Abstract
Everyone knows that peacocks are proud. Medieval authors did too, and hence often associated the bird with superbia. To assume that the medieval peacock was always interpreted in a negative light is, however, deeply misguided. This article demonstrates the wide range of peacock meanings, and explores in detail little-known late-medieval associations of the bird with bishops and Popes, and with a specific set of chivalric values. As such it contributes to our understanding both of the cultural history of the peacock, and of medieval animal symbolism more generally.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 145-163 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Modern Language Review |
Volume | 117 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 7 Apr 2022 |