List of subjects and tales in Confessio Amantis

This index is based on Macaulay’s marginal notations, which are a running analysis of the contents of the Confessio Amantis, a 33,000-line Middle English poem by John Gower. These have been used for subdivisions of the work in order to break it into smaller, more usable units and to serve as a very rough index of contents.

Some changes from the Harvard version have been made for Wikipedia purposes.
 * links to the Wikipedia version of Gower's stories have been added.
 * spelling of names follows Gower rather than modern usage. (This facilitates searching within CA.)

Prologue

 * Design of the Book; Dedication Pro.1-92
 * Temporal Rulers Pro.93-192
 * The Church Pro.193-498
 * The Commons; Man the cause of Evil Pro.499-584
 * Nebuchadnezzar's Dream; The Empires of the World; The latest Time Pro.585-848
 * Division the Cause of Evil Pro.848-1088

Book I

 * Love rules the world; example of the author Bk1.1-92
 * Author's woful Case; His Complaint to Cupid and Venus; The Fiery Dart; Venus Queen of Love; Genius, the priest of Love Bk1.93-202
 * The Lover's Shrift Bk1.203-288
 * The Five Senses; Seeing Bk1.289-332
 * Tale of Acteon Bk1.333-388.
 * The Tale of Medusa Bk1.389-435
 * Hearing; Prudence of the Serpent Bk1.436-480
 * Tale of the Sirens Bk1.481-529
 * The Sins of the Eye and Ear Bk1.530-574
 * The Seven deadly Sins; Pride; Five Ministers of Pride; i. Hypocrisy; Hypocrisy of Lovers Bk1.575-760
 * Tale of Mundus and Paulina Bk1.761-1076
 * The Trojan horse Bk1.1077-1189
 * Hypocrisy in Love Bk1.1190-1234
 * Inobedience Bk1.1235-1342
 * Murmur and Complaint Bk1.1343-1406
 * Tale of Florent Bk1.1407-1882
 * Surquidry or Presumption Bk1.1883-1976
 * Tale of Capaneus Bk1.1977-2020
 * The Trump of Death Bk1.2021-2274
 * Tale of Narcissus Bk1.2275-2358
 * Presumption of Lovers Bk1.2359-2398
 * Avantance or Boasting Bk1.2399-2458
 * Tale of Albinus and Rosemund Bk1.2459-2680
 * Vain-glory Bk1.2681-2717
 * The Lover's Confession Bk1.2718-2784
 * Nabugodonosor’s Punishment Bk1.2785-3042
 * Humility Bk1.3043-3066
 * Tale of the Three Questions Bk1.3067-3402
 * Humility Bk1.3403-3446

Book II

 * Envy; Sorrow for another man's Joy Bk2.1-96
 * Tale of Acis and Galatea Bk2.97-220
 * Joy for another man's Grief Bk2.221-290
 * The Travellers and the Angel (Greed and Jealousy) Bk2.291-382
 * Detraction; Detraction of Lovers Bk2.383-586
 * Tale of Constance Bk2.587-1612
 * Demetrius and Perseus Bk2.1613-1878
 * False-Semblant Bk2.1879-2144
 * Deianire and Nessus Bk2.2145-2326
 * Supplantation Bk2.2327-2458
 * Geta and Amphitrion Bk2.2459-2500
 * Tale of the False Bachelor Bk2.2501-2802
 * Pope Boniface Bk2.2803-3049
 * Joab and Ahitophel Bk2.3085-3094
 * Nature of Envy Bk2.3095-3161
 * Charity and Pity Bk2.3162-3186
 * The Tale of Constantine and Sylvester Bk2.3187-3530

Book III

 * Ire or Wrath; Melancholy Bk3.1-142
 * Tale of Canace and Machaire Bk3.143-360
 * Tiresias and the Snakes Bk3.361-394
 * Melancholy Bk3.395-416
 * Cheste Bk3.417-638
 * Patience of Socrates Bk3.639-730
 * Jupiter, Juno, and Tiresias Bk3.731-767
 * Cheste Bk3.768-782
 * Phebus and Cornide Bk3.783-817
 * Jupiter and Laar Bk3.818-842
 * Hate Bk3.843-972
 * King Namplus and the Greeks Bk3.973-1088
 * Contek and Homicide; Contek within the Heart Bk3.1089-1200
 * Tale of Diogenes and Alexander; Bk3.1201-1311
 * Contek Bk3.1312-1330
 * Pyramus and Thisbe Bk3.1331-1494
 * The Lover's Confession; Danger; More haste worse than speed Bk3.1495-1684
 * Tale of Phebus and Daphne Bk3.1685-1728
 * Fool-haste Bk3.1729-1756
 * Athemas and Demephon Bk3.1757-1884


