Special Topic in Medieval Literature and Culture: Hoccleve
Institution
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG)
Book
My Compleinte and Other Poems
This document contains a summary of The Complaint from Thomas Hoccleve's Series (not to be confused with compleynte paramount by the same author), as well as chapter 6 from Ethan Knapp's book The Bureaucratic Muse and seminar notes on the poem.
Lerne to Dye/Learn to Die from Thomas Hoccleve's Series
The Dialogue with a Friend from Thomas Hoccleve's Series
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Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG)
BA English Language and Culture
Special Topic in Medieval Literature and Culture: Hoccleve
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The Complaint 1
Contents
The Complaint – Hoccleve.............................................................................................................1
The Bureaucratic Muse, Chapter 6 – Ethan Knapp.........................................................................3
Seminar..........................................................................................................................................5
The Complaint – Hoccleve
prologue
After autumn and Michaelmas have come, the tree loses her leaves. There is no stability in life, only
change and alteration. Even if a man starts prosperous, it will not endure. He will lose it. No matter
how strong, rich, vigorous and happy you are, you cannot stop change. Hoccleve cannot sleep, for he
is ill with melancholia. The grief in his heart swells, it becomes so big it must burst out.
the complaint
God has not forgotten Hoccleve. Friends promised to go on pilgrimage for his health (let God reward
them). His illness, causing him to hurdle him out of his own self, was known far and wide, it was not
a private matter. And although his memory briefly left him, at All Saint’s day 5 years ago the Lord
restored it. Ever since, Hoccleve has thanked the Lord for his good and gracious reconciliation of his
wit. However, ever since his wit has been restored, he has lived in constant torment and suffering.
People around him did not understand/accept that he was healed. He has lost friends, nobody wants
to talk to him anymore and the world treats him like a stranger.
Often when Hoccleve is in Westminster Hall or London, among the crowds, he saw the faces around
him grow pale and dejected. Those who used to join him now turn their heads away when they meet
him, as if they don’t see him. He cites Psalm 31:11-12. People believe his illness will return,
especially now that Hoccleve is older. However, they cannot know what will happen, only God can.
Whatever happens, no matter what people judge or speculate, is only known to God.
Nobody has certainty that they will stay healthy. God can heal and can hurt. Even when you are in
prosperity, it is a mark of wit to expect/dread a fall from grace. Who pays attention can see that the
world changes and is mutable in different ways.
People said he looked like a wild ox: he carried his head high like one and people believed him to be
well suited to sit in the ranks of those who can give an idiotic opinion since there is no soundness in
his head. After Hoccleve changed the way he walked, people started saying he looked like a doe, 1 not
resting or stopping but completely brainsick. He never stood still, and if he was standing still to talk
to people his eyes kept looking around the room. He always listened to these criticisms and made
sure to reflect upon it. He knew that it was best to leave quickly before he would misbehave in
public and become the laughingstock.
So Hoccleve withdrew, keeping himself hidden away with little reason to be happy. He worked really
hard to look acceptable to society, even though he feels consistently anxious. In his chamber at
home, he examines his reflection in the mirror, looking for bits to change. He practices facial
expressions for in public, so he looks genuine and normal and without suspicion. He tried to think of
ways to bring his troubled spirit to rest but could not come up with any.
Since he recovered, he has often had cause to be angry and impatient, but he bears it calmly and
gently, enduring his suffering, keeping his silence to people won’t think he is ill again. One day, when
1
🎵A deer, a female deer🎵
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