Translating Lady Philosophy: Chaucer and the Boethian Corpus of Cambridge, University Library MS Ii. 3. 21

The fifteenth-century Boethian compilation, Cambridge University Library MS Ii. 3. 21, brings together major interpretive strands concerning why Lady Philosophy, the dialogue’s authoritative figure, is represented as a woman. Working within the commentary tradition, Chaucer’s Boece presents Philosophy’s “norisschynge” of Boethius as the defining characteristic of Philosophy’s authority, and the fullest expression of all three of her roles as teacher, doctor, and wet-nurse. In so doing, Chaucer treats translation into “our dames tonge” as inextricably feminine and pedagogical.