This is the first detailed study of four Middle English Romance poems--Guy of Warwick, Sir Ysumbras, Sir Gowther, and Robert of Cisyle--all of which are concerned with the sin, repentance, and atonement of their heroes. Hopkins argues that the kind of penance experienced by the heroes reflects
archaic traditions and views at variance with the contemporary teaching and practice of the Church. The book explores whether or not the authors consciously...
Related Subjects
Poetry