Julius Caesar in English Literature from Chaucer through the Renaissance.

Author/Editor
Owen, Trevor Allen.

Title
Julius Caesar in English Literature from Chaucer through the Renaissance.

Published
Owen, Trevor Allen. "Julius Caesar in English Literature from Chaucer through the Renaissance." Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Minnesota, 1966. Dissertation Abstracts International 27 (1967): 3847A. Fully accessible via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Review
Owen surveys the presence of Caesar in English literature from the early fourteenth century through Shakespeare, with particular attention to drama, including some continental works. His opening survey of medieval materials is largely taxonomic and descriptive, background material for analysis of early modern references and depictions in plays, locating references and allusions to Caesar in romances, chronicles, lists of the Nine Worthies, and moral anecdotes. His brief treatment of Gower's works (pp. 31-36) falls appropriately into the latter grouping, nested with discussions of Chaucer's, Hoccleve's, and (most extensively) Lydgate's works. For Gower, Owen tells us, Caesar "is an ideal representing various positive moral qualities worthy of emulation. No blemishes or faults are mentioned. Caesar is symbolic of the great world leader, and Gower uses him as a pattern for others . . . rather than presenting him as a complete human being" (31-2): he is idealized as a "noble ruler" of Rome in the Prologue to the "Confessio Amantis," a skillful orator in Book VII.1597 and 1615, generous and of subtle discernment in the CA accounts of "Julius and the Poor Knight" and "Cesar and the Flatterers," Book VII.2061ff. and 2449ff., respectively. Owen closes this tally by observing where Gower includes Caesar with other ancient rulers as reminders of the passing of worldly kings and kingdoms in advice given to Richard (twice in "Vox Clamantis") and to Henry ("In Praise of Peace"). [MA. Copyright. John Gower Society. eJGN 43.2]

Date
1966

Gower Subjects
Backgrounds and General Criticism