Bestiary, The

Synopsis: The Bestiary is the standard medieval encyclopaedia of animals, laid out like a modern one with a picture of the creature accompanied by information on size, colouring, habitat, gestation periods, and other interesting habits. However since the scribes and artists had never seen many of the creatures, and photography had not been invented, their work provides a medieval looking glass, through which such fabulous beasts as the unicorn and the manticore can be seen. The curious properties of the Sirens’ song and the elephant’s knees are also discussed. Both Chaucer and Shakespeare were familiar with bestiary lore. The video is filmed from one of the handsomest manuscripts in the Bodleian Library.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 28 min.
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Year of release: 1987
Year of production: 1987
Availability: Sale; 1993 sale: £15.00 (+p&p)
Notes: Shakespeare_background
Documentation: Teachers’s notes supplied.
Uses: Students of Shakespeare and medieval literature.
Subjects: Art; Biology; English language and literature
Keywords: animals; illuminated manuscripts; medieval manuscripts; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Cast

Name: University of Lancaster, Department of English Language and Medieval Literature

This record has been viewed 756 times.

British Universities Film & Video Council