tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15194220.post115790817374166702..comments2023-12-23T23:33:55.929-05:00Comments on Heo Cwaeth: A Verray Parfit, Gentil, (Desperately Poor? Greedy? Penitent?) KnyghtHeohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15790601758953554870noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15194220.post-1158643326256032622006-09-19T01:22:00.000-04:002006-09-19T01:22:00.000-04:00MW: Thanks. I was feeling like the idiot in the r...MW: Thanks. I was feeling like the idiot in the room when I tried, again, to push an alternative reading. Nice to know that there are people who agree with me. <BR/><BR/>Dr.V: Thanks to you, too. When I read the first sentence in your response, I thought to myself "Oh, THAT's how you present that idea concisely and eloquently. I'm torn between envy and admiration at the moment. I do have to say that I'm only one degree of separation from Paul E. Szarmach, and I'm told he hasn't been issued his evil cape yet.<BR/><BR/>Bardiac: I actually hadn't considered the "bismotered" clothing as reflecting inner sinfulness. I've always sort of assumed he was bismotered with blood from his battles, and didn't really take that idea further. Shame on me. And thanks for giving me something to think about.<BR/><BR/>HG: I'm thrilled that this post prompted you to come up with your own ideas about the knight. Thanks for telling me that.Heohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15790601758953554870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15194220.post-1158271706520298362006-09-14T18:08:00.000-04:002006-09-14T18:08:00.000-04:00I thought you'd find it intersting that we talked ...I thought you'd find it intersting that we talked about this in my History of Brit Lit today. My Professor seems to agree with you, as when he asked us what we thought Chaucer was trying to imply about the stains on his tunic, one student said 'he's poor?'. The Professor comment was along the lines of 'probably not'. <BR/><BR/>I was able to input more into the discussions, I think because you had me thinking about it in a different way.History Geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04253687974407447459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15194220.post-1157931073946784492006-09-10T19:31:00.000-04:002006-09-10T19:31:00.000-04:00What do you make of the bismotered bit? I was tau...What do you make of the bismotered bit? I was taught that it might contribute to a reading that (if outward appearance reflects inward being, as was the prof's theory of medieval lit clothing) a bismotered habergeon might indicate an inward uncleanliness or sinfulness, and that he's on pilgrimage because of it.<BR/><BR/>I like Dr. Virago's point that we might have a generational thing. I've been in classes where we problematized the knight as a grad student.<BR/><BR/>And I totally agree: you could wipe the mead hall with the squire without breaking a sweat.Bardiachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11846065504793800266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15194220.post-1157928853676856992006-09-10T18:54:00.000-04:002006-09-10T18:54:00.000-04:00I wish I had more to say, then I found this really...I wish I had more to say, then I found this really interesting.<BR/><BR/>Also, I'm never going to be able to read <I>Speculum</I> again without hearing Bond-Villian like cackling, or picturing Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham.History Geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04253687974407447459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15194220.post-1157915262798868652006-09-10T15:07:00.000-04:002006-09-10T15:07:00.000-04:00I really like your idea of his simple accoutrement...I really like your idea of his simple accoutrements as somehow performative of a utilitarian vision of knighthood. I don't think I'd ever quite seen his clothing as performative (in the way that other Pilgrims' costumes are) but I *definitely* have always seen the Knight as the "fighter" and the Squire as the "lover" and the two as a contrasting pair pointing to the complicated and contradictory impulses of both knightly/courtly culture and romance literature.<BR/><BR/>In short, I'm pretty much on the same page as you and medieval woman, Heo. I wonder if there's been a generational shift, post Terry Jones perhaps, that doesn't see the Knight as wholly uncomplicated as older generations.<BR/><BR/>And btw, the idea of Speculum editors in evil-doers' capes, and medieval people as potentially "tacky" made me giggle!Dr. Viragohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03960384082670286328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15194220.post-1157912209700579932006-09-10T14:16:00.000-04:002006-09-10T14:16:00.000-04:00I've totally always interpreted it as you are, Heo...I've totally always interpreted it as you are, Heo! I think he seriously just got off the "Crusade Queen" boat and decided to go on pilgrimage - I think that's the real interesting thing - it seems like he hasn't had the chance to stop and change - what is he feeling the need to purge himself of? Why is he so penitent after coming off of a Holy War that should have totally washed him clean of all sins? I think there might be the opportunity to question the possible guilt (and problematic policy) behind all his "reys[ing]" (54). I'm not saying that Chaucer is criticizing the Crusades - or that the Knight has come back a totally disillusioned Christian - but I think there's cool wiggle room and I wouldn't go the "he's poor" route personally.<BR/><BR/>I'm with ya, babe.medieval womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17278854285443306227noreply@blogger.com