The Merchant's Tale: Context Flashcards
also critic's interpretations
Which biblical verse is referenced through the motif of “weping and wailing”?
Matthew 8:12 - reference to biblical motif “weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth” to describe the regret felt by those who didn’t follow Christ as they are sent to hell
What is the religious significance of January’s garden?
It represents a perversion of the Garden of Eden - the pear tree also parodies Eden’s apple tree by using a fruit with sexual connotations - furthers January’s rejection/perversion of religion and marriage
What is the significance of the literary device of the senex amans?
A jealous old man who is cuckholded by his inappropriately younger wife
What is the significance of the literary device of mal mariee?
It is an incompatible marriage between a young woman and a much older man (often a senex amans)
What is the significance of social class?
January’s status as a “worthy knight” does not prevent him from being cuckholded by his squire who is of a much lower class than him
What is meant by the literary device ‘traductio’?
It refers to the metaphorical becoming literal - January’s blindness
What is the purpose of May’s epithet of “fresshe”?
It has an ironic use as she is no longer “fresshe” - show’s the Merchant’s view on women
Where are epithet’s traditionally found?
Epic poems from Ancient Greece - parodies these heroes
What is the significance of the ‘hortus conclusus’?
It is a medieval literary device which means ‘walled garden’ and traditionally symbolised purity and the divine - furthers January’s perversion of Eden
What is the significance of using Proserpina/Persephone as a spokesperson for women in the marriage debate?
In the Roman myth she was kidnapped by, and forcibly married to, Pluto - echoes May’s situation with January
What are the other tales in the marriage group?
The Wife of Bath’s tale, the Clerk’s tale, the Franklin’s tale and the Squire’s tale
