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Encyclopedia > Chaucer's Retraction

Chaucer's Retraction is the final section of The Canterbury Tales. It is written as an apology, where Chaucer asks for forgiveness for the vulgar and unworthy parts of this and other past works, and seeks absolution for his sins. Canterbury Tales Woodcut 1484 The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century (two of them in prose, the rest in verse). ... Chaucer: Illustration from Cassells History of England, circa 1902 Chanticleer the rooster from an outdoor production of Chanticleer and the Fox at Ashby_de_la_Zouch castle Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. ...

Wherfore I biseke yow mekely, for the mercy
Of God, that ye preye for me that crist have
Mercy on me and foryeve me my giltes;/ and
Namely of my translacions and enditynges of
Worldly vanitees, the whiche I revoke in
My retracciouns:/ as is the book of Troilus;
the book also of Fame; the book of
The xxv. Ladies; the book of the duchesse;
The book of seint valentynes day of the parlement
of briddes; the tales of counterbury,
Thilke that sownen into synne;/ the book of the
Leoun; and many another book.

It is not clear whether these are sincere declarations of remorse on Chaucer's part, a continuation of the theme of penitence from the Parson's Tale or simply a way to advertise the rest of his works. It is not even certain if the retraction was an integral part of the Canterbury Tales or if it was the equivalent of a death bed confession which became attached to this his most popular work. Troilus and Criseyde is Geoffrey Chaucers poem in rhyme royal re-telling the tragic love story of Troilus, a Trojan prince, and Criseyde. ... The Parlement of Foules (also known as the Parliament of Fowls, Parlement of Briddes, Assembly of Fowls or Assemble of Foules) is a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer (1343?-1400) made up by approximately 700 lines. ... The Parlement of Foules (also known as the Parliament of Fowls, Parlement of Briddes, Assembly of Fowls or Assemble of Foules) is a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer (1343?-1400) made up by approximately 700 lines. ... Canterbury Tales Woodcut 1484 The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century (two of them in prose, the rest in verse). ... This is the last tale from Geoffrey Chaucers The Canterbury Tales. ...


Retractions, often called palinodes, were common in works of this era and the bawdy nature of some of Chaucer's works possibly needed forgiveness. The book of the Leoun seems to be an unknown work by Chaucer. With the retraction he manages to call an end and complete what is otherwise regarded as an unfinished work.

Wikisource has original text related to this article:
The Canterbury Tales: Chaucer's Retraction
The Canterbury Tales
General Prologue - The Knight's Tale - The Miller's Tale - The Reeve's Tale - The Cook's Tale - The Man of Law's Tale - The Wife of Bath's Tale - The Friar's Tale - The Summoner's Tale - The Clerk's Tale - The Merchant's Tale - The Squire's Tale - The Franklin's Tale - The Physician's Tale - The Pardoner's Tale - The Shipman's Tale - The Prioress' Tale - Chaucer's Tale of Sir Topas - The Tale of Melibee - The Monk's Tale - Chanticleer and the Fox - The Second Nun's Tale - The Canon's Yeoman's Tale - The Manciple's Tale - The Parson's Tale - Chaucer's Retraction


 
 

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