Sir John Clanvowe
The Cuckoo and the Nightingale or The Book of Cupid

I. INTRODUCTION (1-45)

  1. Praise of the God of Love (1-20)
  2. May - love longing - love sickness (21-45)

II. NARRATION: (46-290)

  1. Exposition - characters and setting (46-85)
     
  2. Dream (86-290)
    a) Narrator talks to Nightingale (86-111)

    b) Debate proper (112-215)

Nightingale's speeches

 

Cuckoo's speeches

1st

(112-115)

tedious song

< - >

(116-125)

my song plain, yours vain

2nd

(126-135)

explains 'ocy'
service God of Love

< - >

(136-145)

I do not serve God of Love;
lovers are miserable

3rd

(146-163)

praise of love

< - >

(164-185)

blame of love

4th

(186-195)

benefits of love

< - >

(196-205)

bad qualities of love

Narrator comments upon Nightingale's feelings (206-207)

5th

(208-209)

gives up

 

 

 

Narrator: Nightingale starts weeping (210)

 

(211-215)

lament;
prayer to God of Love

 

 

 

    c) Action (216-289)
         - Narrator chases cuckoo away (216-226
         - Nightingale thanks narrator and takes farewell (227-255)
         - Narrator's prayer to God (?of Love) (256-260)
         - Nightingale summons assembly of birds (261-289)

    d) Narrator wakes up (290)

Survey: Cuckoo & Nightingale
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