Monday, 24 July
Having spent the last couple of weeks reading and noting from Janet Smarr's edition of Boccaccio's Buccolicum Carmen, I have returned to the Learning Grid to type up the pan scribbled out in my trusty notebook and begin writing.
And this is the worst part of doing my thesis, without a doubt; such dread that flashing cursor inspires, waiting ahead of the Introduction I've to write. I feel as if I can't find any of the threads I let go of when I finished Chapter IV.
I reckon I can give myself until the weekend of the 19–20 August to have this done. After that I'll be too embroiled with moving house and committment to visiting Kate's [and mine] to get anything done until early September at least.
That leaves me one whole chapter still to write — plus introduction, conclusion, corrections and other adjustments — in just one month before my deadline. I have always been aiming for more like Christmas, but trying to balance too much of this project with full–time work in the Autumn won't be easy or fun.
I could do with finishing this chapter in three weeks rather than four, like I did the last one…
24 Jul 2006 12:36
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Tags: Boccaccio Classics Ma Petrarch Research
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July 25 Update:
Actually got 400+ words down after lunch yesterday, which will suffice for now as an introduction. I'm not entirely certain that my premise — that is, that by comparing Petrarch's Bucolicum Carmen with the similar collection of his contemporary one can gain a better understanding of Petrarch's text in its historical context — actually makes sense to anyone other than me. But I'm willing to forgo that doubt for now, for the sake of progress…
25 Jul 2006, 11:23
Janet Smarr
Hi Ian Fielding, I am naturally very curious to see eventually what you are writing re a comparison of Petrarch's and Boccaccio's bucolics. Do let me know when you have something I can read. I gather your main focus is Petrarch, and that Boccaccio is his "historical context," though P is often reluctant to acknowledge his real debts. Anyway, I'm interested in what you're working on.
26 Jul 2006, 06:02
I'm willing to risk looking like a fool to assume you are who you say you are, . =)
Yes, I am focusing on the question of how Boccaccio's collection can help us to define more clearly Petrarch's contribution to pastoral — though I plan to treat as well and to no small extent the question of B's contribution.
You can email me at I.D.Fielding@warwick.ac.uk. Obviously, I've written only a few hundred words of the chapter at the moment but in a few weeks I may [should] have something more substantial for you to read.
Thanks for reading.
26 Jul 2006, 08:34
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