bright adj.

  bright 
 TR5.708 Fŭl pále y̆wóxĕn wás hĭre bríghtĕ fácĕ,
 TR5.709 Hĭre lýmĕs léne, ăs shé thăt ál thĕ dáy
 TR5.710 Stŏod, whán shĕ dórste, ănd lókĕd ón thĕ plácĕ
 TR5.711 Thĕr shé wăs bórn, ănd thér shĕ dwélt hădde áy;
 TR5.712 Ănd ál thĕ nýght wépy̆ng, ăllás, shĕ láy.
 TR5.713 Ănd thús dĕspéirĕd, óut ŏf állĕ cúrĕ,
 TR5.714 Shĕ ládde hĭre líf, thĭs wófŭl créătúrĕ.

Line Information

  • Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
  • English translation (Windeatt: 1998): Her radiant looks had grown very pale, and her limbs were thin, like someone who stood all day, when she dared, and looked at the place where she was born, and where she had always lived. And all night, alas, she lay weeping. And so this sorrowful creature led her life like this, despairing of any help.
  • Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012): 彼女の血色よく輝く顔はすっかりと青ざめていき、手足はやせ細っていった、何しろその気になると、一日中立ち尽くし、生まれた所と、ずっと住んでいた場所を打ち眺め、ああ、夜は夜で、夜通し泣き悲しんでいたからだ。こうして手の施しようもなく、絶望して、この悲嘆の人は毎日を送った。
  • Chinese translation (Fang: 1956): 她的脸上无色，四肢消瘦，成天站着望她的诞生之地，她的家园；整夜里她躺着哭泣。这女子如是度着伤心的日子，想不出什么办法。

Word Information

  • Etymology: OA
  • Addresser: Narrator
  • Addressee: N/A
  • Adjectives with which juxtaposed: pale
  • Counterpart in its source (Fil): see 6.1
  • Noun(s) (NPs) modified: complexion (Criseyde’s face)
  • Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

  • OED: Not quoted
  • MED: Not quoted
  • Commented in other previous works:
  • Windeatt (2003: 298): brighte: lovely
  • Fisher (1989): N/A
  • Benson (1987): N/A
  • Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
  • Donaldson (1975): N/A
  • Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

radiant, beautiful, fair

Comments from the Editor

This stanza, which partly follows Fil. 6.1, describes Criseyde’s dishevelled appearance and her sadness at being unable to return to Troy. Besides, in what follows, we are told that Criseyde also misses her time with Troilus. Thus has Chaucer portrayed Criseyde as a victim who has no choice but to remain in Greece.