Chaucer's Retraction
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Chaucer's Retraction is the final section of The Canterbury Tales. It is written as an apology, where Chaucer asks for forgiveness for the vulgar and unworthy parts of this and other past works, and seeks absolution for his sins.
- Wherfore I biseke yow mekely, for the mercy
- Of God, that ye preye for me that crist have
- Mercy on me and foryeve me my giltes;/ and
- Namely of my translacions and enditynges of
- Worldly vanitees, the whiche I revoke in
- My retracciouns:/ as is the book of Troilus;
- the book also of Fame; the book of
- The xxv. Ladies; the book of the duchesse;
- The book of seint valentynes day of the parlement
- of briddes; the tales of counterbury,
- Thilke that sownen into synne;/ the book of the
- Leoun; and many another book.
It is not clear whether these are sincere declarations of remorse on Chaucer's part, a continuation of the theme of penitence from the Parson's Tale or simply a way to advertise the rest of his works. it is not even certain if the retraction was an integral part of the Canterbury Tales or if it was the equivalent of a death bed confession which became attached to this his most popular work.
Retractions, often called palinodes, were common in works of this era and the bawdy nature of some of Chaucer's works possibly needed forgiveness. The book of the Leoun seems to be an unknown work by Chaucer. With the retraction he manages to call an end and complete what is otherwise regarded as an unfinished work.