‘Merchant’s Tale †Marriage’ Essay

Geoffrey Chaucers presentation of marriage throughout The Canterbury Tales is, indeed, varied, abstract and supple handsted by dispute all over the sincerity of specific works. This literary revulsion is powerfully evident in The Merchants Tale, making it essential to sell the disparity of its message on the topic of marriage.It could initially be fictive that the poem is not solely a misanthropic attack on marriage Chaucer offers a somewhat objective overview of the issue, purveyed by the obvious going in opinion of its characters, for example the merchandiser in the prologue we wedded men live in sorwe and care1 and Januaries opinion in this world it marriage is a paradis2 or the differing judgements of both Justinus it is no childes pley3 and Placebo Dooth now in this matiere right as yow leste4 after Januaries consultation with them.By addressing the fact that the message fluctuates it could be argued that Chaucer offers multiple compatible interpretations. Should we interpret the opinion of Placebo in the same way as we should Justinus, or do the subsequent events of the Tale prove to us that we should primarily reside ourselves with the view of the more reasoned, objective character the name Justinus implies a legal figure? Concerning an answer to the question, it is also important to address the relationship mingled with Januarie and may, and the following cuckolding.Is it more a cynical attack on criminal conversation than that of marriage? The fundamental basis for investigating the status of marriage in The Merchants Tale is to address the initial opinion of the merchant in the Prologue, and the subsequent irony at the beginning of the Tale. Chaucer directs the poem through the narration of the merchant, who has a clear cynical attitude towards his wife (in reply to The Clerks Tale and patient Griselda), though not likewise marriage in general Thogh the feend to hire ycoupled were, She would him overmacche5Here, he specificall y links his wife with the devil, that she would defeat him if they were they coupled. He goes as far as demonising his wife and presenting her in an evil, even heretic manner. This is in stark furrow to his later comment, for who kan be so buxom as a wyf? 6, which emphasises the inconsistency of thought throughout the poem. The idea of a woman having dominance over a potent figure can be related to mays apparent supremacy over Januarie and the Tale as a whole And every signe that she koude make, Wel bet than Januarie, hir owene make7She manipulates Januarie in the tend in a similar manner to the serpent (the devil) in Genesis, suggesting that May has crafty, cunning and stealthy attributes relative to a snake. Januarie is blind to her cunning in both a literal find and a moral sense as Adam is initially to the serpents influence. Januarie is manipulated by his wife as Adam is by his. Chaucer also refers to the realisation of sin, as with Adam, Januarie becomes apprised of nak edness with the literal return of his sight, viewing his wife, May, actively engaging in a sinful act of adultery with Damyan, further linking wyfs with the devil.These spectral connotations and the vivid sensitive view of cuckolding (and adultery) suggest the Tale is providing a cynical attack on marriage for a clerical purpose. When this is related to Januaries ambiguous, yet seemingly devout, reasons for taking a wife it can mute be believed that Chaucer is addressing a particularly religious theme, albeit this should be addressed with monish when consulting the merchants narration