reflects its author's close study and balanced assessment of the evidence...His graceful and clear writing, coupled with his sound critical sense, keeps us reading and mining his valuable book for more insights about the poem.' Aestell 'Barry Windeatt is judicious, thorough, and informative; unafraid to advance his own opinions, but unfailingly generous in his account of other views. Windeatt's book is also clearly organized. Windeatt's Guide will surely increase the poem's accessibility and confirm its stature as 'Chaucer's finest single achievement, his masterpiece'. His book is wonderful to read through, and invaluable as a reference: it will be an essential accompaniment for every reader of Troilus and Criseyde, at every level.' John M. Fyler, Tufts University, Modern Language Review `an intelligently sophisticated level of discussion of all pertinent issues (scholarly or critical), which are nevertheless presented in a clear, readable, and informative way. an invaluable research and study aid, which will prove a useful starting point for any examination of almost any aspect of the poem - not only because of the full bibliography (and the convenient selective ones placed at the end of each section of every chapter), but also because of the intelligence of the discussion, which offers never less than an argument worth addressing. It is, moreover - in the meticulous consultation of and respect for authorities, and in the care taken to cull from them the most interesting points, which are then incorporated into a discourse that is structured and written with equal care - a worthy critical counterpart to the poem itself.' Review of English Studies `A paperback edition of the book reviewed in MAE, 62 (1993), 324-5, where it was noted that Windeatt 'excels as both auctor and compilator.' Medium Aevum, Vol. LXV 1996