A Review of Quest of the Holy Grail Part V

In Chapter Six of Quest of the Holy Grail, Sir Perceval, otherwise known as Perceval of Wales, arrived at a chapel. There, he found shelter and good food. As the sixth chapter is quite long, I will only cover some highlights in this review. 

When he found the chance, Perceval asks the lady there when his friend, Lancelot, who he is looking for, is. Interestingly enough, the title of the work, Quest of the Holy Grail, is mentioned in his conservation with her. 

The lady revealed to Perceval that she is his aunt. The knight, in turn, asks if she knows how his mother is doing, and she responds, to his dismay, that his mother died as soon as he had left the king’s court. In response, he asked her how she knew this, and she says (without directly answering) that his mother had died that very day. Likewise, she claims, his mother had been broken-hearted over his departure. Responding, Percival asked again about his friend knight, and whether or not she has seen him, though her response was more concerned with a legend of Joseph of Arimathea, and his discovery of the holy grail many years ago. 

The lady told Perceval that the round table is a successor to another table that Joseph of Arimathea sat at. In return, knights have come to the round table from all ends of the earth, for much power resides with the table. She speaks of the love that all the knights have for it including Perceval’s own adoration. Finally, she reveals that Merlin has anticipated the day that the knights would search for the grail since the table’s founding. 

  Perceval was told of how that God awaited the coming of Galahad who was described as the ''good and perfect knight (The Quest of the Holy Grail, 1969, Penguin Books). '' Afterwards, Percival was asked his own identity and he replied that he was a knight of King Arthur. 

Later in the text of the Vulgate-Grail, Perceval was attacked by an enemy of the Christian faith. However, as the knight lifted his cross, his enemy went asunder out of fear. After this, Perceval also came into battle against a wild serpent. Interestingly enough, the knight also came into contact with a lion*. The lion was pleased by his slaying of the serpent. 

Upon following the battle with the serpent, Percival is described by the text as the most pious of all Arthur's knights. The text, furthermore, connects Wales to the Arthurian tradition. 

As Perceval continued his journey, he asked God to protect him not only from the devil but also from his own sinful thoughts. 

Along the way, Perceval encountered two women. One rode on a lion while the other rode on a serpent. As he talked to them, the text describes the woman that sat upon the lion as being and faith, hope, belief, and baptism. Indeed, she is even described as the rock that Christ built his church. As a side note, I find this interesting as this medieval text does not identify either Peter alone or the papacy in general as the rock of Matthew 16. 

Along his way, Perceval encounters a temptress who attempts to divert him from the quest of the grail. In turn, he took off his clothes and nearly gave up the quest for the cup of Christ. Tragically, the knight stabs himself as he mourns over the sin that almost destroyed him altogether. 

                                                                      My Commentary: 

My Own Thoughts are quite positive about this story. It lacks the humor of The Canterbury Tales, but I don't think that that is a reason to not read it. As I have said before, The Quest of the Holy Grail is significantly more spiritual (albeit, more allegorical) than is The Canterbury Tales. Both are fine works of Medieval literature. Along with The Canterbury Tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Everyman, I consider The Quest of the Holy Grail to be one of the masterpieces of Medieval literature.  

*A lion was often a symbol of Christ in Medieval art. No doubt, this must-have served as an inspiration to Aslan's depiction of a Christ-figure in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis. 

  

The Purity of the Planets

 

In Medieval times, it was hardly unusual for literature to reference the gloriousness of nature, especially that of the planets. C. S. Lewis talks about in his work, The Discarded Image, how the medievals loved the earth more than do many today. Likewise, as Lewis frequently observed, eternity was a central focus in many medieval poems. 

I think it is good for the human mind to realize that the universe is greater than his/her desires. One of the reasons why we should read literature is so that we may understand the emotions and thoughts of other people better. Thinking only of ourselves will constrain us from a purer love of eternal life. For us to be true followers of Christ we must live to strive to be holy and endure an angelic innocence that is rare in this world. To achieve this goal, we must always remember that there is a brighter side of the universe than this realm outside of God's eternal kingdom. However, to be like Christ means we have to be different from the majority in this world. God calls us to be pure as are both the saints and angels in the celestial city. Of course, we have the inclination to disobey God because of Adam's sin which has stained our will. Our will, unfortunately, does not always desire its freedom, which is to rest in God Himself. 

It is interesting for us to think about how the angels have a greater free will than those of the human race. Indeed, the angels of heaven have a will that has not been stained by original sin. Imagine how we would resemble the purity of the angels had none of us ever sinned? The lack of innocence in our culture today has further separated us from the angelic qualities once beautified and admired in medieval literature. Today, our society is more engrossed with violence and profanity than with the wonders of the great planets and burning stars that should serve as a reminder to us that our world is neither the end nor the center of eternity. 

