Chaucer and the development of the modal auxiliary ought in late Middle English

概要

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Based upon the examination of thirty-seven late Middle English texts（c．１３００―c．１５００）, this paper clarifies the process of the functional specialization of ought,originally the past tense from of owe （＜OE agan ）, as a modal auxiliary of the present tense expressing duty or obligation, and the eventual establishment of the to- infinitive with ought, and thereby argues that the present-day situation with ought, in form as well as in function, was virtually reached by the middle of the１５th century or at latest in the second half of the １５th century, not toward the end of the １５th century as hitherto assumed.