Introduction The Problem and the Possibility Chaucer as an Intellectual Man: A Review Possibility of Chaucer as an Intellectual The Layout of the Book Chapter One Counselor or Critic? Court Poet as Prince-pleaser, Counselor, or Critic? Chaucers Counseling: The Tale of Melibee Between Counsel and Critique: Mirror for Prince Chapter Two Chaucer as a So Commentator Chaucers Position: in and on the Society Writing as So Practice: The Nuns Priests Tale Women in Chaucers Society: Criseyde and Wife of Bath Portraying of Clerics: Prioress, Pardoner, and Parson Chapter Three Entertainer, Edifier and Enlightener The Role of Enlightener: Authority Negotiated Literary Authority and Chaucers Poetic Innovation Masculine Authority vs. Feminine Experience Chapter Four Wisdom and/or Weakness Wisdom in Art: Commenting with Strategies Wisdom in Life: Chaucer and Chinese Shi Weakness or Not? Conclusion Possibility of Transcending Selected Bibliography Primary Sources Secondary Sources