The Merchant told this story probably because of his own negative view of marriage, and it shows that he views women as deceitful. Chaucer shows the character's personality through his choice of story.
I agree with Mary but it is really unclear whether the Merchant truly despises marriage because the entire tale seemed to be constructed with irony. Chaucer although seems to approve of the Merchant.
Chaucer criticizes the Church and religion in the tale with the god Pluto and his goddess Prosepina. Damien and May like each other a lot and try to take advantage of January being blind so they can be with each other. The god and goddess give January back his sight and make May marry him. Chaucer conveys that the Church mettles in people's affairs too much and has too much power.
I agree with Jon that Chaucer is criticizing the Church by including Pluto and Prosepina. I also believe that Chaucer views all women as sinful and deceitful creatures, as Mary mentioned. In this tale, May tricks a blind man so she can have fun with another man, and when she is caught, she lies about it. We also see women being sinful in other tales such as the Wife of Bath's Prologue and the Miller's tale. Chaucer does not seem to view women with respect throughout his tales.
I agree with Kelly, and Jon about how Chaucer uses this story as an opportunity to criticize the church. He uses Pluto, and Prosepina middling in the lives of other to symbolize like Jon said the church over involvement as well as say in peoples' lives. I think Chaucer making May end up marrying January instead showed his belief in life you do not always get what you want, and that life is full disappointments. Like Kelly said I do think this is Chaucer attaching women's inner sinfulness. May married not the man she loved, but instead just a man. I think Chaucer used this opportunity to again demonstrate how In the end woman will take the path that benefits them most no matter who it hurts.
I agree as well. This represents how Chaucer truly feels about marriage and and women in general. May did not end up with the one she loved, but she ends up benefitting from it in the end. That is really showing Chaucer's opinion on women and how they are selfish and this is shown through many of the tales. It seems as if the women are constantly the ones who make a mistake, sin, and cause conflict between the characters.
The Merchant told this story probably because of his own negative view of marriage, and it shows that he views women as deceitful. Chaucer shows the character's personality through his choice of story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mary but it is really unclear whether the Merchant truly despises marriage because the entire tale seemed to be constructed with irony. Chaucer although seems to approve of the Merchant.
DeleteChaucer criticizes the Church and religion in the tale with the god Pluto and his goddess Prosepina. Damien and May like each other a lot and try to take advantage of January being blind so they can be with each other. The god and goddess give January back his sight and make May marry him. Chaucer conveys that the Church mettles in people's affairs too much and has too much power.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jon that Chaucer is criticizing the Church by including Pluto and Prosepina. I also believe that Chaucer views all women as sinful and deceitful creatures, as Mary mentioned. In this tale, May tricks a blind man so she can have fun with another man, and when she is caught, she lies about it. We also see women being sinful in other tales such as the Wife of Bath's Prologue and the Miller's tale. Chaucer does not seem to view women with respect throughout his tales.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelly, and Jon about how Chaucer uses this story as an opportunity to criticize the church. He uses Pluto, and Prosepina middling in the lives of other to symbolize like Jon said the church over involvement as well as say in peoples' lives. I think Chaucer making May end up marrying January instead showed his belief in life you do not always get what you want, and that life is full disappointments. Like Kelly said I do think this is Chaucer attaching women's inner sinfulness. May married not the man she loved, but instead just a man. I think Chaucer used this opportunity to again demonstrate how In the end woman will take the path that benefits them most no matter who it hurts.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. This represents how Chaucer truly feels about marriage and and women in general. May did not end up with the one she loved, but she ends up benefitting from it in the end. That is really showing Chaucer's opinion on women and how they are selfish and this is shown through many of the tales. It seems as if the women are constantly the ones who make a mistake, sin, and cause conflict between the characters.
Delete