'Complaint unto Pity, The' by Geoffrey Chaucer
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Pite, that I have sought so yore agoo
With herte soore and ful of besy peyne,
That in this world was never wight so woo
Withoute deth-- and yf I shal not feyne,
My purpos was to Pite to compleyne
Upon the crueltee and tirannye
Of Love, that for my trouthe doth me dye.
And when that I, be lengthe of certeyne yeres,
Had evere in oon a tyme sought to speke,
To Pitee ran I al bespreynt with teres
To prayen hir on Cruelte me awreke.
But er I myghte with any word outbreke
Or tellen any of my peynes smerte,
I fond hir ded, and buried in an herte.
Adoun I fel when that I saugh the herse,
Ded as a ston while that the swogh me laste;
But up I roos with colour ful dyverse
And pitously on hir myn eyen I caste,
And ner the corps I gan to presen faste,
And for the soule I shop me for to preye.
I was but lorn, ther was no more to seye.
Thus am I slayn sith that Pite is ded.
Allas, that day, that ever hyt shulde falle.
What maner man dar now hold up his hed?
To whom shal any sorwful herte calle?
Now Cruelte hath cast to slee us alle,
In ydel hope, folk redeless of peyne,
Syth she is ded, to whom shul we compleyne?
But yet encreseth me this wonder newe,
That no wight woot that she is ded, but I--
So many men as in her tyme hir knewe--
And yet she dyed not so sodeynly,
For I have sought hir ever ful besely
Sith first I hadde wit or mannes mynde,
But she was ded er that I koude hir fynde.
Aboute hir herse there stoden lustely,
Withouten any woo as thoughte me,
Bounte parfyt, wel armed and richely,
And fresshe Beaute, Lust, and Jolyte,
Assured Maner, Youthe, and Honeste,
Wisdom, Estaat, Drede, and Governaunce,
Confedred both by honde and alliaunce.
A compleynt had I, writen in myn hond,
For to have put to Pite as a bille;
But when I al this companye ther fond,
That rather wolden al my cause spille
Then do me help, I held my pleynte stille,
For to that folk, withouten any fayle,
Withoute Pitee ther may no bille availe.
Then leve I al these vertues, sauf Pite,
Kepynge the corps as ye have herd me seyn,
Confedered alle by bond of Cruelte[Riv., p. 641]
And ben assented when I shal be sleyn.
And I have put my complaynt up ageyn,
For to my foes my bille I dar not shewe,
Th'effect of which seith thus, in wordes fewe:
(The Bill of Complaint)
Humblest of herte, highest of reverence,
Benygne flour, coroune of vertues alle,
Sheweth unto youre rial excellence
Youre servaunt, yf I durste me so calle,
Hys mortal harm in which he is yfalle,
And noght al oonly for his evel fare,
But for your renoun, as he shal declare.
Hit stondeth thus: your contraire, Crueltee,
Allyed is ayenst your regalye
Under colour of womanly Beaute--
For men shulde not, lo, knowe hir tirannye--
With Bounte, Gentilesse, and Curtesye,
And hath depryved yow now of your place
That hyghte "Beaute apertenant to Grace.'
For kyndely by youre herytage ryght
Ye ben annexed ever unto Bounte;
And verrayly ye oughte do youre myght
To helpe Trouthe in his adversyte.
Ye be also the corowne of Beaute,
And certes yf ye wanten in these tweyne,
The world is lore; ther is no more to seyne.
Eke what availeth Maner and Gentilesse
Withoute yow, benygne creature?
Shal Cruelte be your governeresse?
Allas, what herte may hyt longe endure?
Wherfore, but ye the rather take cure
To breke that perilouse alliaunce,
Ye sleen hem that ben in your obeisaunce.
And further over yf ye suffre this,
Youre renoun ys fordoo than in a throwe;
Ther shal no man wite well what Pite is.
Allas, that your renoun is falle so lowe!
Ye be than fro youre heritage ythrowe
By Cruelte that occupieth youre place,
And we despeyred that seken to your grace.
Have mercy on me, thow Herenus quene,
That yow have sought so tendirly and yore;
Let som strem of youre lyght on me be sene
That love and drede yow ever lenger the more;
For sothly for to seyne I bere the soore,
And though I be not konnynge for to pleyne,
For Goddis love have mercy on my peyne.
My peyne is this, that what so I desire
That have I not, ne nothing lyk therto;
And ever setteth Desir myn hert on fire.
Eke on that other syde where so I goo,
What maner thing that may encrese my woo,
That have I redy, unsoght, everywhere;
Me lakketh but my deth and than my here.
What nedeth to shewe parcel of my peyne?
