A machine-readable edition of the text of the Speculum Vitae as attested in British Library MS. Additional 33995, with introduction, glossary and an investigation of claims for the common authorship of the Speculum Vitae and the Prick of Conscience
Date
1988Author
Robinson, Christine Mary
Metadata
Abstract
This thesis contains a machine-readable edition of the text of the Speculum
Vitae as attested in British Library MS. Additional 33995, with introduction and
glossary. Claims for the possible common authorship of the Prick of
Conscience and the Speculum Vitae are investigated firstly by Positional
Stylometry, which provides no useful information. Many lines in the two poems
are found to be similar, but a study of the similar lines casts doubt on their
significance as an indication of common authorship. The study of similar lines
leads to an attempt to define and isolate formulas. Differences between the
poems are found in the use of formulas. Finally, the metre of the poems is
examined and found to be more regular than previously supposed. Differences
are shown in the metrical qualities of the poems. Although it cannot be shown
conclusively that the Prick of Conscience and the Speculum Vitae are by two
different authors, the arguments for common authorship are shown to be
groundless.