fals adj.

2022-08-30 fals

TR5.379 “Wěl wórthe ǒf dréměs áy thǐse óldě wívěs,
TR5.380 Ǎnd tréwelǐche ék ǎugúry̌e óf thǐse fówlěs,
TR5.381 Fǒr fére ǒf whích měn wéněn lése hěre lývěs,
TR5.382 Ǎs réveněs quálm, ǒr shríchy̌ng óf thǐse ówlěs.
TR5.383 Tǒ trówěn ón ǐt bóthě fáls ǎnd fóul ǐs.
TR5.384 Ǎllás, ǎllás, sǒ nóble ǎ créǎtúrě
TR5.385 Ǎs ís ǎ mán shǎl dréděn swích ǒrdúrě!

Line Information

Differences among the manuscripts and editions:
English translations (Windeatt: 1998): Dreams are all very well for old women, and truly, divination from the birds as well—such as the croaking of ravens, or screeching of these owls—for fear of which men think they’ll lose their lives. Believing in it is both mistaken and shameful. Alas, alas, that such a noble creature as is man should fear such rubbish!
Japanese translations (Sasamoto: 2012): 夢判断なんていつも老婆にこそ相応しいのです、そして鳥の占いも然りです、例えば鴉の不吉な鳴き声とか、梟の甲高い耳障りな鳴き声のように、人はその恐怖心のために生命を落とすのではないかと思うのです。それを信じるのは間違っていますし、汚らわしいですよ。ああ、ああ、人間の如き高貴な創造物がそのようなたわけたことを恐れるとは！
Chinese translations (Fang: 1956): 只有老妇们爱谈梦，或以鸟占吉凶，如乌鸦报死，枭鸟告灾，人们听了就认为命不可保。若相信这些话，不但无聊，并且可鄙。呀，人为万物之灵，竟而懦怯低贱至于如此！

Word Information

Etymology: L&OF
Addresser: Pandarus
Addressee: Troilus
Adjectives with which juxtaposed: foul
Counterpart in its source (Fil): N/A
Noun(s) (NPs) modified: Others (to believe in dreams)
Attributive/ Predicative: predicative

Information in Previous Studies

OED: Not quoted
MED: Not quoted

Commented in other previous works:
Windeatt (2003: 285): fals: wrong
Fisher (1989): N/A
Benson (1987): N/A
Davis et al. (1979): Not quoted
Donaldson (1975): N/A
Baugh (1963): N/A

Possible Definitions

untrue, wrong

Comments from the Editor

In 5.360–384, Pandarus discusses why dreams are worthless in detail. He introduces the words of priests, doctors, and others who claim that dreams are merely illusions. He insists that there are various reasons dreams occur, including physical conditions and the phases of the moon. Chaucer also includes a discussion of dreams in his other works; for instance, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale (from line 2882).