Date of Award
12-2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
English
Department
English
Major Professor
Marti, Kevin
Second Advisor
Fitzpatrick, Barbara
Third Advisor
Gonzalez, Daniel
Abstract
Perhaps due to its seemingly straightforward religious nature, the Second Nun's Cecelia Legend in The Canterbury Tales is often dismissed by scholars and readers alike. However, through analyzing Chaucer's earlier analogues, it becomes apparent that Chaucer has left out key pieces of the Life of Saint Cecelia. These omissions can be explained as attempts to illustrate the humanistic beliefs of both St. Augustine and Christine de Pizan. Further, the etymology of key words which appear in the "Second Nun's Prologue and Tale" help to reinforce the satire which Chaucer creates. Chaucer has deleted the humanism from the Saint Cecelia Legend in order to illustrate the potential for the corruption of female virtue.
Recommended Citation
Flewellyn, Meghan, "Medieval Feminine Humanism and Geoffrey Chaucer's Presentation of the Anti-Cecilia" (2009). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 998.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/998
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.