The Miller's Tale Rewritten

fabliau - They are generally characterized by sexual and scatological obscenity, and by a set of contrary attitudes

moral - Old men should not marry beautiful young women.

setting - Oxford, which is a big university town, which is important because it draws a lot of young men who might try and seduce the carpenter's wife.

Tone - the narrator which is the miller, take an objective tone while telling the story. The miller never tried to hint at when you should be laughing, feeling bad, or feeling happy.

Allusion - There was an allusion to Noah's flood and king Solomon.

motif - Romance, there are three men John, Nicholas, and Absolon were all in love with Alisoun.

    The Miller is a huge person with a red beard, large black nostrils, a big mouth, and big hairy mole right on his nose. He is a lower class citizen that is very strong but not too bright. The miller has a vulgar sense of humor, this is re enforced with his story which relies heavily on vulgarity. The miller uses the tale in order to take a jab at the reeve who is a carpenter.

    There was once a rich old carpenter by the name of John who lived in the town of Oxford. The carpenter rented a spare room to a poor student, who majored in astrology and geomancy, thats a fancy word for fortune telling. The students name was Nicholas, his room was filled with herbs a astronomic-textbooks. In the corner of his room was a harp which he could play beautifully and was frequently complemented. Not too long before this, the carpenter married a beautiful young eighteen year old woman by the name of Alisoun, which he loved dearly and never let out of his sight, because he was very jealous and worried about what a woman like herself would do in a town filled with young scholars.

One day the carpenter left for work in Oseney, while he was gone Nicholas viewed this opportunity as his chance to try and seduce the married Alisoun. When the two were alone Nicholas grabbed Alisoun tightly and proclaimed, “If I cannot have my way with you I will die of heartbreak!” He then pulled her in closer and pleaded, “Oh please love me now or I’ll die!”

Alisoun was very shocked and said, “Unhand me Nicholas! I will not give you a kiss! Let me go now, or I will scream for help, loud enough for the neighbors to hear!”

Nicholas was very persistent and cunning, she eventually gave in and promised to love him, but only when it was safe so that her husband wouldn’t find out. Alisoun was worried that if he were to find out, that he would try and kill her. Nicholas reassured her, “don’t you worry, a young scholar like myself doesn’t have to use much brain power in order to trick a simple carpenter.”  They both agreed to wait for the right moment, kissed, and Nicholas proceeded to merrily play his harp.

A holiday came and Alisoun went to church in order to worship christ, That’s when a clerk named Absolon noticed her. He was a young man with curly blonde hair, he had grey eyes, and wore his clothes very neatly. Absolon was very good at dancing and well versed in many different instruments. This boy was also fond of Alisoun, so much so that when it came to collection, he took nothing from her. From then on he went outside her window every night to serenade her and play the guitar. Alisoun and her husband could hear Absolon but did not acknowledge him. He knew that his love was not enough to woo Alisoun so he began sending her sweet wine, mead, spicy ale, wafers, jars of honey, and even money. But all with no avail because she was in love with Nicholas and only saw Absolon as her own private ape that did as she pleased.

John once again went to Osney, Nicholas grabbed a plate of food, enough to last him a day or two. Before locking himself in his room he told Alisoun that when the carpenter returned to tell him that he had not been out of his room once and that he might be sick, also that the maid had knocked on his door many times but he didn’t answer.

John returned and was baffled to why he had not seen Nicholas for a long while. He sent a servant boy to go check on him, the boy pounded on the door with a heavy brick, but didn’t hear a noise. He looked through a small hole in the door and saw Nicholas laying on his back staring at the sky. The boy returned to John and told him what he had seen. The carpenter believed that Nicholas had seen a terrible future while studying the stars and proclaimed, “God has secrets that we shouldn’t know, and blessed are the simple, we need only to know enough to fulfill our duty to god.”

The carpenter couldn’t but help worrying about Nicholas’s wellbeing, so he and the servant went up stairs to try and force the door open. The two pushed against the door until it came off the hinges and fell to the ground. Nicholas still hadn't moved an inch John went over to him and started to shake him and yell, “get up Nicholas this is not how you should act, this is not how christ would want you to act.”

After much effort Nicholas finally spoke, “must it come to pass, must this world come to an end, go fetch some liquor and I will tell you what is troubling me.”

The carpenter returned with some hard ale and once both of them had their fill Nicholas explained what was the matter, “I have been studying to moon and have found that come monday night it will rain twice as hard as Noah’s flood, the whole world will be gone!” he said.

The carpenter was shocked. “No! My wife!” he exclaimed. “Is she going to drown? No, no, not my Alison! Isn’t there anything we can do?”

