Furnivall, F.J., ed., Chaucer's 'Boece' (London: N. Trubner & Co. The Chaucer Society first series no. 95, 1885).

Text name(s): Boece; De Consolatione Philosophiae; The Consolation of Philosophy

Number of pages of primary source text: 179

Medieval Author(s): Boethius, Ancius Chaucer, Geoffrey

Dates: 1360 - 1380

Archival Reference: Cambridge MS Ii.3.21

Original Language(s): English - Middle English;

Translation: Original language included.

Translation Comments:

Geopolitical Region(s): England;

County/Region:

Apparatus: Glossary Appendices

Comments:

This edition is meant for serious students and scholars with a good knowledge of Middle English. There are no critical or secondary materials included, except for a glossary. Chaucer began his literary career by translating works from Latin, Italian, and French into English. One of these works was Consolation of Philosophy. The Consolation of Philosophy was written by Boethius c. 524, while he was unjustly imprisoned for treason and awaiting execution. It takes the form of a dialogue between himself and Lady Philosophy, where she consoles him and they discuss major philosophical questions. The Consolation of Philosophy is often considered one of the most important and influential works ever written in the West. It was extremely popular in the Middle Ages as well, and was often translated into other languages. Considered by many to be one of the greatest poets of the English language, Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London in the 1340s. He was a page in the household of Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster, who was married to Prince Lionel, one of King Edward III’s sons, and fought in France in 1359. After that he served Edward as a messenger and diplomat, customs agent, clerk of the king’s works (where he oversaw construction and renovation of the king’s houses and properties), and Justice of the Peace. His literary career began in translating works such as the Romance of the Rose and Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy into English, and his first original work, the Book of the Duchess, was written in 1369-70. He died in or around 1400; the date on his 16th-century tomb in Westminster Abbey is October 25, 1400.

Introduction Summary:

Cataloger: RLL