Summary Flashcards
Who is January in The Merchant’s Tale?
A wealthy, elderly knight who decides to marry
January desires to fulfil God’s wish for marriage and wants a son to inherit his estates.
What advice does Justinius give to January?
He argues against marriage, highlighting the unfaithfulness of women
Justinius represents a voice of caution regarding marriage.
Who is May?
A beautiful virgin chosen by January to be his wife
May symbolises youth and beauty in contrast to January’s old age.
What is Damian’s relationship to May?
He is a handsome youth who falls in love with her
His unrequited love for May leads to significant plot developments.
What happens to January that affects his relationship with May?
He becomes suddenly stricken blind
His blindness leads to increased dependency on May and sets the stage for the plot’s climax.
What does May give to Damian?
A wax impression of a key to January’s secret garden
This action facilitates their secret rendezvous.
What significant event occurs involving Pluto and Proserpina?
They discuss January and May’s situation, and Pluto agrees to restore January’s sight
Pluto’s actions reflect the theme of deception in relationships.
What is the ‘Pear-Tree episode’?
The moment when May leads January to the pear tree for a secret encounter with Damian
This episode is crucial for the climax of the tale.
What does January see when his sight is restored?
He sees May and Damian in an amorous act
This sighting leads to January’s rage and the subsequent resolution of the plot.
What excuse does May give to January?
She claims that his sight is faulty and he is seeing things dimly
This deception allows her to escape blame for her infidelity.
What is the Merchant’s view on women?
He has a cynical and bitter perspective on marriage and women
The Merchant’s viewpoint is reflected in the tale’s themes of deceit and infidelity.
What literary concept does the January-May marriage represent?
A common trope of a marriage between an old man and a young woman
This concept is often referred to as a January-May wedding.
What role does Placebo play in January’s decision?
He suggests that January should make up his own mind about marriage
Placebo represents flattery and the encouragement of poor decisions.
Fill in the blank: January is depicted as old with ______ like snow.
white hair
Fill in the blank: May is compared to ______, symbolizing youth and beauty.
flowers
What is the significance of Justinius’s name?
It suggests righteousness and good advice
His advice is ultimately ignored by January.
True or False: The Merchant regrets his marriage but hopes no one will mention it.
True
What is the relationship between January’s desire for marriage and his age?
His decision is influenced more by dotage and the desire for an heir than holiness
This reflects a common theme in literature regarding aging and marriage.
Name four biblical women noted for their good advice.
- Rebecca
- Judith
- Abigail
- Esther
These figures contrast with the character of May in the tale.
Who are Pluto and Proserpina?
The king and queen of Fairyland
Their discussion adds a layer of mythological commentary to the tale.