“Yes there is,” answered Nicholas “listen very carefully and do as I command, without doubt. You must get three wooden tubs, for each of us and fill each with enough food and drink to last a day, for that is how long the flood will last. Lastly, you will need to tie each one up off the ground in the attic. Keep an axe with you in order to cut the ropes at my command and we will float to safety like Noah’s Ark.” He explained. Nicholas also told him not to tell anyone else and not to ask him why, because it was one of god’s secrets. The carpenter then hurried off to get to work.

Monday night was almost there and the carpenter had done as he was told, before they climbed into their tubs Nicholas had one last request, “tonight we must spent our time in silence using it only to pray, also you and your wife must be spaced apart as to not be tempted to sin, this is gods will.”

They all agreed on this term, and went silently into their tubs. After a long time that the carpenter fell asleep during his prayers. Once Alisoun and Nicholas could hear John snoring, they secretly climbed out of their tubs and into the carpenter’s bed below and made love until just before dawn.

While this was going on Absolon was in Osney with his friends, where he asks if they knew anything about John and Alisoun. His friends said that they didn’t know anything, except that they hadn’t seen the carpenter for a while and that he might be out of town.

“Tonight’s my chance to make it with Alisoun,” he thought, “I will climb up to her window just before sunrise and express my love for her, I should be able to get a kiss at the least.”      

Just before dawn Absolon quickly make his way to Alisoun’s bedroom window, just as he had planned, he softly knocked on the pane and whispered. “Hello? Sweet Alison? Honeycomb? My beautiful bird, my sweet cinnamon? Wake up, my darling, and speak to me. You don’t know how much I want you, how much I need you. I break out in a sweat just thinking about you. I don’t eat, and I melt when I see you. I’m like a lamb that craves its mother’s milk. I’m so lovesick for you that I’m like a lost turtledove without its mate.”

Irritated Alisoun replied, “get away from my window you fool! I am not coming to kiss you, I don’t love you I love someone else! Let me sleep or I will start throwing rocks at you.”

“No, no, do not throw rocks at me,” Absolon pleaded. “Just give me but one kiss as a parting gift and I will leave you be.”

Alisoun agreed, but what he didn’t know was she had no intentions of kissing him. In the dark of night she opened her window panes and stuck out her naked rear end, “your kiss is waiting for you”

Absolon leaned in and kissed deep into her bum, he then jumped back both surprised and disgusted. Furious he quickly went to the local blacksmith and borrowed red hot piece of iron and hurried back to Alisoun’s window. He again asked for another kiss, “may I have another kiss, the first was far to sweet, I cannot resist another.”

instead Nicholas opened the window and stuck out his bare rump ad ripped one. Absolon quickly drove the hot metal into one of the scholars bare cheeks, searing his flesh and melting his fat. Nicholas fell forward and squealed so loud everyone in the neighborhood could hear. It was so loud in fact I awoke the carpenter who, thinking there was a flood cut the ropes to his tub and fell to the ground with a crash.

Alisoun and Nicholas ran into the street calling for help, everyone in the town came to help, but what they found was the carpenter knocked out with a broken arm. When he came to he tried to explain how there was going to be a flood, so he put bathtubs in his attic in order to sail away. Nobody believed him infact everyone laughed in his face, claiming that he was a crazy old man.

“And everyone among them laughed and joked.

And so the carpenter’s wife was truly poked,

As if his jealousy to justify,

And Absolon has kissed her nether eye

And Nicholas is branded on the bum

           And God bring all of us to Kingdom Come.

The Pardoner's Tale Answers

1.) They heard that one of their friends had been murdered by a man named Death, who is also responsible for at least a thousand deaths.

2.) They were in search of the thief, Death, to seek justice for their friend but instead found his treasure trove.

3.) After the rioters discovered the loot pile, instead of informing any authorities, they mutually agreed to keep it for themselves. While the youngest rioter was way gathering supplies, the two oldest agreed to kill the youngest so the wouldn't have to split the loot three ways. The youngest while out bought poison and planned to use it on the eldest, when he returned the eldest killed the youngest and unknowingly consumed the poison, leaving three dead rioters.

4.) After the eldest rioters decided to kill the youngest, I thought that one of the two would end up betraying the other, leaving only one to claim the loot. I was somewhat surprised to read that the youngest rioter had hatched a plan of his own to kill the other two.

5.) The old man is different form the rioters in the way that he is not overly greedy and that is how he got away from them untouched, instead of keeping the loot pile for himself he used it to get away from the rioters by saying that Death was there, but instead it was the treasure that caused his downfall.

