Adapting the Roman de la Rose: Was the Middle Dutch Adaptor Careless or Ambitious?

What is it about?

Critics have argued that the Middle Dutch adaptor of the Roman de la Rose misunderstood sections of the text and therefore translated and adapted them carelessly or even mistakenly. This article argues instead that the adaptor understood the original text perfectly well and inserted himself into his adaptation as the author of the poem in a perfectly coherent and consistent manner.

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Why is it important?

This changes the reading of the Middle Dutch adaptation as well as illuminating wider practices of translation and adaptation both at this time and to the present day.