Language:
English
Year of publication:
1994
Titel der Quelle:
Modern Philology
Angaben zur Quelle:
91,4 (1994) 413-427
Keywords:
Chaucer, Geoffrey,
;
Antisemitism History 14th century
;
Christianity and antisemitism History To 1500
;
Antisemitism in literature
;
Antisemitism Sermons
;
English literature History and criticism Middle English, 1100-1500
Abstract:
Explores the relationship between eucharistic symbolism, particularly the pervasive child-as-Host motif in the Middle Ages, and anti-Judaism to determine how an ideology of bodily and social purity could become salient for the audience of Chaucer's "Prioress's Tale." Examines two 14th century sermons that conflate the eucharistic symbol (the Host) with images of Jewish ritual murder, as analogues to the "Prioress's Tale." In the Middle Ages, religion helped to formulate a sense of community. Skepticism regarding the miracle of the Eucharist required routine reintroduction of pollutants in ritual or narrative, thence to be castigated and communally expelled. This dynamic, in significant measure, accounts for the Prioress's anti-Judaism.
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