cruel adj.

2022-07-26 cruel

TR4.1695 Fŏr mánnĕs héd y̆mágy̆nén nĕ kán,
TR4.1696 N’ĕnténdĕmént cŏnsídĕre, nĕ tóngĕ téllĕ
TR4.1697 Thĕ crúelĕ péynĕs óf thĭs sórwfŭl mán,
TR4.1698 Thăt pássĕn évery̆ tórmĕnt dówn ĭn héllĕ.
TR4.1699 Fŏr whán hĕ sáugh thăt shé nĕ mýghtĕ dwéllĕ,
TR4.1700 Whĭch thát hĭs sóule ŏut óf hĭs hértĕ réntĕ,
TR4.1701 Wĭthóutĕn móre ŏut óf thĕ cháumbre hĕ wéntĕ.

Line Information

Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
English translation (Windeatt: 1998) (Windeatt: 1998): For the mind of man cannot imagine, nor understanding consider, nor tongue tell, the cruel pains of this sorrowful man, which surpassed every torment down in hell. For when he saw that she could not stay—which tore his soul out of his heart—without anything further he left the room.
Japanese translation (Sasamoto: 2012) (Sasamoto: 2012): 何しろ地獄のあらゆる苦しみを凌駕する、この悲嘆に暮れた男の無残な苦しい痛みについて人間の頭脳で想像もできなければ理解も及ばない、ましてや言葉にすることもできないからだ。彼は彼女が留まることができないと分かると、魂から胸が引ちぎられるような気がしたが、それ以上何も言わずに部屋から出て行った。
Chinese translation (Fang: 1956) (Fang: 1956): 这位不幸的情人所忍受的痛苦是人们所想象不及，理会不得的，也非言语所能形容，真是地狱苛刑都无从比拟。他眼见着这个抽他心魄的宝贝已无法挽留，只得一径走了出去。

Word Information

Etymology: OF
Addresser: Narrator
Addressee: N/A
Adjectives with which juxtaposed: N/A
Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A (but see 4.167)
Noun(s) (NPs) modified: suffering, sorrow or grief (Troilus’s pain)
Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

OED: Not quoted
MED: Not quoted

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

Possible Definitions

attended by suffering

Comments from the Editor

There are no lines that emphasise Troilus’s extreme sorrow in the corresponding part of Fil. Chaucer emphasises the woe of this poor lover. Knowing that he cannot persuade Criseyde to stay, Troilus leaves the room and simultaneously concludes his last private meeting with Criseyde.