10. Langland, Gower and Lydgate

Question 1

What’s the first critical treatise on Eng. literature? What does it say about Langland?

Answer 1

“The Arte of English Poesie” by George Puttenham. It describes works of Langland “Piers Plowman” as a satire.

Question 2

Which writers are known for satire?

Answer 2

Chaucer and Langland.

Question 3

What’s satire?

Answer 3

Mocking observation of human behaviour.

Question 4

How is church described in “Piers Plowman”?

Answer 4

As corrupt.

Question 5

With which work is John Gower known for?

Answer 5

For “Confessio Amantis” (Lover’s Confession).

Question 6

Which church especially supported confession for sins?

Answer 6

Roman Catholic church, to hold the believers in a moral tie through it, stressed esp. after Pope Innocent III’s Fourth Lateran Council of 1215.

Question 7

By whom was Gower inspired?

Answer 7

By the Latin poet Ovid.

Question 8

The medieval times have been revisited, re-imagined, esp in the (1)___ dating (2)___

Answer 8

(1) Romantic period
(2) 18-19th cen.

Question 9

Speak about John Lydgate.

Answer 9

The writer of the 15th cen;
Finds fame after being one of the first to praise Chaucer;
His works were reprinted;
Talks about a variety of topics: epic, politics, love, court concerns, etc;

Question 10

What’s John Lydgate’s best known works?

Answer 10

“The Fall of Princes”;
“Troy Book” - his main achievement;
“The Regiment of Princes” - where Chaucer is mentioned/praised.