As discussed in the previous episode of Medieval LOLs, fabliaux had an enormous influence on Chaucer, but outside of his work, only one survives in Middle English. Dame Syrith, a story of lust, deception and a mustard-eating dog, is medieval humour at its silliest and most troubling. Mary and Irina explore the surprising representations of old women, magic and consent in fabliaux, the poem’s possible role as a pedagogical tool, and medieval audiences’ obsession with the procuress trope.
Further reading
Irina Dumitrescu: Making My Moan
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v42/n...
Tom Shippey: Women Beware Midwives
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v12/n...
Read Dame Syrith online:
d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/tex...
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