 * Tale of Orestes Bk3.1885-2200
 * Lawful Homicide Bk3.2201-2250
 * Evil of War Bk3.2251-2362
 * Alexander and the Pirate Bk3.2363-2438
 * Wars and Death of Alexander Bk3.2439-2484
 * Are Crusades Lawful? Guilt of Homicide; Bk3.2485-2558
 * Peleus Bk3.2547-2557
 * A Strange Bird; Mercy Bk3.2559-2638
 * Tale of Telaphus and Teucer Bk3.2639-2774

Book IV

 * Sloth; Lachesse Bk4.1-76
 * Eneas and Dido Bk4.77-146
 * Ulixes and Penolope Bk4.147-233
 * Grossteste Bk4.234-243
 * The Foolish Virgins Bk4.254-260
 * Lachesse Bk4.261-312
 * Pusillanimity Bk4.313-370
 * Pymaleon and the Statue Bk4.371-450
 * Tale of Iphis Bk4.451-538
 * Forgetfulness Bk4.539-730
 * Demephon and Phillis Bk4.731-886
 * Negligence Bk4.887-978
 * Tale of Phebus Bk4.979-1034
 * Tale of Icarus Bk4.1035-1082
 * Idleness Bk4.1083-1244
 * Tale of Rosiphelee Bk4.1245-1446
 * Idleness in Love Bk4.1447-1504
 * Tale of Jephtha's Daughter Bk4.1505-1614
 * Lovers must approve themselves in arms Bk4.1615-1687
 * Arguments to the Contrary Bk4.1688-1770
 * The Confessor replies Bk4.1771-1814
 * Tale of Nauplus and Ulysses Bk4.1815-1900
 * Examples of Prowess; Protheselai Bk4.1901-1934
 * Saul Bk4.1935-1962
 * Education of Achilles Bk4.1963-2023
 * Prowess Bk4.2024-2044
 * Tale of Hercules and Achelons Bk4.2045-2134
 * Penthesilea Bk4.2135-2164
 * Philemenis; Eneas Bk4.2147-2199
 * Gentilesse Bk4.2200-2291
 * Effects of Love; Love contrary to Sloth Bk4.2292-2362
 * Uses of labour; discoverers and inventors Bk4.2363-2456
 * Alchemy Bk4.2457-2530
 * The Three Stones of the Philosophers Bk4.2457-2603
 * The First Alchemists Bk4.2602-2632
 * Letters and Language Bk4.2633-2700
 * Somnolence Bk4.2701-2759
 * The Lover's Wakefulness Bk4.2760-2890
 * Dreams Bk4.2891-2926
 * Tale of Ceix and Alceone Bk4.2927-3123
 * Sleeping and Waking Bk4.3124-3186
 * The Prayer of Cephalus Bk4.3187-3316
 * Argus and Mercury Bk4.3317-3388
 * Tristesse or Despondency Bk4.3389-3514
 * Tale of Iphis and Araxarathen Bk4.3515-3712

Book V

 * Avarice Bk5.1-140
 * Tale of Midas Bk5.141-362
 * The Punishment of Tantalus Bk5.363-397
 * Avarice Bk5.402-428
 * Jealousy of Lovers Bk5.398-634
 * Tale of Vulcan and Venus Bk5.635-746
 * Belief of the Chaldeans Bk5.746-783
 * Belief of the Egyptians Orus, Typhon and Isirus Bk5.784-834
 * Belief of the Greeks Bk5.835-1496
 * Birth of Venus Bk5.843-859
 * Conception of Romus and Remus Bk5.883-914
 * Apollo Bk5.915-936
 * Mercury Bk5.916-952
 * Vulcanus Bk5.953-966
 * Eolus Bk5.967-980
 * Neptune Bk5.981-1004
 * Pan Bk5.1005-1042
 * Bachus Bk5.1043-1058
 * Esculapius Bk5.1059-1082
 * Hercules Bk5.1083-1102
 * Pluto Bk5.1083-1132
 * Sibeles Bk5.1133-1152
 * Juno Bk5.1155-1188
 * Minerve Bk5.1189-1219
 * Cereres Bk5.1221-1244
 * Diana Bk5.1245-1276
 * Proserpina  Bk5.1277-1302
 * Nereïdes Bk5.1336-47
 * Origin of Idol Worship Bk5.1497-1590
 * Belief of the Jews Bk5.1591-1736
 * The Christian Faith Bk5.1737-1970
 * Coveitise Bk5.1971-2020
 * Tale of Virgil's Mirror Bk5.2031-2224
 * Coveitise Bk5.2225-2272
 * Tale of the Two Coffers Bk5.2273-2390
 * Tale of the Beggars and the Pasties Bk5.2391-2441
 * Coveitise of Lovers Bk5.2442-2642
 * Tale of the King and his Steward's Wife Bk5.2643-2858
 * False Witness and Perjury Bk5.2859-2960
 * Tale of Achilles and Deidamia Bk5.2961-3218
 * Perjury Bk5.3219-3246
 * Tale of Jason and Medea Bk5.3247-4242
 * Tale of Frixus and Hellen Bk5.4243-4382
 * Usury Bk5.4383-4572
 * Love Brokerage; Tale of Echo; Bk5.4573-4670
 * Parsimony Bk5.4671-4780
 * Tale of Babio and Croceus Bk5.4781-4884
 * Ingratitude Bk5.4885-4936
 * Tale of Adrian and Bardus Bk5.4937-5162
 * Ingratitude Bk5.5163-5230
 * Tale of Theseus and Ariadne Bk5.5231-5504
 * Ravine Bk5.5505-5550
 * Tale of Tereus Bk5.5551-6074
 * Robbery Bk5.6075-6144
 * Neptune and Corone Bk5.6145-6224
 * Tale of Calistona Bk5.6225-6358
 * Virginity; Chastity of Valentinian Bk5.6359-6492
 * Stealth and Michery Bk5.6493-6542
 * Stealth of Lovers Bk5.6543-6712
 * Tale of Leucothoe Bk5.6713-6896
 * Tale of Hercules and Faunus Bk5.6807-6960
 * Sacrilege Bk5.6961-7031
 * Sacrilege of Lovers Bk5.7032-7194
 * Tale of Paris and Helen Bk5.7195-7590
 * Sacrilege of Lovers; Divisions of Avarice Bk5.7591-7640
 * Prodigality and Largesse Bk5.7641-7760
 * Prodigality of Lovers Bk5.7761-7844

