S9E27: “Jack’s Bookshelf – Chaucer”, After Hours with Dr. Simon Horobin

We continue to snoop through Jack’s Bookshelf and Dr. Simon Horobin introduces us to Geoffrey Chaucer

Click here to download audio for S9E28: “Jack’s Bookshelf – Chaucer”

Show Notes

Introduction

Quote-of-the-Week

“Love will not be constrain’d by mastery.
When mast’ry comes, the god of love anon
Beateth his wings, and, farewell, he is gone.
Love is a thing as any spirit free.”

– Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales

Biography

Dr. Simon Horobin is a British philologist and Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow of Magdalen College. 

His research explores the history and development of the English language, including spelling, dialects, and the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. His work highlights how English has evolved and continues to shape culture and communication. He is the author of C. S. Lewis’s Oxford and co-author of Wardrobes and Rings with Malcolm Guite and Julia Golding.

Chit Chat

  • Wardrobes & Rings
  • Romanian Conference

Toast

Discussion

His Works

Q. Would you mind just guiding us through his corpus?

  • Nod to “Parlement of Foules” in Ch. 4 of The Silver Chair”

Q. Would you mind reading one of your favourite passages?

Influencing Lewis

Q. So, the big question… how did Chaucer influence C. S. Lewis?

  • The Nevil Coghill translation
  • Both memorialized in Westminster Abbey

First Steps

Q. If someone wanted to dip their toe into his works, where would you recommend people begin?

Q. Have you ever watched A Knight’s Tale, in which the Director/Writer tried to give the inspiration for the Canterbury Tails? 

Wrap Up

Concluding Thoughts

More Information

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Posted in Audio Discussion, David, Podcast Episode, Season 9 and tagged .

After working as a Software Engineer in England for several years, David moved to the United States in 2008, where he settled in San Diego. Then, in 2020 he married his wife, Marie, and moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Together they have a son, Alexander, who is adamant that Narnia should be read publication order.

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