Chaucer's borders

Bale, Anthony (2021) Chaucer's borders. In: Johnson, I. (ed.) Geoffrey Chaucer in Context. Literature in Context. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, pp. 311-319. ISBN 9781009010603.

Abstract

Whilst Chaucer rarely used words like foreyn, alyen or enemi, the crossing of borders and the interrogation of identity are absolutely crucial to his poetics. The borderlands of identity – and in particular, crossings of borders, movements between identity – can be a helpful way of thinking about, and taking apart, received ideas of nation. We are now well used to thinking about and identifying transgression, the going beyond of a limit or border, in order to understand how power works in literary texts. Indeed, ‘border’ and ‘boundary’ did not have the same, rather definite, meanings they now have: a bordure was any edge; a bounde could mean any limitation on a piece of land, or simply the outer area of a space. Can we even think in terms of medieval borders when this was a world without formal borders? And does crossing a border always equate to transgression, a change of identity, or an encounter with the Other? Book synopsis: Geoffrey Chaucer is widely acknowledged as the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages. His texts are studied extensively but, in order to be fully appreciated, they demand a nuanced understanding of the medieval period. This volume provides freshly illuminated access to Chaucer's writing through an unrivalled repertoire of contextual information and perspectives designed to enhance the independence and critical capacities of his modern readers. The featured essays are written not only by distinguished literary scholars but also by leading international historians. Geoffrey Chaucer in Context is an essential reference tool for anyone studying Chaucer and will help readers to identify his different voices and engage with the complexity and colour of his times with new awareness. Illuminates context, rather than a simple provision of textual readings, in order to inform and enhance independent approaches to Chaucer Contributions from leading international historians in addition to Middle English literature specialists ensure fresh and distinctive perspectives and information Addresses all manner of questions - literary, historical, cultural, social, aesthetic, spiritual, political, economic, psychological, philosophical, scientific and linguistic - likely to be on the minds of anyone studying Chaucer

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