This project was completed in the Spring 2022 section of Dr. Howes’ Chaucer & Affect class. Throughout the semester, we examined Chaucer’s use of affect and emotions in his work. As one of his foundational works, Troilus and Criseyde presents a complex view of courtly love that simultaneously celebrates and critiques how love affects the body. Both characters experience the physical effects of love through the framework of the courtly love tradition, with a key component being its physical effects on the heart. Often, these feelings are painful and they manifest in unique ways for each character. I used Voyant Tools to analyze Chaucer’s use of the herte and wrote a traditional seminar paper, which can be read here.

In November 2022, I presented a paper at the Southeastern Medieval Association’s annual conference, describing my research methodology and showcasing some of my findings- specifically how Criseyde experiences painful sensations in her heart as a result of Troilus’ suffering.

Below, you can view an excerpt from the presentation: “Shot Through the Herte, and Chaucer’s to Blame, Troilus and Criseyde Give Courtly Love a Bad Name.”

The full slide deck is located below. You can also read the presentation script here.