Publisher's Synopsis
Medieval epics are an essential point of departure for anyone interested in the study of literature. In this book, Kenneth Varty creates a fabulous resource for one of the most important medieval French epics, the Roman de Renart, which significantly influenced later authors such as Chaucer, and eventually spread throughout the world. The appeal of the Renart story is apparent in the wide number of languages into which it has been translated. Varty has provided a comprehensive guide to the large amount of scholarly work that has appeared pertaining to the Roman de Renart. The guide not only details the evolution of various manuscripts and their present locations, but also provides information concerning translations, adaptations, scholarly and critical studies, and facsimile editions. The Renart story's various manifestations as compact discs, cassettes, and cartoons, as well as its appeal to general readers, particularly infants and children, is also discussed. Additionally, special efforts have been taken by Varty to include collector's items and describe the quality of objects. Contains an updated bibliography of scholarly work completed to the present on the Roman de Renart. The section on critical work contains more than 600 separate items. The book also includes descriptions and comments on the scope of every entry, and often evaluates their value. This guide is useful for the dedicated literary scholar and those attempting to trace the influence of this exciting medieval epic upon the world of literature.
