06 September, 2014

Reflection on the Second Stanza of Chaucer's 'Truth'


"Tempest thee nought al crooked to redresse
In trust of hire that turneth as a bal;
Much wele stant in litel bisinesse;
Be war therfore to spurne ayains an al
Strive nat dooth the crokke with the wal.
Daunte thyself that dauntest otheres deede:
And trouthe shal delivere, it is no dreade."

Chaucer uses great imagery in the language he presents to his audience. He contrasts the words of control and the trust in things "that turneth as a bal" with the benefits of "stant in litel bisinesse". Yet he also juxtaposes the chaos of a "tempest" when one tries to take control of life ; "spurning ayains an al" and the "daunting thyself" with the consequence of "trouthe shal delivere". That final line composes the resounding and comforting chorus throughout the whole poem, saying that by trusting in Truth, one shall be saved from earthly fears.

1 comment:

  1. Given all our various readings in Chaucer, do you think he believes in "Truth," and if so, what kind of "Truth"?

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