Robert Henryson's Tragic Vision

This study offers the Henryson scholar and the student of literary theory a challenging consideration of the poet's conception of tragedy. Dr. McKenna interprets Henryson as decidedly radical in orientation toward the nature of tragic action and the nature of the tragic protagonist. The poet portrays these figures as having essentially heroic status despite their obvious sins and villainy. The general approach of this study is an evaluation of Henryson's exploration of the hero's confrontation with the existential horror of reality and the extent to which mythological constructs provide tragic action a measure for collective humanity by which meaning can be sought.

Autorentext

The Author: Steven R. McKenna has published critical studies on medieval English and Scottish literature. He is also the editor of Selected Essays on Scottish Language and Literature. He has taught in numerous American colleges and universities, most recently at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, where he is an assistant professor.

Zusammenfassung
"This fresh analysis brings new perspectives to bear on Henryson's tragic vision, probing concepts of the tragic criminal and tragic hero. Questions raised in Henryson's works, particularly 'The Testament of Cresseid' and 'Moral Fables', are explored in McKenna's stimulating examination, leading eventually to that of 'How shall humanity function in this life?' His explorations and answers will challange many accepted notions and present new possibilities for consideration." (Rosemary Greentree, The University of Adelaide)