7.) Line 94 (verbal irony) the rioters swore to protect each other kill Death, but instead never found Death and killed each other.
(situational irony) The pardoner tells a story about how bad greed is, even though he is one of the greediest pilgrims in the story.
(Dramatic irony) The two eldest rioters unknowingly drink the poisoned wine after killing the third rioter.
Irony is important to a story, because it gives the read more information with out actually saying it and makes writing more interesting.

8.)The black death was killing millions and during the time many people believed that it was an act of god. People were desperate and willing to do or pay anything to get spared or a place in heaven, during their panic people were not looking closely to see if they were being conned.

Wife Of Bath's Tale Answers

1. The knight was originally sentenced to beheading, but after pleading from the women and the queen he was issued a challenge where he had a year and a day to find out what all women most desire.

2. That the first thing she asked of him he would do it,in return for the answer to the question he seeks.

3. The old woman told him what women most desire, "A woman wants self-same sovereignty over her husbands over her lover, and master him; he must not be above her." Which means that women want to be equal to or above their significant other.

4. At first he blindly agrees to what ever the old woman wants in order to save his life, but when he learns that she wants to marry him he fights it but is forced to give in. After their wedding they were in their bed room the knight insulted her appearance and she defended herself from his verbal attacks. The story ended with her giving him the option of being attractive and unfaithful or homely and faithful, he left the decision up to her and in doing so she became beautiful and they lived happily ever after.

5.

7. The conclusion was not satisfying for me, because the conclusion was used to give the wife of bath's and women like her hope to find a young husband. In the end the knight received almost zero punishment and you could even say he was rewarded a wife he didn't know he wanted. He raped an innocent women and the only real repercussion was to travel for a year and learn how to respect women.

8. She has had five husbands all of which are dead.(470-471) she is currently looking for a sixth, her conclusion helps to show that she can get a young even though she is older than most.(433-440) She appears to have a slight feminist mindset, by creating a story where the protagonist has to make a character change by learning to respect women and finding out that all that women want is gender equality. 

10. The Wife of Bath's view on the power of love is very similar to Andreas Capellanus. Capellanus  said that "Love makes an ugly and rude person shine with all beauty." The Wife of Bath reaffirms this when at the end of her story the old woman became beautiful after the knight looked past her looks and kissed her. 

Canterbury Tales, “The General Prologue”

Canterbury Tales, “The General Prologue” (35 points)

You will find below all the pilgrims mentioned in “The General Prologue.” Be able to answer the following:

1. How does Chaucer characterize each one?  Offer two details with line numbers to support this (include figures of speech or Cicero’s aspects of characterization).
2. Describe Chaucer’s attitude toward each pilgrim.
3. Rank this person in the chart at the end of this handout.

