ENG 2300
OLT
January 10, 2017
Hope Hawke Beamish
Organizing Literary Thought The fact that the author, Geoffrey Chaucer, used humor to help shape and yet mock the reality in society made The Canterbury Tales a very interesting read. While reading through the prologues and short tales, one story seemed to stick the most. My favorite of this book was called the “Millers Tale,” which is both chaotic and entertaining. The story begins with a Carpenter and his divine and fledgling wife named Alisoun. Alisoun has a fearless soul, and a careless type of mind. As a couple, they rent out one of their extra rooms to a scholar named Nicholas. Nicholas, over a short period of time, grows feelings for Alisoun and is shy of showing it. While being married …show more content…
In the meantime Absolon is trying in his best efforts to wow her by singing and trying out a local play. Alisoun still has her eye set on Nicholas. Nicholas is eager to spend one whole night with Alisoun and somehow convinces John there is a tragic flood coming. Nicholas convinces John that sleeping in hanging buckets is the only way to survive. While John assumes others are doing the same, Nicholas and Alisoun spend the night sleeping together and continuing the affair. The best part is when Absalom shows up for a kiss from Alisoun. She then reaches her buttom out of the window for the kiss. Nicholas finds this so hysterical he decides to join in. Only when he sticks his butt out, Absolon stabs him with a hot poker. This results in Nicholas screaming out “Water!” John, hearing the screams, cuts the bucket’s rope to float away from the flood he assumes is here. He then hits the floor, and his loud fall makes him the laugh of the town.
The story is called a fabliau. This is a story that was told by only one person and intended to make people laugh and smile. This is what makes this story go down in history and so memorable. The humorous imagery and setting are nothing more than memorable. I think that the moral of the story is stating that people, especially in this time period, did not get what they deserve. John and Absolon were both great men that got the opposite of what their kind hearts should have.