红杏视频

Middle English literature frequently takes time to describe crafted material objects. These material objects frequently carry their own weight in meaning, and when treated as objects and analysed art historically, lead to greater insights in medieval literature. These works, employing ekphrasis, can represent many different ideas. I will analyse objects that connote the chivalric in Middle English literature, taking examples from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Gawain and the Green Knight. Gawain’s kit is verbosely described in lyric verse, as is his accoutrements and ornament; by addressing these items through an art historical lens an image of requisite components for the chivalric can be deciphered. I intend to examine component items from the primary sources, and then I will analyse how they represent the chivalric world. The component items I will examine are the knight’s coarse tunic and rust stained armour from the Canterbury Tales, and Gawain’s helm and shield from Gawain and the Green Knight. The goal of this research project is to isolate the process of ekphrasis in Middle English literature and identify the representations of chivalry. My project will make use of comparisons to literary tradition, historical analogues, and visual representations of the component items to isolate the described material objects and examine how they represent the chivalric through ekphrasis.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Campbell Dowler on completing his research and graduating honours essay!