Chaucer's "Man of Law's Tale"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Chaucer's "Man of Law's Tale", focusing on the constant victimization of the heroine, Constance. In particular, the paper explores Constance's two greatest enemies, the Sultaness and Lady Donegild, and demonstrates not only how this tone of constant victimization functions in the text, but also how its influences may eventually empower Constance. The paper concludes that "The Man of Law's Tale" is a story of victimization and of faith. Despite Constance's difficult life, at its conclusion she falls to her knees and praises God. Thus, the world may victimize us, but we can always return to our faith.

From the Paper:

"Donegild's death leads to the resolution of the tale, with Constance regaining her husband and reuniting with her father. Ironically, with both mothers-in-law out of the way, Constance ceases to be victimized. She actually orchestrates her own reunion with her father, which for a woman who has declined to even reveal her real name for most of her lifetime, is a surprising show of agency. In one of her few moments of speech, Constantine reveals her identity and seems to chide her father forever sending her to Syria."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allen, Elizabeth. "Chaucer Answers Gower: Constance and the Trouble With Reading." ELH, Vol. 64, No. 3 (1997), 627-655.
• Bloomfield, Morton W. "The Man of Law's Tale: A Tragedy of Victimization and a Christian Comedy." PMLA, Vol. 87, No. 3 (May, 1972), 384-390.
• Block, Edward A. "Originality, Controlling Purpose, and Craftsmanship in Chaucer's Man of Law's Tale." PMLA, Vol. 68, No. 3 (June, 1953), 572-616.
• Dawson, Robert B. "Custance in Context: Rethinking the Protagonist of the Man of Law's Tale." Chaucer Review, Vol. 26 (1992), 293-308).
• Dugas, Don-John. "The Legitimization of Royal Power in Chaucer's Man of Law's Tale." Modern Philogy, Vol. 95, No. 1 (Aug., 1997), 27-43.

More papers on Chaucer's "Man of Law's Tale":

• Analytical Essay # 39243 : "The Man of Law's Tale"
• Analytical Essay # 117264 : "Marriage in the "Canterbury Tales"
• Analytical Essay # 58334 : "Chaucer's "Franklin's Tale"

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