Why you might read Parlement of Foules?
Parlement of Foules is another of Chaucer's dream sequence poems. It covers the idea that when there are competing men for a woman's courtship it is her that must decide. It gives insight into how those around those courtships saw them.
In my Self Education project, it stands to give a better understanding of Chaucer's times. As well as insight into country courtship at the time.
Story of Parlement of Foules
Parlement of Foules starts with the narrator reading Cicero. This is mostly around Scipio Africanis. He then runs out of light and goes to sleep. Once asleep Africanis guides him to the temple of Venus. Once there he heads outside and finds nature in a clearing. Around her are collected all the birds. It is St. Valentine's day so they are waiting for her to give them a mate. There are three male eagles who argue over who loves this one female the most. The other lesser birds get sick of this and complain. Eventually, Nature chimes in and declares that whoever the female decides will be her mate will be. The males are unhappy but it does end the argument. Then all the other birds pair off and there is an ode to spring.
Relfections on Parlement of Foules
Dream sequences tend to be a lot harder to follow and this work is no exception. The topic at times moves quickly between ideas. As we get to the parliament itself things slow down and it is easier to follow.
It is interesting that Nature's ruling is for the free will of the female. It is an interesting twist to the idea that nature decides the pairing that we are introduced to. It took me a little by surprise as I had expected Nature to make the decision.
What others have to say about Parlement of Foules
"Chaucer uses this device to gently satirize the tradition of courtly love. He handles the debate with humour and deftly characterizes the various birds." From Britannica
Comparisons with other texts
Like the House of Fame and The Book of Duchess Parlement of Foules is a dream sequence. And like these other two, it makes it a little harder to follow. Like The Book of Duchess, it is about love. But where the Book of Duchess is about the loss of love Parlement of Foules is about the start of love.
It is unlike Anelida and Arcite which is a direct story about Arcites betrayal of Anelida. Though again both center on the theme of love they do so in very different ways.
Conclusion
The Parlement of Foules is another dream sequence from Geoffroy Chaucer. It covers the dreamer traveling to the temple of Venus and then outside. Once out there the dreamer finds Nature holding parliament of St Valentine's day and pairing up all the birds. It looks at the themes of love and parodies the usual country courtships.
Have you read Parlement of Foules? If so what did you think of it?
Want to read Parlement of Foules but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.
Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.
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