Remaking Boethius. The English Language Translation Tradition of 'The Consolation of Philosophy'.

Book excerpt: Provides a comprehensive inventory of all English translations of the 'Consolatio' of Boethius and supplies basic information on the salient features that interested readers will need in initial phases of research on the large and complex English translation tradition.00This volume is a reference work, organized chronologically in its sections, with a separate entry for each translator?s work. The sections are defined by the type of translations they comprise, whether complete, partial, meters only, etc. The plan of the book is encyclopedic in nature: some biographical material is provided for each translator; the translations are described briefly, as are their linguistic peculiarities, their implied audiences, their links with other translations, and their general reception. Sample passages from the translations are provided, and where possible these are two of the most well-known moments in the 'Consolatio': the appearance of Lady Philosophy, narrated by the Prisoner, and the cosmological hymn to the 'Deus' of the work, sung by Lady Philosophy.