“I have a wyf, the worste that may be,” says the merchant in his prologue of Chaucer’s
Canterbury Tales (E.1218). However, in the beginning of the Franklin’s Tale, the
narrating voice speaks of “the joye, the ese, and the prosperitee / That is bitwixe an
housbonde and his wyf” (F.804-05). This example shows how little unanimity there is
among the characters of the Canterbury Tales when it comes to marriage, be they the
pilgrims or be they the characters within the pilgrims’ tales. The aim of the present
paper is to show the various ways in which Chaucer represents marriage in the
Canterbury Tales. I will refer to The Miller’s Prologue and Tale, The Wife of Bath’s
Prologue and Tale, The Merchant’s Prologue and Tale and to The Franklin’s Tale. The
first three chosen tales show marriage in a deformed shape, as a relationship over which
predominance of one sex over the other and / or a strong economic interest are hovering
and lead to unpleasant incidences. The fourth tale depicts wedlock as an ideal kind of
marriage, a state of mutual connectedness in which values like patience, fidelity,
generosity and nobility can be explored (lecture). I will support those claims with an
analysis of the tales taken each by its own. I will also examine them as interrelated
elements of what is considered a “marriage debate” (Hussey 135). According to this
theory, the Franklin’s Tale is seen as the solution and final element of a debate which
begins with the Wife of Bath and runs through The Clerk’s Tale and The Merchant’s
Tale.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The representation of marriage in The Miller's Tale, The Wife of Bath's Tale, The Merchant's Tale and The Franklin's Tale
- The Miller's Prologue and Tale - Marriage as male mastery
- The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale – Marriage as female mastery and commerce
- The Merchant's Prologue and Tale - Marriage as male mastery, commerce and legitimisation of lust
- The Franklin's Tale - Love and "gentillesse"
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The aim of this paper is to explore the diverse representations of marriage within Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It analyzes how Chaucer portrays marriage through the lens of several tales, highlighting the varying perspectives and experiences of different characters. The paper seeks to demonstrate how these portrayals contribute to a broader "marriage debate" within the work.
- The dynamics of power in marriage (male vs. female mastery)
- The economic aspects of marriage and their impact on relationships
- The different forms of love and their expression within marriage
- The ideals of courtly love contrasted with realistic depictions of marital relationships
- The concept of "gentillesse" and its role in successful marriages
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: The introduction establishes the paper's objective to examine Chaucer's varied representations of marriage in The Canterbury Tales, focusing on four tales: The Miller's Tale, The Wife of Bath's Tale, The Merchant's Tale, and The Franklin's Tale. It contrasts differing perspectives on marriage within the tales, setting the stage for an analysis of how these portrayals contribute to a wider "marriage debate" within the work. The introduction highlights the contrasting views of marriage, from the merchant's negative perspective to the more positive portrayal in the Franklin's Tale, indicating the range of perspectives the paper will explore.
The representation of marriage in The Miller's Tale, The Wife of Bath's Tale, The Merchant's Tale and The Franklin's Tale: This section serves as an overarching framework for the detailed analysis of the four chosen tales. It provides a general overview of how each tale contributes to the overall understanding of Chaucer's depiction of marriage, foreshadowing the nuanced discussion of male mastery, female mastery, economic considerations, and the pursuit of idealized love that will be explored in the subsequent sub-sections.
The Miller's Prologue and Tale – Marriage as male mastery: This section analyzes The Miller's Tale, focusing on the imbalance of power within the marriage of John and Alison. John's jealousy, possessiveness, and age difference compared to Alison create a loveless dynamic. Alison's infidelity, while presented as revenge, highlights the unsatisfying nature of their relationship. The tale contrasts with ideals of courtly love, showcasing the consequences of an unbalanced power dynamic and the lack of genuine mutual affection. The actions of Absolon further emphasize the tale's critique of unrealistic romantic expectations.
