The tree bears all the spices found at what Jacques le Goff has called the oneiric horizon, an orientalist fantasy space east of Eden which promised a cornucopia of luxury goods. [7] These are the first details of the garden; then the poem describes the red roses that never fade, wells of spiced wine sweetened with honey, balm and medicinal treacle, and healing water, precious stones and gold. Geese fly around advertising themselves, and larks fly into the mouth, already flavoured with cloves and cinnamon. The satire is somewhat accurate: in 1419 the Munden Chantry priests spent 54s.10d. on spices, more than they spent on average for food in a similar period. [8] The Cockaygne legend, however, proved to be a much more effective component of capitalist than of feudal ideology.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:45:42 +0000
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