Journal Article

British Seafaring, Narrative Empathy, and Religious Instruction in the Middle English Patience

Harrison, Perry Neil

2023

Overview

The Middle English poem \"Patience\" by the Pearl Poet expands on the biblical story of Jonah and the whale, particularly focusing on Jonah's disastrous sea voyage. The poet uses familiar maritime language and imagery to ground the narrative in a seascape that would have been recognizable to the audience in fourteenth-century northwestern England. By doing so, the poet creates empathy between the audience and the sailors in the poem, who serve as models for the audience's religious teachings. The poet also contrasts the sailors' heroic struggle to save their lives with Jonah's oafishness and cowardice, highlighting the sailors' moral superiority. The prevalence of seafaring in the Cheshire region, where the poem is set, further enhances the audience's connection to the sailors and their plight. Overall, the poet uses the seafaring narrative to convey important religious messages and encourage the audience to emulate the sailors' virtues.

• Publisher: University of Iowa,University of Iowa, Philological Quarterly
• Subject: 14th century / Audiences / Bible / Criticism and interpretation / Empathy / English literature / English literature, 1100-1485 (Middle English period) / Imagery / Medieval literature / Middle English / Middle English period, 1100-1500 / Narratives / Patience / Pearl Poet (ca 1350-1400) / Poetry / Poets / Portrayals / Psychological aspects / Religious aspects / Religious education / Religious literature / Seafaring (Lifestyle) / Seafaring life / Seamen / Study and teaching / Teaching / Whales & whaling / Writers