The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale – Marriage as female mastery and commerce: This section delves into The Wife of Bath's Tale, emphasizing the Wife's perspective on marriage as a means of acquiring power and economic security. The prologue reveals her pragmatic approach to choosing husbands, highlighting the transactional nature of her marriages. The tale itself reinforces this perspective while simultaneously exploring themes of female agency and control within the constraints of patriarchal society. The Wife's experiences illustrate the complexities of female empowerment within the confines of medieval marriage.
The Merchant's Prologue and Tale - Marriage as male mastery, commerce and legitimisation of lust: This section examines The Merchant's Tale, emphasizing the themes of male dominance, economic manipulation, and the legitimization of lust within marriage. The tale portrays a marriage marked by imbalance and deception, highlighting the negative consequences of prioritizing financial gain and patriarchal control over genuine affection and trust. The tale serves as a cautionary example of the pitfalls of prioritizing material possessions and social status over genuine love and mutual respect within marriage.
The Franklin's Tale - Love and "gentillesse": This section analyzes The Franklin's Tale, presenting it as a contrasting perspective on marriage that emphasizes love, generosity, and "gentillesse." The tale explores the complexities of marital fidelity and the importance of mutual respect and understanding in maintaining a successful relationship. Unlike the previous tales, it portrays a harmonious partnership based on shared values and a commitment to each other's well-being, challenging the more cynical representations of marriage found elsewhere in the Canterbury Tales.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Marriage, Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, male mastery, female mastery, courtly love, economic aspects of marriage, "gentillesse," power dynamics, infidelity, love, fabliau, marriage debate.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of Marriage in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper explores the diverse representations of marriage within Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It analyzes how Chaucer portrays marriage through the lens of several tales, highlighting the varying perspectives and experiences of different characters and contributing to a broader "marriage debate" within the work.
Which tales are analyzed in detail?
The paper focuses on four specific tales: The Miller's Tale, The Wife of Bath's Tale, The Merchant's Tale, and The Franklin's Tale. Each tale offers a unique perspective on marriage, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the theme.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the dynamics of power in marriage (male vs. female mastery), the economic aspects of marriage and their impact on relationships, different forms of love and their expression within marriage, the contrast between courtly love ideals and realistic marital depictions, and the role of "gentillesse" in successful marriages.
How does the paper analyze The Miller's Tale?
The analysis of The Miller's Tale focuses on the power imbalance between John and Alison, highlighting John's jealousy and possessiveness and Alison's infidelity as reflections of an unsatisfying and loveless relationship. The tale is contrasted with ideals of courtly love, showcasing the negative consequences of an unbalanced power dynamic.
How is The Wife of Bath's Tale interpreted?
The Wife of Bath's Tale is interpreted through the lens of female mastery and commerce. The analysis emphasizes the Wife's pragmatic approach to marriage as a means of acquiring power and economic security, highlighting the transactional nature of her marriages and exploring themes of female agency within a patriarchal society.
What are the main points discussed regarding The Merchant's Tale?
The analysis of The Merchant's Tale emphasizes male dominance, economic manipulation, and the legitimization of lust within marriage. The tale is portrayed as showcasing the negative consequences of prioritizing financial gain and patriarchal control over genuine affection and trust.
How does the paper contrast the other tales with The Franklin's Tale?
The Franklin's Tale is presented as a contrasting perspective, emphasizing love, generosity, and "gentillesse." The tale explores the complexities of marital fidelity and the importance of mutual respect and understanding, offering a more harmonious portrayal of marriage compared to the other tales analyzed.
What are the key words associated with this study?
Key words include: Marriage, Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, male mastery, female mastery, courtly love, economic aspects of marriage, "gentillesse," power dynamics, infidelity, love, fabliau, marriage debate.
What is the overall conclusion of the paper?
The paper concludes by summarizing the diverse representations of marriage presented in the selected tales, highlighting how these portrayals contribute to a wider "marriage debate" within The Canterbury Tales. The analysis demonstrates the complexity of marital relationships in Chaucer's work, exploring power dynamics, economic factors, and diverse forms of love and their impact on the depicted marriages.
- Quote paper
- Anne Thoma (Author), 2004, "I have a wyf, the worste that may be" - The representation of marriage in the Canterbury Tales, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22562
