William Langland's poem Piers Plowman is one of the most popular and widely-studied Middle
English works. This comprehensive readable guide leads the student chronologically through the
entire text and is designed to be read alongside it. Assuming no previous knowledge readers
are introduced to characters plot and argument in way that enables them to enjoy and analyse
the text for themselves.A Guidebook to 'Piers Plowman': clarifies and explores Langland's
thinking contextualises the religious political and social issues he raises details the genres
and sources the poet uses employs up-to-date bibliographical knowledge to offer alternative
critical interpretations and suggest ways of relating these to the poet's key concerns explains
Langland's historical theological and psychological assumptions in helpful inserted text boxes
features illustrations and suggestions for further reading.Concise and approachable this is an
invaluable tool to help students appreciate the originality and modernity of Langland's poetry.
