Canterbury Tales: The Miller's Tale (3 of 5)

Publication Date: July 15, 2010

Chapter: English Literature During The Middle Ages

Nicholas, the clerk that did such a good job fingering Alison that she fell in love with him, has hatched a fiendish plot to bone the Carpenter's wife without him noticing. This fiendish plot? He tricks the Carpenter into believing that God is going to flood the earth again, and that only the three of them have been chosen to survive. Furthermore, the Carpenter absolutely must hang three large tubs in a tree so that they can float to safety after the flood hits. When night falls, the three of them each take to a tub, and remain absolutely silent. When the Carpenter falls asleep, Nick and Ally decide that it's business time and make for the comfort of the bed inside.

This is not only the most ridiculous plan I've ever read, but the Carpenter is easily the stupidest character I've ever seen. I mean, I know it was a simpler time, but it wasn't that simple. On the other hand, this entire story is being told by a drunk, so picking it apart is probably a fool's errand.

Oh, and here's another choice quote from Chaucer:

Withouten wordes mo they goon to bedde,Ther as the carpenter is wont to lye.Ther was the revel and the melodye;And thus lith Alison and Nicholas,In bisynesse of myrthe and of solas.

"There as the carpenter is wont to lie..." They're doing it in the Carpenter's bed. That's just not cool, guys. On the other hand, "revel and melody" is the greatest euphemism for sex I've ever heard. Chaucer also refers to the couple's deeds here as "the business of mirth and pleasure." Yeee-ep. That about sums it up.

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer • Year: c. 1386 • Info: Librarius

#GeoffreyChaucer   #TheMiddleAges   #English  

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Lit Brick is a comic started by Jodie Troutman in an effort to read the entire Norton Anthology of English Literature. Having eventually succeeded in that goal, it now features comics about all manner of random literature. For more of Jodie's work, visit longtalljodie.com!