Upon many levels, the Miller’s tale is a response to the Knight’s tale. This response allows Chaucer the ability to contrast two different ways of looking at the world: ideally and realistically. Both tales are shrouded in irony and humor but the underlying differences can still be seen when contrasting three fundamental properties of society: love, status, and destiny. This paper shall address these contrasts individually as well as in the context of the whole Canterbury Tales.
An analysis of the two characters will best set the foundation for further analysis of the two tales. The knight is described in the prologue as truly perfect, gentle and meek. He values chivalry as well as truth, honor and freedom. He is depicted as somewhat rundown , but this is probably Chaucer’s commenting on the outcome of a person’s life who struggled to uphold these mentioned ideals; if the knight did live by these ideals then he should not care what he looks like. By the description we get from Chaucer in the prologue, the knight seems to be an idealist (however tragically), as his tale later sustains.
According to the prologue, the miller is a churl. He is
. . .
This is all in contrast with the love triangle that is not a love triangle in the Miller’s Tale. Thus, the Miller’s answer for the Knight’s tale of romantic/courtly love is a fabliau totally removed from love. The miller does not even think along these lines. He values his comparative advantage, his strength, and gets what he can with it. Chaucer uses this comparison to apply this idealism to the reader. The Knight’s ideal perceptions of love, social hierarchy, destiny, and personal character are ridiculed by the Miller’s Tale. Deception, earthly desires, and youth tend to rule in the Miller’s tale. Whether this is ideal or not is hard to discern, but it conforms to more of an ideal state than what rules in the Miller’s Tale. Alisoun employs only her beauty to obtain her wants.
Contrast #2: Social Order & Character
Social status is also in contrast in the two tales. This conforms to the social framework of the time; each one is subject to the will of ones higher in the hierarchy. Ideally, the one in power should be able to exert his power and all should abide to his will. Primarily it implies her youth and animal (sexual?) nature. The existence of these gods controlling the fate of men allows a reward system in which man can be rewarded through his actions by turns of fate and devotion to a particular god. Conversely, the Miller’s tale is one based in realism.
Approximate Word count =
1573
Approximate Pages =
6 (250 words per page double spaced)
Simply subscribe to view this paper, and 100,000 others.
| CREDIT CARD |
ONLINE CHECK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOIN BY PHONE
|
|
|
