| Title | : | The Complete Works (Middle English Texts) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 158044086X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781580440868 |
| Language | : | Scots |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 488 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2004 |
Dunbar, a courtier of Scotland's James IV, is considered to be the finest lyric poet between about 1400 and 1557 and a leader amongst the Middle Scots Poets. He is credited with over 80 poems with structures and themes that reflect, depending on the poem, somewhere between medieval and Renaissance fascinations.
Like most gentlemen poets, Dunbar's topics ranged from the devotional to works intended for public events (such as those welcoming Queen Margaret to Scotland) and private pleasure (such as two on James Dog, in which Dunbar asserts "He is na dog, he is a lam"), poetry in the courtly tradition, and a range of comical and satirical poetry. Editor Conlee works with the canonical texts in Middle Scots, with margin glossaries, and provides an extensive list of resources.
Like most gentlemen poets, Dunbar's topics ranged from the devotional to works intended for public events (such as those welcoming Queen Margaret to Scotland) and private pleasure (such as two on James Dog, in which Dunbar asserts "He is na dog, he is a lam"), poetry in the courtly tradition, and a range of comical and satirical poetry. Editor Conlee works with the canonical texts in Middle Scots, with margin glossaries, and provides an extensive list of resources.
The Complete Works (Middle English Texts) Reviews
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More than a poet, but a Makar of many hats, Dunbar wears them all to the utmost and with excellence. His devotional poems are soberingly so, his flytings are absolutely brutal, and even his court poetry finds room for flair. He has an incredible dexterity with form and he’s more comfortable with paradox than with its absence. Perhaps most surprising, his poetry bears witness to times past and those to come, feeling at once entirely medieval and shockingly post-modern. A joy to which I will be returning.
