ABSTRACT
The general, introductory studies relevant to Geoffrey Chaucer’s translation include Hugh Fraser Stewart’s Essay. The classic study of Chaucer’s Middle English vernacular translation of the Consolatio is Bernard L. Jefferson’s book. It gives no historical account of the Boece, but rather a close textual analysis. The Middle-English Consolatio translation by John Walton--a verse rendering based on Chaucer’s prose, the original Latin text, and Trevet’s commentary--demands particular attention. Only one other Middle English translation of Boethius’ last work has been found. It is completely obscure, being mentioned almost in passing by Fehlauer in his survey of medieval English Consolatio translations. Problems pertaining to the influence of Chaucer’s Boece and problems concerning the other Middle English Consolatio translations are closely related. Walton’s work has been appropriately studied in relationship to Chaucer’s; unfortunately, the originality and quality of Walton’s verses have been frequently overlooked.
