These are the reflections of a truly good woman, one of endurance, marked by innocence and bruised by obedience. Poet Geoffrey Chaucer's 15th century tale of tales, The Canterbury Tales, is not just a series of stories, rather Chaucer's own ironic depiction of the variety of people, mainly that of the church during that time period. The word "satire" in its noun form is defined by The Oxford English Dictionary as "A poem, or in modern use sometimes a prose composition, in which prevailing vices or follies are held up to ridicule." The Clerk's Tale, in particular seems to be a tale that strays from Chaucer's usual mocking form; it is a tale of extremes. In modern times the tale may appear unrealistic because of the continuous torment that Lady Griselde endures at the hand of her socially elevated husband, Walter. The argument associated with the story seems to be whether the purpose of the work dealt spiritually in the relationship associated with man and God, or if Chaucer truly intended for the piece to reflect and ideal relationship between a man and his wife.
             Within The Clerk's Tale Griselde is tested three times at the hand of her powerful husband. She comes from a lower social class and her personality projects what some would call humility and others stupidity. When it is decided that the two, Griselde and Walter, will be married he requests complete obedience and in reply she pledges herself entirely. "Lord, unworthy though I be/ Of so much honour, so unmerited, If it seems good to you it is to me. And here I promise never willingly/ To disobey in deed or thought or breath/ Though I should die, and yet I fear my death" (Hooper 331). It seems here that the trials begin. Her husband tests her by making her believe that he has killed two of her children, eventually sending her away from him, into the street stripped naked.
             In Jamie Runyan's criticism, &qu...