Miller's Tale Analysis Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Why is the Miller's Tale following the Knight's Tale so significant?

It's an honor following the Knight's tale because of his nobility and the tale's nobility as well.

How does the Miller's Tale relate to the Knight's Tale?

It is a parody of the Knight's Tale, mocking its chivalry with vulgarity and also parodying courtly love.

Who is ridiculed the most in the Miller's Tale?

John the carpenter

Who is the doof and who is the cunning one?

Absalom is the doof and Nicholas is the cunning one. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Reeve have such opposition and angst towards the Miller's Tale?

The reeve happens to be the foolish carpenter in the story and is very choleric. Signup and view all the answers

Why did John marry Alison?

John married her because of her good looks, which would elevate his status and reputation. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Miller secretly want to discredit the Knight?

He claims he is of a higher class, is drunk, and wants to speak his part before the Reeve can discredit him. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Miller's mockery of the Knight reveal about society?

It reveals the human nature to want to tear everyone else down to elevate oneself. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Absalom's behavior/motivation ironic?

He tries to be more courtly with Alison, yet he is still going after a married woman. Signup and view all the answers

What is Nicholas' character and how is it advantageous for him?

He is straightforward and manipulative, giving him an advantage over fools. Signup and view all the answers

How does Nicholas captivate Alison?

He sings a song for Alison about the angel to the virgin, utilizing his knowledge as an astronomer. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the song sung to Alison by Nicholas ironic?

She isn't a virgin or an angel. Signup and view all the answers

Define Juvenalian Satire.

Any bitter and ironic criticism of contemporary persons and institutions filled with personal invective. Signup and view all the answers

Define Horatian Satire.

The voice is indulgent, tolerant, amused, and witty, characterized by gentle ridicule. Signup and view all the answers

Define Farce.

Stupidity at a parody level. Signup and view all the answers

Define Parody.

Play on something; typically funny. Signup and view all the answers

Define Situational Irony.

Incongruity between expectations of something to happen and what actually happens. Signup and view all the answers

Define Dramatic Irony.

An audience's awareness of the situation in a work that the characters don't possess. Signup and view all the answers

Define Bawdy Humor.

Humor that is vulgar, intended to be funny and unexpected. Signup and view all the answers

Define Scatological Humor.

Toilet humor; dealing with defecation, urination, and flatulence. Signup and view all the answers

Define Ridicule.

The subjection of someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language. Signup and view all the answers

Define Verbal Irony.

When words express something contrary to truth or opposite of what they really mean. Signup and view all the answers

Define Pun/Double Entendre.

Play on words with a sexual undertone. Signup and view all the answers

Define Sarcasm.

The use of irony to mock or convey contempt. Signup and view all the answers

Define Innuendo.

An allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically suggestive or disparaging. Signup and view all the answers

Define Hyperbole.

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. Signup and view all the answers

Define Understatement.

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is. Signup and view all the answers

Define Bathos.

An anticlimax, transforming the sublime into the ridiculous. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Miller's Tale in quotes, while the Canterbury Tales is in italics?

The Canterbury Tales is the title of the whole collection, while the Miller's Tale is just one story. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of character does the Knight's Tale most please?

The nobility or the virtuous. Signup and view all the answers

Who does the Host desire to follow the Knight with a tale; why does this character make sense in terms of class?

The Host prefers that the monk tell the next tale, suggesting that church figures follow nobility. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Miller's prologue illustrate his drunkenness?

His lack of shame, stubbornness, disturbing details, and loud, brash authority. Signup and view all the answers

The Host's inn is in Southwark; how does the Miller implicate the Host in his drunkenness?

He says 'if I slander or missay / Blame it on the ale of Southwark'. Signup and view all the answers

If a man that has no wife is no cuckold, then any man with a wife.....

is someone that is being sexually betrayed by his wife. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Miller's advice about trying to control wives or knowing everything about their business?

'A husband must not be inquisitive / Of God, nor of his wife, while she's alive.' Signup and view all the answers

How does Chaucer use the frame narrative to create a sense of realism?

The narrator comments and welcomes the reader to skip ahead, making the tales feel like real entertainment. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of class structure and human nature, what does the Miller represent?

He represents the attitudes and actions of the emerging middle class. Signup and view all the answers

How is John the Carpenter described in the opening?