Book VI

 * Gluttony; Drunkenness; Bk6.1-75
 * Love-Drunkenness Bk6.76-324
 * Jupiter's Two Tuns Bk6.325-390
 * Prayer; Bacchus in the Desert Bk6.391-466
 * Love Drunkenness; Tristram Bk6.467-484
 * Marriage of Pirithous Bk6.485-536
 * Galbus and Vitellius Bk6.537-616
 * Delicacy; Bk6.617-664
 * Love-Delicacy; Delicacy Bk6.665-974
 * Dives and Lazarus Bk6.975-1150
 * Delicacy of Nero Bk6.1151-1227
 * Love-Delicacy Bk6.1228-1260
 * Sorcery and Witchcraft Bk6.1261-1390
 * Tale of Ulysses and Telegonus Bk6.1391-1788
 * Tale of Nectanabus Bk6.1789-2366
 * Zoroaster; Saul and the Witch; Magic to be Eschewed Bk6.2366-2440

Book VII

 * The Education of Alexander; Three Parts of Philosophy Bk7.1-72
 * Theoric (Theology) Bk7.73-134
 * Physics Bk7.135-144
 * Mathematics Bk7.145-202
 * Creation of the Four Elements Bk7.203-392
 * The Four Complexions of Man Bk7.393-489
 * The Soul of Man Bk7.490-520
 * The Division of the Earth Bk7.521-632
 * Astronomy Bk7.633-684
 * Planets and Signs Bk7.685-720
 * The Planets Bk7.721-954
 * The Signs Bk7.955-1280
 * The Fifteen Stars Bk7.1281-1438
 * Aldebaran VII.1310-1318
 * Pliades VII.1320-1327
 * Algol VII.1328 VII.1328-1336
 * Alhaiot VII.1337-1344
 * Canis maior VII.1345-1354
 * Canis minor VII.1355-1362
 * Regulus VII.1363-1370
 * Ala Corvi VII.1371-1378
 * Alaezel VII.1379-1386
 * Almareth VII.1387-1392
 * Venenas VII.1393-1400 Benenais
 * Alpheta Bk7.1401-1408
 * Cor Scorpionis Bk7.1409-16
 * Botercadent Bk7.1417-1424
 * tail of Scorpio Bk7.1425-32
 * Authors of the Science of Astronomy Bk7.1439-1506
 * Rhetoric Bk7.1507-1640
 * Practicique; Five Points of Policy Bk7.1641-1710
 * The First Point of Policy; Truth Bk7.1711-1782
 * King, Wine, Woman, and Truth Bk7.1783-1984
 * Daires Bk7.1783-1984
 * Tale of Alcestis Bk7.1917-1949
 * The Second Point of Policy. Liberality Bk7.1985-2060
 * Tale of Julius and the Poor Knight Bk7.2014-2057
 * Tale of Julius and the Poor Knight Bk7.2061-2114
 * Antigonus and Cinichus Bk7.2115-
 * Discretion in Giving Bk7.2115-2130
 * Prodigality of Kings Bk7.2131-2176
 * Flatterers Bk7.2177-2216
 * Tale of Diogenes and Aristippus Bk7.2217-2317
 * Flattery Bk7.2318-2354
 * The Roman Triumph Bk7.2355-2411
 * The Emperor and his Masons Bk7.2412-2448
 * Caesar's Answer Bk7.2449-2490
 * Flatterers of a King Bk7.2491-2526
 * Ahab and Micaiah Bk7.2527-2694
 * Justice Bk7.2695-2764
 * Justice of Maximin Bk7.2765-2782
 * Gaius Fabricius Bk7.2783-2832
 * The Emperor Conrad Bk7.2833-2844
 * The Consul Carmidotirus Bk7.2845-2888
 * Example of Cambyses Bk7.2889-2916
 * Lycurgus and his Laws Bk7.2917-3028
 * The First Lawgivers Bk7.3029-3061
 * Kings must keep the Laws Bk7.3062-3102
 * The Fourth Point of Policy; Pity Bk7.3103-3162
 * Troian Bk7.3142-3162
 * The Jew and the Pagan in Stafford MS not in Fairfax