Pilgrim	Chaucer’s Characterization	Two Details	Chaucer’s Attitude
The Knight	He had fine horses, but only wore the tunic that he wore under his armor. The tunic was stained from his armor, this suggests that he has just come from battle.	1.He had just finished fighting in Turkey. (67 - 69) 2.He has fought in many countries; Prussia, Lithuania, Russia, North Africa, Granada, Anatolia, along the Mediterranean coast, and most recently Turkey.(53-67)	a very noble and distinguished man.
Squire	The squire has blonde hair with curls, he rides on a nice horse like his fathers (the knight). He was around 20 years old, average height, great strength and agility.	1.He has been in combat with the cavalry in Flanders, Artois, and Picardy.(87-89) 2.He was talented at createing songs and poems as well as reciting them. He also knew how to joust, dance, draw, and write.(97-98)	Chaucer views him as a boy who finds his looks very important and that the main reason he embarks on the pilgramig is to win the favor of a woman. He also acted feminine “He was embrordered like a meadow bright and full of freshest flowers, red and white. Singing he was, or fluting all the day.” (91-93)
Yeoman	He is the knight’s servant. He had a coat, green hood, peacock feather arrows, a brown face, a bow, shield, sword,dagger, a silver medal of St. Christopher, and a hunting horn.	1.He is the only servant that the knight brings with him on his pilgrimage.(103 - 104) 2.by the way he manages his equipment he seems well organized and neat.(109)	Chaucer views him as a forester because of his apparel and weapons, and a good forester at that.
Prioress	She was known as Madam Eglantyne and she spoke a non conventional french. she is described as dainty and very careful with her food as not to drop anything.	1.She has a soft spot for animals and even if a mouse were to die she would cry.(148-149) 2.She owned little dogs, but contrary to the previous statement she had no problem feeding them flesh.(150-151)	He views her as entertaining, pleasant, friendly, and well mannered.
Monk	He is fat, bald, greasy, and personable. He was also very fond of hunting	1.He didn’t follow the rules a monk is supposed to follow. (177-178) 2.He has greyhounds that are very fast and that he spent a lot of money on.(194-196)	The monk is a very enjoyable person and is good at  hunting but is not good at following the rules of a monk, which is his profession.
Friar	The friar is not righteous and is quite greedy. He seems more interested in wealth than god.	1.He begs for money and he is good at it.(256) 2. He knows all the taverns and innkeepers better than anybody else.(244-246)	Chaucer looks down on him for all his misdeeds even though he is a friar and is supposed to be devoted to god.
Merchant	He looks and acts like he is well off as a merchant but few people know that he is really in debt.	1.He thought that there should be sea police.(286) 2.He is very good at hiding that he is in debt.(289-290)	He knows that the merchant is in debt but still thinks that he is smart and good at his job. he also doesn’t know his name.
Clerk	He is skinny and under fed. He has been a student at oxford for many years but doesn’t have a job because he spends all his time reading.	1.Any money that he got from his friends he put towards new books.(309-310) 2.He would happily teach people.(318)	He thinks that the clerk is lazy and thats why he doesn’t have a job.
Sergeant-at-Law	He is a well known judge who is very well versed and studied in law.	1.He talked in a way that made him seem smart.(322-323) 2.He knows every statute by memory.(337)	He respects him and views him as very knowledgeable.
Franklin	He is a wealthy land owner, who lives for wealth and nobility.	1.He lives for pleasure.(345-346) 2.He is a representative for his county.(366)	He thinks that he is only respected for his wealth and that he spends too much money on pleasures.
Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapestry Maker	All well off men who had succeeded in life and married. They were average good doers.	1.they were well dressed but not flashy.(375-378) 2.many think that they should be on the town council.(381-384)	He admires these men who are normal everyday people who have made a living and are prosperous. These traits are the ones that he admires most in a man.
Cook	A very good cook but it is implied that he is a bit disgusting in appearance.	1.He has an ulcer on his knee.(396) 2.He is good at cooking with spices.(391)	He likes the Cook but he does not admire or respect him very much. He views him as a little bit disgusting, but talented at what he does.
Shipman	He’s from the west, he owned a ship called the Modeleuyne and uses it to steal wine. He is money oriented but is also a good seaman and captain.	1.He wasn’t very good at riding a horse.(400) 2.He is a thief.(407-408)	He does respect this man. He views him, even though he does pirate and ignore the law, as a hard working person and an overall good man.
Doctor of Medicine	The doctor was a good doctor. However, he did much of his work by following the stars. He also sold prescriptions to people and made a good profit off it. He is good at making money even if it isn’t in the most honest way.	1.He knew about horoscopes.(426) 2.He wasn’t very religious.(448)	He acknowledges that this man is a somewhat good doctor, however, he does think down on him because of his morals and for not indulging very much.
Wife of Bath	She was a little deaf, very religious, has been married five times, and has been on many pilgrimages.	1.She has been to Jerusalem three times.(473) 2.She wasn’t very attractive.(478)	He admires this ladies cleverness and money. As well as her status in life as a well off woman.
Parson	He is a loyal member of the church, a poor man, and a good person.	1. 2.	He likes this man for his hard work and dedication. However, chaucer does not like the poor very much.
Plowman	The brother of the parson, he was an honest worker and a loyal man of god. He was a good man.	1.The is religious.(545) 2.He didn’t steal and always paid his debts.(551-553)	He also likes this character. he is a hard worker and a good man. He’s not to poor which chaucer admires.
Miller	A massive miller who is dishonest and hot headed. He is motivated by money and greed.	1.He had a hairy wart on his nose.(470) 2.He is a loud and argumentative person.(575-576)	Chaucer does not like this man. He views the miller as rash, tempered, and as not a hard worker because he steals.
Manciple	A man not of noble birth or high stature but a cunning and genius man.	1.He can out smart people higher rank than he.(591-493) 2.well taught in law.(595)	He admires this man for his ability to make money and outsmart any noble or man of higher class than he.
Reeve	Old thin man who oversees his lords lands, he is a carpenter and a very cunning man. He is rich and becomes so by lightly stealing from his lord here and there. However, he cannot be caught because he is so smart.	1. 2.	thinks that this man is very cunning in his ways, however, again he does not like a thief.
Summoner		1. 2.
Pardoner		1. 2.
Host		1. 2.

Best Pilgrims	Worst Pilgrims
1.Knight	1.Friar
2.Parson	2.Miller
3.Plowman	3.Summoner
4.Sergeant-at-law	4.Pardoner
5.Squire	5.Wife of bath
6.Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, and Tapestry Maker	6.Reeve