|
Chaucer
& The Canterbury Tales
This Site Lists Dozens Of Papers & Essays
On Geoffrey Chaucer & His Works!
ne attribute of an exceptional writer has always been the
ability to incorporate the norms and peculiarities that
are inherent within the society that is the setting or
subject of the writing. Under this definition, Geoffrey
Chaucer stood as an exceptional writer of the Medieval era. He writes within the context of the society that
was known to him. Medieval Europe is the setting for The
Canterbury Tales and other classic work. Chaucer is
also able to incorporate the standards, or norms,
as well as the characterization of the belief systems and
the existing institutions of that society into the action
of the Tales.
Geoffrey
Chaucer often depicted the norms of medieval society as
the theme and, or, conflict for the stories in The
Canterbury Tales. The 'Miller's Tale' deals with a man
who has been exposed as a cuckold since he ignores his
young wife's infidelities. The next narrator in Chaucer's
fictional group tries to salvage the honor of men by
recounting a tale of vengeance that culminates in absurd
violence when he tries to gain justice by violating the
wife and daughter of a miller. "In popular culture
cuckolds were sometimes subjected to the ritual of
ridicule known as the "charivari," in which a
group visits "rough music" or some other strong
form of mockery on a chosen victim. Evidently a cruel
delight was taken in exposing the cuckold to communal
laughter. The Miller's Tale, preceded by a wry discourse
on cuckholdry, emanates a spirit of delight. The Reeve,
however, takes the jest personally. In the belief that the
festivity of the Miller's Tale has been at his own expense
(as that of the charivari is at the expense of the
victim), he seeks his revenge. Filled with the malice of
resentment, the Reeve's Tale features males whose
obsession with their own repute, and corresponding dread
of derision, reduce the "noble" value of honor
to an absurd and violent mania" (Justman 21). Chaucer
not only includes the norms of the medieval society but
also a common method of cultural sanctioning by including
an example of the charivari.
Although it is not possible to explore all instances
of Chaucer's reflection of his own society within the
confines of such a relatively small space, this website lists dozens of essays, reports, and model term papers which simplify the complex Medieval literary style, while also offering comparative plot and structural
analyses (as well as covering virtually every aspect of
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales imaginable to the typical
student!). GChaucer.Com also provides in-depth examinations of the unique characters, who continue to bring life to The Canterbury Tales, even though they were created over 600 years
ago! In addition, there are essays on this site about life in Medieval England, which consider, among other issues, the role of women, to provide students with a historical perspective of the times in which Chaucer’s poems and stories were written.
So browse through our list, read descriptions of our many
essays...and find one that will help YOU complete your own
term paper ....
CLICK
HERE to view our list of essays!!!!
Source
Cited: Justman, Stewart. "The Reeve's Tale And
The Honor Of Men."
Studies in Short Fiction,
(1995): December, pp. 21(6).
.
|
|