PART-I: CHARACTER SKETCH OF “THE WIFE OF BATH”
In the Prologue to The Wife of Bath Tale, we come across a woman, who in medieval times was regarded as a “wicked Woman” because she had married five times. She gives an account of her five marriages out of which three husbands were good and two were bad. She has been presented as a woman who does not care about what the world says about her character. She lives life on her own rules and if someone criticizes her on her five marriages she rebukes by saying that the holy figures like Jacob and Abraham married so many times so why can’t she? On the other hand, the way she describes her life can be regarded as her confession. She has also been described as a wanton because she used to play sexual games with her husbands. She used to tease them till they succumbed to her wishes. But in all her marriages she was the dominant one. Her character is ironic when it comes to the nature of the women of that time. She is also a very blunt and straight forward woman who does not fear anyone despite the way she is insulted by the society because of her marriages.
PART-II: THE CANTERBURY TALES
The Canterbury Tales revolves around the thirty pilgrims and the tales they tell. Most of these tales are about the characters themselves. But if the tales are analyzed, we come to know that they are a satire on the religious, social and economic aspects of that time. Moreover, Chaucer uses vernacular language while describing the tales as there was not any particular audience for it.
In the time when Chaucer lived, chivalry was considered to be a great asset among the knights. Therefore, the first tale of the Canterbury Tales is that of a knight. Moreover, Chaucer wanted to depict the class consciousness that was so deeply rooted in the people of that era and how that discrimination led to differences not only personal but in every race of life. This has been thoroughly highlighted in many of the tales.
Chaucer wrote these tales when the political and religious scenario of the medieval era was quite dire. Many revolts and clashes were taking place among the clergy and politicians. The idea of pilgrimage shows that people also wanted to have peace where people from different classes came together and talked about themselves. The whole idea was to create a union between the different sects of society and the fact that despite the individuality; everyone could stand united.
At that time, Chaucer wrote mainly for the elite class so the economic motive was there behind the idea of writing The Canterbury Tales. But as he was a renowned poet, he also wrote the tales for himself. It is said that when he wrote The Canterbury Tales, he used to read them aloud for his own pleasure. Therefore, the motive behind writing the famous Canterbury Tales was highlighting the prevalent economic conditions as well as personal pleasure.
PART-III- THE MILLER’S TALE
The Miller’s Tale is a tale about a carpenter John, his wife and a young clerk, Nicholas. The carpenter was old and had married an eighteen year old girl. He was fiercely protective about her. Nicholas, being young and cunning, decided to woo the wife to quench his desire for her. After a little convincing, the wife also agreed to sleep with him. They devise a plan so that they can indulge in their affair without making the husband aware of it.
All the characters of the play exhibit a weak character. John marries a young girl despite his old age. Nicholas woos a girl who is already married and the girl ignores the fact that she is married and has an affair. Another character, Absolon is also an immoral person with no rules and boundaries. Despite their immorality, they are also ridiculous. It can be seen in the way Absolon keeps on singing at night for the girl and how Nicholas comes up with a weird story of flood and Noah. In the end, the dignity which John used to protect so much is left in shatters.
This whole tale takes place at the carpenter’s house. This is John’s turf and in a way his rules are violated when his wife falls in love with a stranger. Moreover, the house is also one’s identity. So when John’s wife has an affair, she literally snatches his identity and in doing so berates herself as well.
The main theme of this tale is immorality. This immorality is also a satire on the women of that time. Their husbands were fighting in the war and to satisfy their own need they used to have affairs or one night stands with other men. Nicholas here represents a knight because not only does he have an affair with a married woman but also the young girl falls for his looks and fake speeches.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canterbury_Tales#Genre_and_structure
http://www.gradesaver.com/the-canterbury-tales/study-guide/section3/
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/section8.rhtml
