Hood College Chaucerians

What is the significance of the prioress telling this tale, rather than someone else?

"My throte is kut unto my nekke boon," Seyde this child, "and as by wey of kynde  I sholde have dyed, ye, longe tyme agon. But Jesu Crist, as ye in bookes fynde, Wil that his glorie laste and be in mynde, And for the worship of his Mooder deere Yet may I synge O Alma loude and cleere.” (649-655)

He nolde no swich cursednesse observe. Ivel shal have that ivel wol deserve; Therefore with wilde hors he dide hem drawe, And after that he hang hem by the lawe. (631-634) Versus (From general prologue) And sikerly she was of greet desport, And ful plesaunt and amiable of port,... She was so charitable, and so pitous (137-138/143) Tenor gif Keyboard

This tale perplexed me to a certain extent, because I couldn't figure out the monk's motive. I was confused as to why he would promise the wife money, borrow it from her husband, and then get her caught. The wife is an imperfect character; she loses virtue by sleeping with the monk, and he still stings her by telling her husband he gave her the money, forcing her to confess to spending it on lavish things. It's like she's trying to be the trickster but ends up being tricked. But is she really tricked if her husband isn't even that mad? He seems to accept her offer of sexual favors as repayment. Here lies the confusion: who is the "winner"??? This story also seems to reinforce a consistent theme among some of these tales, of money and sex. We've seen this in a few stories now, and "The Shipman's Tale" seems to only perpetuate the question asked pertaining to money and sex and what effect they have on power in relationships. In the end, I w...

The Shipman describes a merchant and his exquisite wife who live in a large beautiful mansion where they throw parties. Right off the bat, I was thinking of The Great Gatsby. The merchant is a frugal man, although his house is lavish. His wife resents his frugality and wishes she had more money to spend on elegant clothing. Daun Jon is a monk who is friends with the merchant and claims that they are related. They swear to a brotherly allegiance, which Daun Jon quickly betrays by taking his money and giving it to his wife, who he also sleeps with. When the wife later tells her husband of what transpired, he decides to forgive her, but demands that she never be so spend-thrifty again. Is the lesson really to be careful how you spend your money and not to be faithful and truthful with your partner? I was expecting the merchant to be upset with his wife for lying to him and having sex with the monk, but he was more worried about his money. https://uppitynegronetwork.com/2013/06/04/the-a...

Why does the Pardoner, who deals with tricking people to make more money, tell a story that condemns such an act? This is an anti-greed tale, but the Pardoner is the greediest guy on the journey.

And with that word it happed hym, par cas, To take the botel ther the poyson was, And drank, and yaf his felawe dynke also, For which anon they storven bothe two. (885-888) (The Lion King, 1994)

"I rede that oure Hooste shal biganne, /For he is moost envoluped in sinne. /Com forth, sire Hoost, and offre first anon, /And thow shalt kisse the relikes everychon, /Ye, for a grote! Unbokele anon thy purs.'" (941-945) http://www.arielesieling.com/blog/2015/selling-stuff-by-authors

Now, goode men, God foryeve yow youre trespas, And ware yow fro the synne of avarice! Myn hooly pardoun may yow alle warice, So that ye offre nobles or sterlynges, Or elles silver broches, spoones, rynges. (904-908)

Though this is a random connection, I thought it worth mentioning... the whole traveling to Orliens thing kind of reminded me of Dr. Strange! Though Aurelius isn’t actively searching for a cure/Solution himself (such as Dr. Strange does), they both find an answer in magic!! Coincidence?? Well...probably... Anyways, I found Dorigen’s proposition to be pretty funny and kind of snarky (which I love)...I mean come on, what did Aurelius really expect to happen when he confessed his love? Overall, I can relate to Amanda’s feelings about this Tale...I like how refreshing it is not to have some huge to-the-death fight over a girl. Though I can’t see why Dorigen would be so worried about the rocks on the coast! Arveragus was able to leave without wrecking so I think he’ll be able to get back...