How Chaucer presents Nicholas
How does Chaucer present Nicholas to us in In 'The Miller's Tale', Chaucer uses various methods of language techniques, provocative language, detailed descriptions and the constant use of irony to portray the numerous responses to Nicholas's character that us as readers would obtain.The first description of Nicholas is very detailed and Chaucer uses a number of comparative similes and puns to convey certain qualities of Nicholas's character to a reader. Chaucer uses the term "hende Nicholas" to mean both courteous and to be handy with women. The use of a pun is significant in that it is the first hints to a reader that Nicholas is a character of double personality, which suggests deception and mistrust of his character. Chaucer's audience would have found this pun to describe Nicholas humorous, as a sexual connotation and deceptive quality is implied. As the description of Nicholas continues the readers learn that his character is 'sleigh' and 'privee', meaning cunning and discreet. The use of these two verbs is important as they emphasise deception and mistrust and present Nicholas as a misleading, sly character. The simile 'lyk a mayden' meaning as a virgin is used to convey Nicholas's deceiving
The use of alliteration with the masculine, harsh sounding of the letter 'h' is significant in that it emphasises the insistency of Nicholas's question, and his sincerity so that the Carpenter would believe him. Chaucer uses irony when Nicholas says 'I wol nat lye', the irony is used to re-emphasise to the reader Nicholas's deceiving nature and trickery and mistrust. This insult to the carpenter emphasises how Nicholas views himself as superior to him because he is educated. characteristics and innocent appearance with defies his true sneaky nature. Nicholas makes yet another reference to the Bible, knowing that the carpenter would not question any of the Bible's teaching and would therefore believe Nicholas in whatever he tells him. Nicholas is presented to the reader as very intelligent in that he uses references to the Bible and to God: 'Why, yis, for Gode' Nicholas uses this line knowing that the Carpenter is traditionally religious and would not question anything that the Bible teaches, and would therefore believe Nicholas in what he says. The metonymy of the word 'cat' is also used to distinguish the difference between Nicholas and Absolon, in that Nicholas has the control and will win Alison not matter what. This line is used to show how Nicholas views himself as superior to the Carpenter because of his status as a student and his education. The forward action Nicholas takes with the carpenters' wife, Alison portrays another quality of his character to a reader: 'heeld hire harde by the haunchebones', meaning he ceased her roughly by her private parts. Chaucer continues to show these qualities of Nicholas when the line 'Werk al by conseil, and thou shalt nat rewe', meaning they shall be saved if the Carpenter follows good advice and not his own ideas. Nicholas's intelligence is constantly presented in his ability to trick the carpenter by using various methods for example, exploitation of the carpenter's traditional religious beliefs. Chaucer uses language techniques such as puns, alliteration and comparative similes to convey the deceitful, manipulative traits of his character to the reader. Chaucer re-emphasises Nicholas's deceitfulness and ability to deceive so easily through the alliteration used in the line 'sik soore, and seyde'. His superior attitude to the carpenter's lack of education is also presented in certain lines that he says. Absolon previously wished to be a cat in order to catch Alison, Nicholas is compared to a cat by Chaucer as a reminder to the motives of his plan, which are to sleep with Alison.
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