John Gower and the structures of conversion : a reading of the Confessio amantis
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
John Gower and the structures of conversion : a reading of the Confessio amantis
（Publications of the John Gower Society, 4）
D.S. Brewer , Boydell & Brewer, 1992
Available at 8 libraries
Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 250-266) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
This book examines the significance of John Gower's re-creations ofthe cultural past in the Confessio Amantis through the storiesand teachings of the confessor, Genius. Although the poem has manyof the attributes of a compilation, Gower reforms material to createa range of "wise" responses to important moral questions, intendedto sharpen his readers' judgment and nurture their capacity to dealwith the uncertainties of the moral life. Olsson analysesthepoet's conversions of old to new as an effort to inspire the moralrenewal of the age. He contends that the poet sees the past as thekey to the regeneration of the world. In this reading, the past, anever-new and renewable repository of wisdom, also holds a promise for Amans, who learns that he is an old man unfit to serve in Venus'scourt. Thus the author perceives Gower to offer a strong, responsive and balanced moral vision to an age seemingly victimised by change.
KURT OLSSON is Professor of English at theUniversity of Idaho; this, his first book, was awarded the prestigious Fisher Prize.
Table of Contents
- The "Confessio" and compilation
- the prologue - fortune, governance and counsel
- contingent orders - "Lust" and "Lore"
- Amans and the poet
- Genius
- sins of the senses - the asp
- pride, passion and "Kind"
- Constance and the argument "Ad Motum"
- envy, wrath and courtliness
- sloth and "Gentilesse"
- gentle intention and the uses of imagination
- avarice - the three "lievest" things and idolatry
- justice and the remedies for avarice
- gluttony, consolation and the reign of unlikeness
- curiosity - "sorcerie" and Nectanabus
- the form of Aristotle's lore
- practique
- Appolonius - incest, wisdom and grace
- old age and conversion
- epilogue.
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