chaucer; the merchants tale Flashcards
morality and sin
Thesis:
chaucer explores the concept of morality in marriage, particularly mocking the traditional idealistic view of a marriage as a ‘sacred boond’, the various sinful desires such as lust, seceit and infidelity leads to his ultimate downfall and mockery of the senex amens. Januarie seems too bend traditional desires to suit his morals and this parodies damyan who undermines him, this is traditional of a fabilaux.
paragraph 1:
chaucer uses the theme of morality to critique social norms and utilises Januarie as a mockery to possibly highlight the flaws in a Christian marriage.
-“For thogh the feend to hire ycoupled were, She wolde him overmacche” This underlines the themes of mistrust and the inherent suspicion January feels towards women’s fidelity.
The irony becomes evident as the tale progresses, revealing May’s deceitful behavior and January’s blindness, both literal and figurative, to her infidelity. Chaucer uses this to critique the absurdity and hubris in January’s possessiveness and mistrust. Perhaps chaucer is also mocking women and seemingly agreeing that women are to be distrusted and will always have a lack of autonomy.
-critic: Schleusener ‘all good feelings [Chaucer’s] audience might have about love and marriage are demolished’
-Tatlock ‘religion itself is mocked’
paragraph 2:
chaucer critiques the power dynamics in marriage. Januaries attempt to lead and overpower may leads to his downfall. He is unaware that he himself is complicit in immorality by objectifying and controlling May, his moral blindness is prominent.
-“For as good is blind deceyved be As to be deceyved whan a man may se” this highlights the the struggle between moral integrity and sinful inclinations in Chaucer’s narrative. Januarie seems to only se the wrong done by may rather than his lustful and marital desires in order to get into heaven which is rather contradictive. his metaphorical blindness seems suggestive of…
the tale ultimately questios whether true mortality exists in a world driven by personal desires and social expectations.
Marriage and Love
Thesis:
The tale presents marriage as a transactional deed, the act of immorality is rather prominent in the idea of marriage. While love also seems to only be centre around lust and deception. Perhaps Chaucer is mocking the marital views of Christians and the cunning traits of women within a marriage….
Paragraph 1:
Gender
Thesis:
Gender roles and relationships are presented through the interactions and dynamics between the protagonists. The tale presents traditional medieval views on gender and marriage which reflects the social attitudes of Chaucer’s time. Chaucer illustrates the clear stereotypes of marriage and emphasises this idea though the enchants hyperbolic dislike towards marriage and women.
Paragraph 1:
Male authority
Januarie, in particular exercises his authority and control over May. His desire for a young wife reflects the medieval belief in male dominance and female submission.
‘For who can be so buxom as a wyf?’
Januaarie expresses his belief that a wife should be obedient and submissive, highlighting his desire for control in marriage. It is interesting to consider that ‘wyf’ rhymes with ‘knyf’ at the beginning of the poem, perhaps this foreshadows Mays future temptation and deception of januarie which highlights the deception of women and supports the merchants idea that women are not only deceptive but also stereotypical in their ways.
He expects a wide to by ‘fruit of his tresor’, januarie views may as a possession or treasure, expecting her to obey and serve him, refuting male dominance and authority within the marriage. It highlights the roles within a mraaige that Chaucer believes. He evokes his view but perhaps there may be an underlining mockery of januarie and the aristocratic marriages. As we’ll s this ‘fruit’ may parallel Adam and Eve, with many references to the garden of den such as Damian being up a tree when tempting may and the enclosed garden Chaucer may be mocking the religious views of marriage and the roles of men and women, such that women are inferior to men. But some may argue that the garden may be a representation of May, with a symbol of the earthly desires that in particular women endure. The garden could also be a symbol of male control and ownership. Januarie bellies that by creating his private space, he can control and poses may, reflecting the patriarchal view that women are property to be confined and controlled. ‘For though the fend to hire y coupled were,/she olde him overmacche, i dar wel swere’. This higlights mays cunning ability to outsmart januarie (ad even the devil as suggested). It reflects the subversion of traditional elder roles, where may uses the Aden as a space to excercise her agency and resist Januarie control. Her, may seems to prove the previous stereotype of women being deceptive which ultimately concludes that women are deceptive.
Kelly; ‘mutual love between spouses is notably absent’
Perhaps one sided- januarie. His desire for ‘tender youth’ to bring him joy and vitality despite the age difference.
His objectification in the beginning seems to turn into love at some points as their a moments where januarie expresses his fondness or affection towards any, this may be overshadowed by his need for control, his self delusion and lust. Thus it can be argue that his love for may is more about fulfilling his own desires.
