List of subjects and tales in Confessio Amantis

This index is based on Macaulay’s marginal notations, which are a running analysis of the contents of the Confessio Amantis, a 33,000-line Middle English poem by John Gower. These have been used for subdivisions of the work in order to break it into smaller, more usable units and to serve as a very rough index of contents.[1]

Some changes from the Harvard version have been made for Wikipedia purposes.

  • links to the Wikipedia version of Gower's stories have been added.
  • spelling of names follows Gower rather than modern usage. (This facilitates searching within CA.)

Prologue

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  • Design of the Book; Dedication Pro.1-92
  • Temporal Rulers Pro.93-192
  • The Church Pro.193-498
  • The Commons; Man the cause of Evil Pro.499-584
  • Nebuchadnezzar's Dream; The Empires of the World; The latest Time Pro.585-848
  • Division the Cause of Evil Pro.848-1088

Book I

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  • Love rules the world; example of the author Bk1.1-92
  • Author's woful Case; His Complaint to Cupid and Venus; The Fiery Dart; Venus Queen of Love; Genius, the priest of Love Bk1.93-202
  • The Lover's Shrift Bk1.203-288
  • The Five Senses; Seeing Bk1.289-332
  • Tale of Acteon Bk1.333-388.
  • The Tale of Medusa Bk1.389-435
  • Hearing; Prudence of the Serpent Bk1.436-480
  • Tale of the Sirens Bk1.481-529
  • The Sins of the Eye and Ear Bk1.530-574
  • The Seven deadly Sins; Pride; Five Ministers of Pride; i. Hypocrisy; Hypocrisy of Lovers Bk1.575-760
  • Tale of Mundus and Paulina[2] Bk1.761-1076
  • The Trojan horse Bk1.1077-1189
  • Hypocrisy in Love Bk1.1190-1234
  • Inobedience Bk1.1235-1342
  • Murmur and Complaint Bk1.1343-1406
  • Tale of Florent Bk1.1407-1882
  • Surquidry or Presumption Bk1.1883-1976
  • Tale of Capaneus Bk1.1977-2020
  • The Trump of Death Bk1.2021-2274
  • Tale of Narcissus Bk1.2275-2358
  • Presumption of Lovers Bk1.2359-2398
  • Avantance or Boasting Bk1.2399-2458
  • Tale of Albinus and Rosemund Bk1.2459-2680
  • Vain-glory Bk1.2681-2717
  • The Lover's Confession Bk1.2718-2784
  • Nabugodonosor’s Punishment Bk1.2785-3042
  • Humility Bk1.3043-3066
  • Tale of the Three Questions Bk1.3067-3402
  • Humility Bk1.3403-3446

Book II

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  • Envy; Sorrow for another man's Joy Bk2.1-96
  • Tale of Acis and Galatea Bk2.97-220
  • Joy for another man's Grief Bk2.221-290
  • The Travellers and the Angel (Greed and Jealousy)[3] Bk2.291-382
  • Detraction; Detraction of Lovers Bk2.383-586
  • Tale of Constance Bk2.587-1612
  • Demetrius and Perseus Bk2.1613-1878
  • False-Semblant Bk2.1879-2144
  • Deianire and Nessus Bk2.2145-2326
  • Supplantation Bk2.2327-2458
  • Geta and Amphitrion Bk2.2459-2500
  • Tale of the False Bachelor Bk2.2501-2802
  • Pope Boniface Bk2.2803-3049
  • Joab and Ahitophel Bk2.3085-3094
  • Nature of Envy Bk2.3095-3161
  • Charity and Pity Bk2.3162-3186
  • The Tale of Constantine and Sylvester Bk2.3187-3530

