1. The Book of the Duchess and Other Poems
A proem is a short introduction, in verse, to the matter and meaning of the rest of the poem. ... This comedic turn shows the difference between the noble, allegorical characters in the story (Alcyone, Juno, Seys) and the realistic, human characters of the poet's world. ... The story of Joseph from the Hebrew Bible would have been known to most people through stories, but the reference to Macrobius's Latin commentary on the earlier Latin writer Cicero's Dream of Scipio was erudite. ... The proem sets the stage for the main story of this poem, the narrator's dream. ... T...
- Word Count: 5753
- Approx Pages: 23
- Grade Level: High School