The miller tale

The Miller's tale

Of the Canterbury tales

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What are the Canterbury tales?

The Canterubury tales is a colleccetion of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucher in the 14th century. They recount the tales of a group of piligrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury.The Miller 's Tale are is a comc, bawdy, satirical story.

The protagonist

Nicholas: A cunning and deceitful young student. Alisoun: The carpenter’s wife, young and attractive. John: Alisoun’s husband, an older and gullible carpenter. Absalon: A clumsy cleric infatuated with Alisoun.

Plot summary

Nicholas seduces Alisoun. The Flood deception: John builds a suspended boat and sleeps in it. Nicholas and Alisoun consummate their relationship. Absalon tries to court Alisoun but is humiliated when he kisses her "backside." Comic ending: John falls from the boat and is mocked by the neighbors.

Key temes

Love and desire: A satire on adultery and relationships. Deception and cunning: Nicholas uses intelligence to achieve his goals. Grotesque humor: Explicit jokes and physical comedy dominate. Reversal of social roles: The young trick the old, and the cleric is ridiculed.

Literary style

Vulgar language: Rich in double entendres. Lively rhythm: Rhyming verses and an engaging narrative style. Contrast: A stark difference from the more serious tales (e.g., The Knight's Tale). (Add an excerpt in Middle English, if possible, to illustrate the language.)