Book III

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  • Ire or Wrath; Melancholy Bk3.1-142
  • Tale of Canace and Machaire Bk3.143-360
  • Tiresias and the Snakes Bk3.361-394
  • Melancholy Bk3.395-416
  • Cheste Bk3.417-638
  • Patience of Socrates Bk3.639-730
  • Jupiter, Juno, and Tiresias Bk3.731-767
  • Cheste Bk3.768-782
  • Phebus and Cornide Bk3.783-817
  • Jupiter and Laar Bk3.818-842
  • Hate Bk3.843-972
  • King Namplus and the Greeks Bk3.973-1088
  • Contek and Homicide; Contek within the Heart Bk3.1089-1200
  • Tale of Diogenes and Alexander; Bk3.1201-1311
  • Contek Bk3.1312-1330
  • Pyramus and Thisbe Bk3.1331-1494
  • The Lover's Confession; Danger; More haste worse than speed Bk3.1495-1684
  • Tale of Phebus and Daphne Bk3.1685-1728
  • Fool-haste Bk3.1729-1756
  • Athemas and Demephon Bk3.1757-1884
  • Tale of Orestes Bk3.1885-2200
  • Lawful Homicide Bk3.2201-2250
  • Evil of War Bk3.2251-2362
  • Alexander and the Pirate Bk3.2363-2438
  • Wars and Death of Alexander Bk3.2439-2484
  • Are Crusades Lawful? Guilt of Homicide; Bk3.2485-2558
  • Peleus Bk3.2547-2557
  • A Strange Bird; Mercy Bk3.2559-2638
  • Tale of Telaphus and Teucer Bk3.2639-2774

Book IV

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  • Sloth; Lachesse Bk4.1-76
  • Eneas and Dido Bk4.77-146
  • Ulixes and Penolope Bk4.147-233
  • Grossteste Bk4.234-243
  • The Foolish Virgins Bk4.254-260
  • Lachesse Bk4.261-312
  • Pusillanimity Bk4.313-370
  • Pymaleon and the Statue Bk4.371-450
  • Tale of Iphis Bk4.451-538
  • Forgetfulness Bk4.539-730
  • Demephon and Phillis Bk4.731-886
  • Negligence Bk4.887-978
  • Tale of Phebus Bk4.979-1034
  • Tale of Icarus Bk4.1035-1082
  • Idleness Bk4.1083-1244
  • Tale of Rosiphelee Bk4.1245-1446
  • Idleness in Love Bk4.1447-1504
  • Tale of Jephtha's Daughter Bk4.1505-1614
  • Lovers must approve themselves in arms Bk4.1615-1687
  • Arguments to the Contrary Bk4.1688-1770
  • The Confessor replies Bk4.1771-1814
  • Tale of Nauplus and Ulysses Bk4.1815-1900
  • Examples of Prowess; Protheselai Bk4.1901-1934
  • Saul Bk4.1935-1962
  • Education of Achilles Bk4.1963-2023
  • Prowess Bk4.2024-2044
  • Tale of Hercules and Achelons Bk4.2045-2134
  • Penthesilea Bk4.2135-2164
  • Philemenis; Eneas Bk4.2147-2199
  • Gentilesse Bk4.2200-2291
  • Effects of Love; Love contrary to Sloth Bk4.2292-2362
  • Uses of labour; discoverers and inventors Bk4.2363-2456
  • Alchemy Bk4.2457-2530
  • The Three Stones of the Philosophers Bk4.2457-2603
  • The First Alchemists Bk4.2602-2632
  • Letters and Language Bk4.2633-2700
  • Somnolence Bk4.2701-2759
  • The Lover's Wakefulness Bk4.2760-2890
  • Dreams Bk4.2891-2926
  • Tale of Ceix and Alceone Bk4.2927-3123
  • Sleeping and Waking Bk4.3124-3186
  • The Prayer of Cephalus Bk4.3187-3316
  • Argus and Mercury Bk4.3317-3388
  • Tristesse or Despondency Bk4.3389-3514
  • Tale of Iphis and Araxarathen Bk4.3515-3712

