Hood College Chaucerians

Before I rant about my love for this tale, let me just point out a few interesting, important, and substantial things: The use of both Greek gods and the Christian God. The Franklin’s question at the very end about “Who is more free?” Aurelius asks the sun and moon gods for a miracle, but ends up going to a magician instead for an artificial miracle. What is the Franklin’s purpose for telling this tale?  Okay, now for my rant. If I had to choose one of Chaucer’s tales as MY tale, it would definitely be this one. I literally don’t know what else to say except that I love this tale and it is now my all-time favorite! I think I am just glad to finally read some literature this semester that is actually happy and satisfying at the end. We have Arveragus and Dorigen, who are true and faithful to each other and are willing to endure great suffering and death for each other, but who are also quick to forgive and honor each other. Then there is Aurelius, who is kind of stupi...

This was set up to be the best tale yet, but then it barely got started at all. :( In at the halle dore al sodeynly Ther cam a knyght upon a steede of bras, And in his hand a brood mirour of glas. Upon his thombe he hadde of gold a ryng, And by his syde a naked swerd hangyng; And up he rideth to the heighe bord.  (80-85) So there’s my quote. 

Well, clearly the Friar has dug at the Summoner. The animosity between these two men could not be more obvious. In fact, I’m wondering if this is going to turn into a “at-least-I’m-not-as-bad-as-you” battle, though who will really come out on top is the main question. Clearly, in calling out the Summoner and his “evil” deeds the Friar has unexpectedly set himself up for a prideful fall that I really hope happens later. I mean, is the Friar really trying to deflect attention away from his own “lady’s man” ways by focusing the spotlight on the Summoner? Does he honestly think that this going to work? What I found really funny though was that in his tale the Friar tells of a summoner who goes to collect money from a poor old widow without just means, but in the prologue, Chaucer describes the Friar as someone who could preach so well that poor old widows, who may not even had enough for themselves would readily donate to him. Well then. And just like the summoner in his tale, the Friar...

Would you consider the Wife of Bath to be a feminist, despite the fact that one thing she advocates for in her prologue is putting marital control in the hands of wives?

How the heck does Custance get so unlucky as to have the two worst mothers-in-law in the world? I mean really, she’s so nice and great and the guys she gets married to are so loyal to her, but apparently that means nothing to Fate or Fortune or whoever. Anyway, while I was reading, two quotes from the text stood out to me. The first is from Custance as she is about to leave for Syria: “Wommen are born to thraldom and penance, And to been under mannes governance.” (“The Man of Law’s Tale,” I. 286-7) Here, Custance is speaking about how she believes women are meant to be married and submitted to their husbands, according to her Christian beliefs. However, a quote by the wicked Sultaness comes in sharp contrast to Custance’s remarks: "What sholde us tyden of this newe lawe But thraldom to oure bodies and penance…” (“The Man of Law’s Tale,” I. 337-8) Here, the Sultaness is speaking about how Christianity is a religion that will only enslave and submit her and her people. Bu...

Why does Chaucer juxtapose the Knight's tale by following it up with the Miller's tale?