 * The Tale of Codrus Bk7.3163-3214
 * Pompeie and the King of Armenia Bk7.3215-3248
 * Cruelty Bk7.3249-3266
 * Cruelty of Justinian and Leontius Bk7.3267-3294
 * Cruelty of Siculus Bk7.3295-3340
 * Dionysius and his Horses Bk7.3341-3354
 * Lichaon Bk7.3355-3386
 * Nobleness of the Lion Bk7.3387-3416
 * Spertachus and Thamaris Bk7.3417-3513
 * Mercy must be without Weakness Bk7.3514-3552
 * The Mountain and the Mouse Bk7.3553-3593
 * There is a time for War Bk7.3594-3626
 * Story of Gideon Bk7.3627-3806
 * Saul and Agag Bk7.3807-3845
 * David and Joab Bk7.3846-3890
 * Solomon's Wisdom Bk7.3891-3944
 * The Courtiers and the Fool Bk7.3945-4026
 * Folly of Roboas Bk7.4027-4146
 * Wisdom in a King's Council Bk7.4147-4166
 * Mercy and Justice Bk7.4167-4214
 * Anthonius Bk7.4181-4188
 * The Fifth Point of Policy. Chastity Bk7.4215-4312
 * Evil Example of Sardana Pallus Bk7.4313-4343
 * Barbarus Bk7.4331-4344
 * David Bk7.4344-4360
 * Cyrus and the Lydians Bk7.4361-4405
 * The Counsel of Balaam Bk7.4406-4468
 * Evil Example of Solomon Bk7.4469-4514
 * Division of His Kingdom Bk7.4515-4573
 * Anthonie Bk7.4574-4592
 * Tarquin and his son Aruns Bk7.4593-4753
 * The Rape of Lucrece Bk7.4754-5130
 * Tale of Virginius Bk7.5131-5306
 * Tobias and Sara Bk7.5307-5365
 * Chastity Bk7.5366-5438

Book VIII

 * Lechery; The Origins of Mankind Bk8.1-66
 * Laws of Marriage Bk8.67-198
 * Examples of Incest; Caligula; Ammon Bk8.199-222
 * Lot and his Daughters; Incest Bk8.223-270
 * Apollonius of Tyre Bk8.271-2018
 * The Lover requires Counsel Bk8. 2029-2062
 * The Confessor replies Bk8. 2150-2148
 * The Controversy Bk8. 2149-2216
 * The Supplication Bk8.2217-2300
 * Venus replies to the Supplication Bk8.2301-2376
 * Venus replies to the Supplication (continued) Bk8.2377-2439
 * The Companies of Lovers Bk8.2440-2744
 * Cupid and the Lover; Bk8.2745-2787
 * The Fiery Dart withdrawn Bk8.2788-2807
 * The Healing of Love; The Absolution Bk8.2809-2897
 * Leave-taking of Venus Bk8.2899-2970
 * Author Prays for the State of England; Bk8.2971-2994
 * Evil of Division in the Land Bk8.2995-3053
 * The Duty of a King Bk8.2971-3105
 * The Book Completed Bk8.3106-3137
 * Farewell to Earthly Love; Heavenly Love Bk8.3138-3172

Gower's Revisions

 * Design of the Book; Dedication CAvarPro.24*-92*
 * Virginity; example of Valentinianus introduced CAvar5.6395*-6439*
 * Tale of Lucius and the Statue CAvar5.7016*-7210*
 * Example of Dante CAvar7.2329*-2342*
 * Pity; example of Alexander CAvar7.3149*-3180*
 * Tale of the Jew and the Pagan CAvar7.3207*-3360*
 * Leave-taking of Venus CAvar8.2941*-2970*
 * Author prays for the King; The King commended CAvar8.2971*-3043*
 * The Author presents his Book to the King CAvar8.3044*-3069*
 * Farewell to Earthly Love; Heavenly Love CAvar8.3070*-3114*