Book V

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  • Avarice Bk5.1-140
  • Tale of Midas Bk5.141-362
  • The Punishment of Tantalus Bk5.363-397
  • Avarice Bk5.402-428
  • Jealousy of Lovers Bk5.398-634
  • Tale of Vulcan and Venus Bk5.635-746
  • Belief of the Chaldeans Bk5.746-783
  • Belief of the Egyptians Orus, Typhon and Isirus Bk5.784-834
  • Belief of the Greeks Bk5.835-1496
  • Birth of Venus Bk5.843-859
  • Conception of Romus and Remus Bk5.883-914
  • Apollo Bk5.915-936
  • Mercury Bk5.916-952
  • Vulcanus Bk5.953-966
  • Eolus Bk5.967-980
  • Neptune Bk5.981-1004
  • Pan Bk5.1005-1042
  • Bachus Bk5.1043-1058
  • Esculapius Bk5.1059-1082
  • Hercules Bk5.1083-1102
  • Pluto Bk5.1083-1132
  • Sibeles Bk5.1133-1152
  • Juno Bk5.1155-1188
  • Minerve Bk5.1189-1219
  • Cereres Bk5.1221-1244
  • Diana Bk5.1245-1276
  • Proserpina Bk5.1277-1302
  • Nereïdes Bk5.1336-47
  • Origin of Idol Worship Bk5.1497-1590
  • Belief of the Jews Bk5.1591-1736
  • The Christian Faith Bk5.1737-1970
  • Coveitise Bk5.1971-2020
  • Tale of Virgil's Mirror Bk5.2031-2224
  • Coveitise Bk5.2225-2272
  • Tale of the Two Coffers Bk5.2273-2390
  • Tale of the Beggars and the Pasties Bk5.2391-2441
  • Coveitise of Lovers Bk5.2442-2642
  • Tale of the King and his Steward's Wife Bk5.2643-2858
  • False Witness and Perjury Bk5.2859-2960
  • Tale of Achilles and Deidamia Bk5.2961-3218
  • Perjury Bk5.3219-3246
  • Tale of Jason and Medea Bk5.3247-4242
  • Tale of Frixus and Hellen Bk5.4243-4382
  • Usury Bk5.4383-4572
  • Love Brokerage; Tale of Echo; Bk5.4573-4670
  • Parsimony Bk5.4671-4780
  • Tale of Babio and Croceus Bk5.4781-4884
  • Ingratitude Bk5.4885-4936
  • Tale of Adrian and Bardus Bk5.4937-5162
  • Ingratitude Bk5.5163-5230
  • Tale of Theseus and Ariadne Bk5.5231-5504
  • Ravine Bk5.5505-5550
  • Tale of Tereus Bk5.5551-6074
  • Robbery Bk5.6075-6144
  • Neptune and Corone Bk5.6145-6224
  • Tale of Calistona Bk5.6225-6358
  • Virginity; Chastity of Valentinian Bk5.6359-6492
  • Stealth and Michery Bk5.6493-6542
  • Stealth of Lovers Bk5.6543-6712
  • Tale of Leucothoe Bk5.6713-6896
  • Tale of Hercules and Faunus Bk5.6807-6960
  • Sacrilege Bk5.6961-7031
  • Sacrilege of Lovers Bk5.7032-7194
  • Tale of Paris and Helen Bk5.7195-7590
  • Sacrilege of Lovers; Divisions of Avarice Bk5.7591-7640
  • Prodigality and Largesse Bk5.7641-7760
  • Prodigality of Lovers Bk5.7761-7844

Book VI

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  • Gluttony; Drunkenness; Bk6.1-75
  • Love-Drunkenness Bk6.76-324
  • Jupiter's Two Tuns Bk6.325-390
  • Prayer; Bacchus in the Desert Bk6.391-466
  • Love Drunkenness; Tristram Bk6.467-484
  • Marriage of Pirithous Bk6.485-536
  • Galbus and Vitellius Bk6.537-616
  • Delicacy; Bk6.617-664
  • Love-Delicacy; Delicacy Bk6.665-974
  • Dives and Lazarus Bk6.975-1150
  • Delicacy of Nero Bk6.1151-1227
  • Love-Delicacy Bk6.1228-1260
  • Sorcery and Witchcraft Bk6.1261-1390
  • Tale of Ulysses and Telegonus Bk6.1391-1788
  • Tale of Nectanabus Bk6.1789-2366
  • Zoroaster; Saul and the Witch; Magic to be Eschewed Bk6.2366-2440