A wealthy lout who took in guests to board; lived in Oxford. Signup and view all the answers

Cato claims that a man should marry within his class and near his age--what effect does John's break with this philosophy cause?

Alison is young and wild, leading her to have an affair with Nicholas. Signup and view all the answers

Alison is The Miller's parody of the courtly lady; note how color, clothing, and animal imagery abound here.

She wears a white apron, ironic due to her affair with Nicholas. Signup and view all the answers

Examine Nicholas' talents again. How is one of his talents especially complementary to one of Alison's?

Nicholas is an astrologist, and Alison also likes to sing. Signup and view all the answers

What are some details of the Miller's mockery of courtly love?

He mocks that courtly love is thought of as proper, while it is often immoral and vulgar. Signup and view all the answers

How long must Nicholas court the 'reluctant' Alison before they make 'sweet music' together?

Until she is sure the carpenter won't find out. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Miller use Absalom to parody the 'love sick' knight?

Absalom, as a parish clerk, is supposed to live honestly but chases after other men's wives. Signup and view all the answers

How does Absalom court Alison?

He serenades her and buys her gifts, but she rejects him for Nicholas. Signup and view all the answers

Where and how long does Nicholas want to sleep with Alison?

In John's bed for an entire night. Signup and view all the answers

How does Nicholas fool John?

He pretends to be immobile, and John isn't surprised. Signup and view all the answers

What biblical story does Nicholas utilize as part of his plan?

Noah's Ark; he claims a flood is coming. Signup and view all the answers

What three things are the three characters to enclose themselves?

Love, adultery, and habit. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Absalom end up kissing Alison?

Her bottom. Signup and view all the answers

What weapon does Absalom come across on his quest?

A red hot poker, a branding iron. Signup and view all the answers

How does Absalom get revenge?

He pokes Nicholas in the bottom with the branding iron. Signup and view all the answers

After he is poked, what does Nicholas do? How does John react?

Nicholas yells for water, and John grabs his ax thinking the flood has come. Signup and view all the answers

What note does the Miller's Tale end with?

It ends with the thought that everyone is a sinner. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Miller's Tale Overview

Miller's tale serves as a significant contrast to the nobility of the Knight's tale, adding depth to the collection.
Parody of the Knight's tale, mocking chivalry and courtly love through vulgar humor.

Key Characters and Dynamics

John the carpenter is depicted as foolish and hard-working, often fooled by Nicholas, highlighting his pathetic nature.
Absalom is portrayed as the naive character (the doof), while Nicholas embodies cunning and manipulation.
The Miller’s portrayal of the reeve indicates the reeve’s alignment with the foolish carpenter, creating an undercurrent of animosity.

John marries Alison due to her beauty, aiming to elevate his social status despite their significant age difference.
The Miller's desire to discredit the knight reflects competition between social classes, with the miller asserting himself as higher despite his drunkenness.
Miller's mockery of the knight reveals a societal tendency to undermine others in the pursuit of social advancement.

Irony and Humor

Absalom's intentions are ironic, as he attempts courtly behavior while pursuing a married woman.
Nicholas captivates Alison through a romantic song, ironic given her lack of virginity.
Various humor styles are employed, including bawdy and scatological humor, emphasizing vulgarity.

Literary Devices and Styles

Juvenalian satire provides bitter criticism of society, while horatian satire offers light-hearted ridicule.
Situational and dramatic irony drive home the discrepancies between expectations and reality in the narrative.
Verbal irony is present through character interactions, adding layers to the dialogue.

Themes of Marriage and Relationships

Advice on marital control suggests that husbands should not be overly inquisitive, as knowledge can lead to discomfort.
John’s possessiveness towards Alison leads to her infidelity, illustrating dysfunctional marriage dynamics.

Plot Mechanics

Nicholas orchestrates a plan involving a false flood warning, drawing parallels to the biblical Noah and ensuring secrecy for his affair with Alison.
The climax is marked by Absalom's comedic misunderstanding leading to a humorous and embarrassing moment.

Ending and Moral Reflections

The tale concludes with a reminder of universal sinfulness, suggesting a shared human flaw regardless of social standing.
The narrative serves as a critique of romantic ideals, exposing the absurdities within interactions of various social classes.

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Description

Explore the significance and connections between the Miller's Tale and the Knight's Tale through these flashcards. Gain insights into the parody, mockery of chivalry, and the ridicule present in the narrative. Perfect for deepening your understanding of Chaucer's work.