Syth every woo that herte may bethynke
I suffre and yet I dar not to yow pleyne;
For wel I wot although I wake or wynke,
Ye rekke not whether I flete or synke.
But natheles yet my trouthe I shal sustene
Unto my deth, and that shal wel be sene.
This is to seyne I wol be youres evere,
Though ye me slee by Crueltee your foo,
Algate my spirit shal never dissevere
Fro youre servise for any peyne or woo.
Sith ye be ded-- allas that hyt is soo--
Thus for your deth I may wel wepe and pleyne
With herte sore and ful of besy peyne.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Classic Poetry of Geoffrey Chaucer: A Deep Dive into "Complaint unto Pity"
Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries. The beauty of poetry is that it allows us to express our deepest emotions and thoughts in a creative and imaginative way. One such poet who has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry is Geoffrey Chaucer. Born in the 14th century, Chaucer is known for his insightful and thought-provoking works, including the classic poem "Complaint unto Pity."
In this literary criticism and interpretation of "Complaint unto Pity," we will take a deep dive into the nuances of the poem and uncover its hidden meanings. With a thorough analysis of Chaucer's language, tone, and themes, we will gain a better understanding of the timeless message that he has conveyed through this piece of literature.
The Language of "Complaint unto Pity"
The first thing that strikes us about "Complaint unto Pity" is the language used by Chaucer. The poem is written in Middle English, which is a dialect that was spoken in England during the Middle Ages. This makes the poem difficult to understand for modern readers. However, as we begin to unravel the language, we discover a rich tapestry of words that paint a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions.
The poem is written in the form of a monologue, with the speaker addressing Pity as if she were a person. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to follow:
"To you, my purse, and to none other wight Complayne I, for ye be my lady dere; I am sory now that ye be light, For certes, but ye make me hevy chere, Me were as leef be leyd upon my bere."
In these lines, the speaker is addressing his purse, which he refers to as his "lady dere." He laments that his purse is now empty, which is making him sad. He goes on to say that if he doesn't have his purse, he might as well be dead. The language used in these lines is simple and straightforward, but it conveys a deep sense of despair and hopelessness.
As the poem progresses, the language becomes more complex and nuanced. Chaucer uses metaphors and imagery to evoke powerful emotions in the reader. For example, in the following lines, the speaker compares his situation to that of a ship in a storm:
"The shippes hoppen in the haven bright; Til on a day the bootmen hem beseyn And caryed hem into the depe see, And in the haven took hir mast and takel."
Here, the speaker is comparing his situation to that of a ship in a storm. The ships in the haven are safe, but they are eventually carried out to sea, where they face the danger of the storm. This metaphor is used to convey the speaker's sense of vulnerability and helplessness.
Overall, the language used in "Complaint unto Pity" is rich and evocative. Chaucer uses a variety of literary techniques to create a vivid and powerful image of the speaker's emotions.
The Tone of "Complaint unto Pity"
Another important aspect of "Complaint unto Pity" is the tone. The speaker's tone is one of despair and hopelessness. He is addressing Pity as a last resort, asking her to take pity on him and help him in his time of need. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to follow:
"To you, my purse, and to none other wight Complayne I, for ye be my lady dere; I am sory now that ye be light, For certes, but ye make me hevy chere, Me were as leef be leyd upon my bere."
The speaker is addressing his purse, which he refers to as his "lady dere." He laments that his purse is now empty, which is making him sad. He goes on to say that if he doesn't have his purse, he might as well be dead. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is one of despair and desperation.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's tone becomes more intense. He expresses his frustration with his situation and his anger at those who have caused it:
"Of other force, fyve hundred wol I have, And hem nat paye; God that sit above, In witness of his mercye and his love, Shal atte whiche day be seen apertly, That wil not rerewarden my maltalent."
Here, the speaker is expressing his frustration with those who owe him money. He says that he needs five hundred coins to live, but those who owe him money refuse to pay him. He says that God will witness their cruelty and that they will be punished for it. This expresses the speaker's anger and frustration in a very powerful way.
Overall, the tone of "Complaint unto Pity" is one of despair, hopelessness, frustration, and anger. The speaker is addressing Pity as a last resort, hoping that she will take pity on him and help him in his time of need.
The Themes of "Complaint unto Pity"
Finally, we come to the themes of "Complaint unto Pity." The poem deals with several important themes that are still relevant today. One of the main themes is the idea of poverty and its impact on people's lives. The speaker is lamenting his poverty and how it is affecting him:
"I have no good, where that I may resorte, But unto you with humble herte and sore, My service lowe, my cote, and eek my porte, And eek my sustenance, for aldermore, Ye be my lady, and I am your man."