Book VII

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  • The Education of Alexander; Three Parts of Philosophy Bk7.1-72
  • Theoric (Theology) Bk7.73-134
  • Physics Bk7.135-144
  • Mathematics Bk7.145-202
  • Creation of the Four Elements Bk7.203-392
  • The Four Complexions of Man Bk7.393-489
  • The Soul of Man Bk7.490-520
  • The Division of the Earth Bk7.521-632
  • Astronomy Bk7.633-684
  • Planets and Signs Bk7.685-720
  • The Planets Bk7.721-954
  • The Signs Bk7.955-1280
  • The Fifteen Stars Bk7.1281-1438
  • Aldebaran VII.1310-1318
  • Pliades VII.1320-1327
  • Algol VII.1328 VII.1328-1336
  • Alhaiot VII.1337-1344
  • Canis maior VII.1345-1354
  • Canis minor VII.1355-1362
  • Regulus VII.1363-1370
  • Ala Corvi VII.1371-1378
  • Alaezel VII.1379-1386
  • Almareth VII.1387-1392
  • Venenas VII.1393-1400 Benenais[4]
  • Alpheta Bk7.1401-1408
  • Cor Scorpionis Bk7.1409-16
  • Botercadent Bk7.1417-1424
  • tail of Scorpio Bk7.1425-32
  • Authors of the Science of Astronomy Bk7.1439-1506
  • Rhetoric Bk7.1507-1640
  • Practicique; Five Points of Policy Bk7.1641-1710
  • The First Point of Policy; Truth Bk7.1711-1782
  • King, Wine, Woman, and Truth Bk7.1783-1984
  • Daires Bk7.1783-1984
  • Tale of Alcestis Bk7.1917-1949
  • The Second Point of Policy. Liberality Bk7.1985-2060
  • Tale of Julius and the Poor Knight[5] Bk7.2014-2057
  • Tale of Julius and the Poor Knight[6]: V.xxiv  Bk7.2061-2114
  • Antigonus and Cinichus Bk7.2115-
  • Discretion in Giving[6]: II.xvi.2-xvii.2  Bk7.2115-2130
  • Prodigality of Kings Bk7.2131-2176
  • Flatterers Bk7.2177-2216
  • Tale of Diogenes and Aristippus Bk7.2217-2317
  • Flattery Bk7.2318-2354
  • The Roman Triumph Bk7.2355-2411
  • The Emperor and his Masons Bk7.2412-2448
  • Caesar's Answer Bk7.2449-2490
  • Flatterers of a King Bk7.2491-2526
  • Ahab and Micaiah Bk7.2527-2694
  • Justice Bk7.2695-2764
  • Justice of Maximin Bk7.2765-2782
  • Gaius Fabricius Bk7.2783-2832
  • The Emperor Conrad Bk7.2833-2844
  • The Consul Carmidotirus Bk7.2845-2888
  • Example of Cambyses Bk7.2889-2916
  • Lycurgus and his Laws Bk7.2917-3028
  • The First Lawgivers Bk7.3029-3061
  • Kings must keep the Laws Bk7.3062-3102
  • The Fourth Point of Policy; Pity Bk7.3103-3162
  • Troian Bk7.3142-3162
  • The Jew and the Pagan in Stafford MS not in Fairfax
  • The Tale of Codrus Bk7.3163-3214
  • Pompeie and the King of Armenia Bk7.3215-3248
  • Cruelty Bk7.3249-3266
  • Cruelty of Justinian and Leontius Bk7.3267-3294
  • Cruelty of Siculus Bk7.3295-3340
  • Dionysius and his Horses Bk7.3341-3354
  • Lichaon Bk7.3355-3386
  • Nobleness of the Lion Bk7.3387-3416
  • Spertachus and Thamaris Bk7.3417-3513
  • Mercy must be without Weakness Bk7.3514-3552
  • The Mountain and the Mouse Bk7.3553-3593
  • There is a time for War Bk7.3594-3626
  • Story of Gideon Bk7.3627-3806
  • Saul and Agag Bk7.3807-3845
  • David and Joab Bk7.3846-3890
  • Solomon's Wisdom Bk7.3891-3944
  • The Courtiers and the Fool Bk7.3945-4026
  • Folly of Roboas Bk7.4027-4146
  • Wisdom in a King's Council Bk7.4147-4166
  • Mercy and Justice Bk7.4167-4214
  • Anthonius Bk7.4181-4188
  • The Fifth Point of Policy. Chastity Bk7.4215-4312
  • Evil Example of Sardana Pallus Bk7.4313-4343
  • Barbarus Bk7.4331-4344
  • David Bk7.4344-4360
  • Cyrus and the Lydians Bk7.4361-4405
  • The Counsel of Balaam Bk7.4406-4468
  • Evil Example of Solomon Bk7.4469-4514
  • Division of His Kingdom Bk7.4515-4573
  • Anthonie Bk7.4574-4592
  • Tarquin and his son Aruns Bk7.4593-4753
  • The Rape of Lucrece Bk7.4754-5130
  • Tale of Virginius Bk7.5131-5306
  • Tobias and Sara Bk7.5307-5365
  • Chastity Bk7.5366-5438

