Love And Marriage In The Canterbury Tales And The Millers...

Love and Marriage Insanities Making sense out of love and marriage ideals is not an easy task, especially as human actions in emotional circumstances do not follow any logic. It is a fact that has been proven consistently over time, across cultures and is also corroborated by many of the stories within Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. In particular, The Knight’s Tale and The Miller’s Tale, that take place in two different social settings, make fun of conventional beliefs about love and marriage in the context of values such as bravery, street smartness, morality, and faithfulness. Through their plots, the narrators’ styles, and the contrast they set up between cherished and practiced values, the two tales highlight that human behavior†¦show more content†¦Are they willing to go to the extremes of killing each other for a woman who at this moment doesn’t represent anything other than an image, symbol or trophy that they’ve seen from a distance? What makes thi s even more bizarre is that Emily doesn’t even want to get married. She prays to Goddess Diana, â€Å"That I would be virgin all my life, / And would be neither mistress, no, nor wife. / ... of thy company, / A huntress †¦ walk the woodlands wild†. (Chaucer 65) Emily doesn’t like a man’s company, prefers hunting and doesn’t want to marry or bear children. This exposes the foolishness of what Arcite and Palamon were up to, even though they supposedly follow all the ideals of aristocratic class such as bravery, honor, bond and courtly love. The Knight’s Tale depiction of love is strongly influenced by its narrator, a knight, and his worldview. In the Prologue, the narrator is introduced as someone who â€Å"... followed chivalry, Truth, honour, generousness and courtesy.† (Chaucer 4) Since in a knight’s world, bravery and physical fights resolve disputes, it is no wonder that in his story, a tournament clash is the best way to settle the rivalry between Emily’s two suitors. She is no better than a trophy to be won in a contest. The King Theseus treats Emily, in the traditions of the aristocratic class, as a gift to win peace and harmony. Even though she apparently doesn t have any say, her suitors try to woo her with flowery language as per their traditions,Show MoreRelatedEssay Immorality in Chaucers Canterbury Tales1646 Words   |  7 PagesChaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, he specifically illustrates through his pilgrims’ stories some comical and realistic events that display immorality in the Middle Ages. There are several characters whose stories are focused on presenting the immorality within their tales. Like that of â€Å"The Miller’s Tale,† and â€Å"The Merchant’s Tale.† Chaucer utilizes these tales to display one specific immoral act, which is sexual sin or lust. 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