Chaucer's Works, Volume 2 — Boethius and Troilus

Chaucer’s dual offering invites listeners into two very different worlds, yet both pulse with the same medieval curiosity. In the first section he renders Boethius’s “Consolation of Philosophy” into lively Middle English prose, preserving the original’s dialogue between Fortune, Reason and a personified Philosophy. The translation showcases Chaucer’s skill at turning dense philosophical argument into a conversational trek that feels surprisingly immediate.

The second portion opens the tragic love story of Troilus and Criseyde, set against the backdrop of the waning Trojan siege. Here Chaucer blends courtly romance with a keen eye for human frailty, charting the early bloom of a passionate bond while hinting at the forces that will test it. The narrative’s elegant rhythm and nuanced character portraits make the tale feel intimate, as if the listeners are eavesdropping on whispered vows in a candle‑lit tent.

Together these works provide a rich listening experience: the steady, reflective cadence of Boethius balances the lyrical, emotionally charged verses of Troilus. The language, though historic, carries a timeless cadence that rewards patient ears, drawing you into the mind of a poet who could hold both reason and romance in the same breath.