Book VIII

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  • Lechery; The Origins of Mankind Bk8.1-66
  • Laws of Marriage Bk8.67-198
  • Examples of Incest; Caligula; Ammon Bk8.199-222
  • Lot and his Daughters; Incest Bk8.223-270
  • Apollonius of Tyre Bk8.271-2018
  • The Lover requires Counsel Bk8. 2029-2062
  • The Confessor replies Bk8. 2150-2148
  • The Controversy Bk8. 2149-2216
  • The Supplication Bk8.2217-2300
  • Venus replies to the Supplication Bk8.2301-2376
  • Venus replies to the Supplication (continued) Bk8.2377-2439
  • The Companies of Lovers Bk8.2440-2744
  • Cupid and the Lover; Bk8.2745-2787
  • The Fiery Dart withdrawn Bk8.2788-2807
  • The Healing of Love; The Absolution Bk8.2809-2897
  • Leave-taking of Venus Bk8.2899-2970
  • Author Prays for the State of England; Bk8.2971-2994
  • Evil of Division in the Land Bk8.2995-3053
  • The Duty of a King Bk8.2971-3105
  • The Book Completed Bk8.3106-3137
  • Farewell to Earthly Love; Heavenly Love Bk8.3138-3172

Gower's Revisions

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  • Design of the Book; Dedication CAvarPro.24*-92*
  • Virginity; example of Valentinianus introduced CAvar5.6395*-6439*
  • Tale of Lucius and the Statue CAvar5.7016*-7210*
  • Example of Dante CAvar7.2329*-2342*
  • Pity; example of Alexander CAvar7.3149*-3180*
  • Tale of the Jew and the Pagan CAvar7.3207*-3360*
  • Leave-taking of Venus CAvar8.2941*-2970*
  • Author prays for the King; The King commended CAvar8.2971*-3043*
  • The Author presents his Book to the King CAvar8.3044*-3069*
  • Farewell to Earthly Love; Heavenly Love CAvar8.3070*-3114*

Sources

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  • Confessio Amantis at Project Gutenberg (based on Macaulay 1901)
  • Macaulay facsimile edition includes Introduction, Marginal notations and Notes
  • G.C.Macaulay, ed. (1899). Vol 2:The complete works of John Gower. first half of Confessio Amantis(to V.1970)
  • G.C.Macaulay, ed. (1899). Vol 3:The complete works of John Gower. second half of Confessio Amantis (from V.1970)

Other Reading

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References

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  1. ^ G. C. Macaulay; L. D. Benson (2008). "Index to Tales and Subjects in The Confessio Amantis". Harvard University.
  2. ^ Flavius Josephus. "The Perils of Paulina or The Wicked Priests of Isis". University of Texas. Archived from the original on 2015-06-21.
  3. ^ "Greed and Jealousy". Aesop's Fables. A new translation by Laura Gibbs. Oxford University Press (World's Classics). 2002.
  4. ^ G. C.MACAULAY, ed. (1899). The Complete Works of John Gower. Clarendon Press. p. 533.
  5. ^ "Secretum Secretorum Aristotle".
  6. ^ a b Seneca On Benefits.