Here, the speaker is saying that he has no other options but to turn to Pity for help. He offers his humble service, his coat, and his sustenance in exchange for her help. This theme of poverty is still relevant today, as many people around the world struggle to make ends meet and provide for themselves and their families.
Another important theme in "Complaint unto Pity" is the idea of justice. The speaker is frustrated with those who owe him money and refuse to pay him. He says that God will witness their cruelty and that they will be punished for it:
"Of other force, fyve hundred wol I have, And hem nat paye; God that sit above, In witness of his mercye and his love, Shal atte whiche day be seen apertly, That wil not rerewarden my maltalent."
This theme of justice is still relevant today, as people continue to fight for their rights and for justice in an unjust world.
Finally, "Complaint unto Pity" deals with the theme of love. The speaker addresses his purse as his "lady dere," expressing his love and devotion to it. This theme of love is still relevant today, as people continue to express their love and devotion to the people and things that are important to them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Complaint unto Pity" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that deals with several important themes. Through his use of language, tone, and themes, Chaucer has created a timeless message that is still relevant today. The poem's message of poverty, justice, and love is one that continues to resonate with readers around the world. As we continue to explore the world of poetry, Chaucer's "Complaint unto Pity" will undoubtedly remain a classic work of literature that inspires and moves us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Complaint unto Pity: A Masterpiece of Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English literature, is known for his remarkable contribution to the world of poetry. His works are still relevant and admired by readers worldwide. One of his most famous poems is "Complaint unto Pity," which is a masterpiece of medieval literature. This poem is a perfect example of Chaucer's poetic genius and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words.
The poem "Complaint unto Pity" is a short, fourteen-line poem that is written in the form of a ballad. The poem is a lamentation of a lover who has been rejected by his beloved. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with each stanza consisting of seven lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABBCC, which is typical of a ballad.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Pity, who is personified as a lady. The speaker pleads with Pity to have mercy on him and to listen to his complaint. He tells Pity that he is in great distress and that his heart is broken. He then goes on to describe his beloved, who is beautiful and virtuous. He tells Pity that he has loved her for a long time and that he has done everything in his power to win her love.
However, despite his efforts, his beloved has rejected him. The speaker is devastated by this rejection and feels that he has been wronged. He tells Pity that he is not asking for revenge but only for mercy. He begs Pity to have compassion on him and to help him in his time of need.
In the second stanza, the speaker continues his plea to Pity. He tells her that he has lost all hope and that he is in despair. He feels that he has been abandoned by everyone, including his beloved. He tells Pity that he is willing to do anything to win back his beloved's love, even if it means sacrificing his own life.
The poem ends with the speaker asking Pity to have mercy on him and to help him in his time of need. He tells her that he is willing to do anything to win back his beloved's love, even if it means sacrificing his own life. He begs Pity to have compassion on him and to help him in his time of need.
The poem "Complaint unto Pity" is a perfect example of Chaucer's poetic genius. The poem is simple yet powerful, and it conveys complex emotions in a few short lines. Chaucer's use of personification is also noteworthy. He personifies Pity as a lady, which adds a touch of elegance and beauty to the poem.
The poem is also a reflection of the medieval society in which Chaucer lived. Love was a common theme in medieval literature, and the rejection of love was a common occurrence. The poem reflects the pain and suffering that people experienced when they were rejected by their beloved.
In conclusion, "Complaint unto Pity" is a masterpiece of medieval literature. It is a perfect example of Chaucer's poetic genius and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words. The poem is simple yet powerful, and it reflects the pain and suffering that people experienced when they were rejected by their beloved. Chaucer's use of personification adds a touch of elegance and beauty to the poem, making it a timeless piece of literature that is still relevant today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Best Cyberpunk Games - Highest Rated Cyberpunk Games - Top Cyberpunk Games: Highest rated cyberpunk game reviewsBuild Quiz - Dev Flashcards & Dev Memorization: Learn a programming language, framework, or study for the next Cloud Certification
Crypto Merchant - Crypto currency integration with shopify & Merchant crypto interconnect: Services and APIs for selling products with crypto
Cloud Simulation - Digital Twins & Optimization Network Flows: Simulate your business in the cloud with optimization tools and ontology reasoning graphs. Palantir alternative
Learn Ansible: Learn ansible tutorials and best practice for cloud infrastructure management
Recommended Similar Analysis
Sonnet 66: Tired with all these, for restful death I cry by William Shakespeare analysisI Would Live in Your Love by Sarah Teasdale analysis
For The Anniversary Of My Death by W.S. Merwin analysis
A Fever by John Donne analysis
O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell by John Keats analysis
Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Gentlemen -Rankers by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Little Boy Lost, The by William Blake analysis
XVII (I do not love you...) by Pablo Neruda analysis
Heredity by Thomas Hardy analysis