Retrospective Prophecy and Medieval English Authorship

Retrospective Prophecy and Medieval English Authorship explores how misinterpreted, proleptically added, or dubiously attributed prognostications influenced the reputations of renowned Middle English authors. It challenges the reputations of Langland, Gower, and Chaucer as prophets of the Protestant Reformation, Richard IIs deposition, and secular Humanism, respectively, and argues that prophecy emerged and recurred as an important theme in medieval authorial self-representations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 22 March 2022
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

The prescience of medieval English authors has long captivated readers, and Retrospective Prophecy and Medieval English Authorship delves into the intriguing ways in which misinterpreted, proleptically added, or dubiously attributed prognostications shaped the reputations of renowned Middle English authors. This insightful book sheds light on the creative ways in which William Langland, John Gower, and Geoffrey Chaucer engaged with prophecy to cultivate their own identities and address the pressing issues of their time.

Retrospective Prophecy and Medieval English Authorship explores the prophetic reputations of these well-known medieval authors, whose fame made them particularly vulnerable to nationalist appropriation. Kimberly Fonzo argues that retrospectively co-opting the prophetic voices of canonical authors serves those seeking to excuse or endorse significant events in national history by implying that they were destined to occur. She challenges the reputations of Langland, Gower, and Chaucer as prophets of the Protestant Reformation, Richard II's deposition, and secular Humanism, respectively.

Through an intellectual and critical assessment of medieval authors and their works, this book makes a compelling case that prophecy emerged and recurred as a significant theme in medieval authorial self-representations. The book offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between prophecy, authorship, and historical context, and it sheds light on the ways in which medieval authors used prophecy to shape their own narratives and engage with the broader social and political concerns of their era. Whether one is a scholar of medieval literature, history, or religion, Retrospective Prophecy and Medieval English Authorship is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the rich and complex world of medieval prophecy and authorship.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487563479