gentil adj.

2022-09-02 gentil

TR5.1051 Bŭt tréwĕlý, thĕ stórĭe téllĕth ús,
TR5.1052 Thĕr mádĕ néverĕ wómmăn móorĕ wó
TR5.1053 Thăn shé, whăn thát shĕ fálsĕd Tróĭlús.
TR5.1054 Shĕ séyde, “Ăllás, fŏr nów ĭs cléne ăgó
TR5.1055 My̆ náme ŏf tróuthe ĭn lóve, fŏr éverĕmó!
TR5.1056 Fŏr Í hăve fálsĕd óon thĕ géntĭléstĕ

TR5.1057 Thăt éverĕ wás, ănd óon thĕ wórthĭéstĕ!

Line Information

Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
English translations (Windeatt: 1998): But truly, the story tells us that a woman never lamented more than she did when she betrayed Troilus. ‘Alas,’ she said, ‘for now my name for loyalty in love is completely gone forever more! For I have betrayed the noblest man that ever was, and the most deserving!
Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): しかし、実際には、その物語が語ることによると、クリセイデがトロイルスを裏切った時、彼女ほど悲しんだ女性は未だかつていなかったといわれている。クリセイデは言った。「ああ、愛の誠を尽くしたわたしの名は、今完全に消え去ったわ、いや永遠に消え去ったわ！何しろわたしは、古今にいないとりわけあんなに優しいお方を、しかもとりわけ一番立派なお方を裏切ってしまったのですもの！
Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 然而古书上说，他对特罗勒斯变心之际，曾经哭泣，据说天下没有一个能像她那样悲恸的。“呀！”她道，“我的坚贞的声誉就此一败涂地了！我辜负了一位最温和，最可尊崇的情人！

Word Information

Etymology: OF&L
Addresser: Criseyde
Addressee: N/A
Adjectives with which juxtaposed: worthy
Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
Noun(s) (NPs) modified: human beings (male: Troilus)
Attributive/ Predicative: attributive

Information in Previous Studies

OED: Not quoted
MED: (Quoted) 2. (a) Having the character or manners prescribed by the ideals of chivalry or Christianity; noble, kind, gracious, etc.; (s.v. ǧentī̆l, adj.)

Commented in other previous works:
Windeatt (2003: 313): oon the gentileste: the noblest
Fisher (1989: 520): oon the gentileste: the noblest
Benson (1987): N/A
Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
Donaldson (1975): N/A
Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

noble, kind, gracious

Comments from the Editor

This scene (4.1051–85) does not appear in Fil. The “story” Chaucer mentions may refer to Benoit’s Troie (see from 20237).