CONTENTS -- Preface -- Abbreviations in the Text and Notes -- Introduction The 'Knight's Tale' in Context -- i. The 'Knight's Tale': the Critical Debate -- ii. Chaucer, Giles of Rome and Medieval Political Theory -- PART I ETHICS: THE GOOD RULE OF THE SELF -- Chapter One The 'Knight's Tale' as Ethics: the Aristotelian Virtues -- i. Chaucer's Theseus: an Exemplar of Virtue? -- ii. The Aristotelian Virtues in Giles of Rome's De Regimine Principum -- iii. Prudence -- iv. Justice -- v. Fortitude -- vi. Temperance -- vii. Liberality and Magnifi cence -- viii. Proper Ambition and Magnanimity -- ix. 'Mansuetude' -- x. Aff ability -- xi. Truthfulness -- xii. Proper Amusement -- xiii. Conclusion: Theseus, Cicero and Aristotle -- Chapter Two The 'Knight's Tale' as Ethics: the Passions and the Ages of Man -- i. The Passions and the Parts of the Soul in Giles of Rome's De Regimine Principum -- ii. The Passions and the Parts of the Soul in the Teseida and the 'Knight's Tale' -- iii. The 'Knight's Tale' and the Ages of Man -- iv. Conclusion: Theseus's Pagan Virtue -- PART II ECONOMICS AND POLITICS: THE GOOD RULE OF OTHERS -- Chapter Three The 'Knight's Tale' as Economics: The Good Rule of the Household -- i. Duke Theseus as 'Animal Domesticum' -- ii. Husbands and Wives: Conquering the 'Regne of Femenye' -- iii. Parents and Children: Theseus and Emily -- iv. Masters, Servants and Possessions -- v. Conclusion: Theseus and the Virtues of the Active Life -- Chapter Four The 'Knight's Tale' as Politics: The Good Rule of the Community -- i. Theseus: True Prince or Tyrant? -- ii. Kingship and Tyranny in Giles of Rome's De Regimine Principum -- iii. Making a Virtue of Necessity: A Tyrant's Plea? -- iv. Counsel and Obedience -- v. Theseus the Vainglorious? -- vi. Justice and Mercy -- vii. Theseus: Bloody General or Prince of Chivalry?.

viii. Conclusion: Theseus's Pagan Lordship -- PART III THE FIRST MOVER AND THE GOOD RULE OF THE COSMOS -- Chapter Five The 'Knight's Tale' as Cosmography: The Good Rule of the Universe -- i. Theseus's Cosmography: Wisdom, Delusion or Opportunism? -- ii. Medieval Cosmography: Order, Diversity and Hierarchy -- iii. The 'First Mover' and the 'Fair Chain of Love' -- iv. The 'First Mover' and the Inevitability of Death -- v. The 'Knight's Tale': from Cosmography to Theodicy -- vi. Conclusion: Theseus's Pagan Wisdom -- Conclusion Chaucer: Literature, History and Ideology -- i. The 'Knight's Tale': Historical Context and Procrustean Criticism -- ii. The 'Knight's Tale' and the Pilgrims' Story-Telling Contest -- iii. 'The 'Knight's Tale' as Ideology -- Bibliography -- Index.