Justice in "The Canterbury Tales"

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" are narrated by a group of pilgrims on a pilgrimage from Southwark to Canterbury and how the themes of these stories fluctuate between chivalric knight-hood and sexual deceit. In particular, it examines the theme of one's desire for justice and looks at how two of the stories,, "The Reeve's Tale" and "The Miller's Tale," are under constant debate as to whether or not the deceitful acts taken place are balanced out. The paper attempts to show that one may find ample evidence within these texts that justice is achieved through a series of comically unfortunate events.

From the Paper:

"The "Miller's Tale," the second tale told, is a story that exemplifies the meaning of fidelity and how poorly we perceive it. How one acquires these euphoric satisfactions comes in many different forms. The severity of vengeful acts vacillates with the seriousness of the situation. It also depends on the gender of those who are seeking justice. In most cases, men resort to their masculinity and strength; while women often resort to a more subtle retribution. Although men and women differ in many ways, they are all driven primarily by hormones and libidos. Henceforth, the attainment of reprisal through devious sexual activities. Chaucer understood that the ideal marriage was a concept that was taken lightly amongst all those who wedded in his time. One of the most significant motives behind infidelity in Chaucer's era was due to an arranged marriage. In the 14th century, many women, at a young age, were married off against their consent."

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