The Best Editions of The Canterbury Tales

 For those of you interested in reading The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, I greatly recommend the following versions of this classic work of Medieval literature: 

The No Fear: Canterbury Tales does a great job at breaking down the Middle English text and explaining it in modern English to those otherwise unfamiliar with Middle English. This is good for any beginner not yet grounded in an understanding of either Middle English or Chaucer's works. 

  This edition from Barnes and Noble includes almost all of The Canterbury Tales. It has a modern English translation for each line of the Middle English text. What also makes this version great, however, are the many scholarly notes within this copy on The Canterbury Tales. 

This edition of The Canterbury Tales by Books-A-Million is one of the few that I am aware of that includes all of the stories. This edition is a good choice for those familiar with Middle English. 

The Riverside Chaucer includes not only The Canterbury Tales but all the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. This is the best work of Chaucer for any student or teacher of English literature that I have ever seen. 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Parson's Tale and Chaucer's Retraction

                                                      

                                                         1. A Review of The Parson's Tale

The Parson's Tale has rightly been recognized to not actually to be a tale. Instead, it is essentially a theological treatise. Having a more serious character to its writing then some of the other Canterbury Tales, this tale rightly leads to Chaucer's retraction before he died. 

Our sweet Lord God of Heaven, that no man will perish, but will that we come to all to the knowledge of him, and to the blissful life that is perdurable, admonishes us by the prophet Jeremiah, that saith in this wise: ''Stand upon the ways, and see and ask of old paths, that is to say, of old sentences, which is the good way, and walk in that way, and ye shall find refreshing for your souls''...

These are opening words of The Parson's Tale. The work goes on to describe the importance of penitence. Of particular note, the parson teaches that one must be baptized and that he neither commit mortal nor venial sins. Furthermore, The opening of this final tale addresses the importance of true contrition from the heart over sin. Likewise, the treatise promotes the importance of serving the church and partaking in pilgrimages. 

Penitence may be likened to a tree, having its root in contrition, biding itself in the heart as a tree-root does in the earth; out of this root springs a stalk; that bears branches and leaves of confession, and fruit of satisfaction. 

Perhaps my favorite line from this work is one that is such a reminder to all of us to have true repentance: 

Penance is the tree of life to them that receive it. 

That is a beautiful line! Chaucer was not only a great poet but also a person that had a decent knowledge of scriptural truth. 

The Parson's Tale placed heavy emphasis on the importance of true contrition and repentance. Finally, the tale ended with a long discourse on the importance of the sacrament of confession. No doubt, The Parsons Tale's was a fitting end of The Canterbury Tales. It turned all attention from its beautiful rhythm and funny humor to a simple message about salvation and eternal life. The warnings of hell in this last piece of Chaucer's work are a further reminder of the seriousness of beliefs about God's judgment on the wicked in the last days of earth's history. 

All in all, The Parson 's Tale is a worthy successor to the other stories of The Canterbury Tales. Likewise, The Canterbury Tales remains one of the greatest classics of  Mediaeval English literature. 

                                                      2. A Review of Chaucer's Retraction

As Chaucer wanted to make certain of his relationship to Christ before his death, he retracted anything in his writings that went against the Christian faith. Those that take the time to read this work will likely acknowledge his reverence towards Jesus Christ. 

Here is ended the book of the tales of Canterbury, compiled by Geffrey Chaucer, of whos soule Jhesu Crist have mercy. Amen. 

                                                                 3.  My Final Thoughts

It has been my privilege over these last two years discussing The Canterbury Tales with my readers. I encourage those that read my writings to someday study these stories as well. 

Sin is either venial, or deadly; deadly, when a man loves any creature more than Jesus Christ our Creator, venial, if he love Jesus Christ less than he ought. -The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (p.868 Books-a-Million). 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Parson's Prologue

 

 Shortly after The Manciple's Tale was told, the Parson was told by the host to tell a new one. In response to this request, the parson agreed to these terms: 

This Parson him answered all at ones;

''Thou gettest fable none y-told for me, 

For Paul, that writeth unto Timothy, 

Reproveth them that weive sooffastness, 

And telle fables, and such wretchedness. ''

Early on, the parson makes clear the religiosity of his tale: 

I would full fain at Christe's reverence 

Do you pleasance lawful, as I can. 

But, truste well, I am a southern man, 

I cannot gest, rom, ram, ruf, by my letter;

And, God wot, rhyme hold but little better. 

And therefore if you list, I will not glose, 

I will tell you a little tale in prose, 

To knit up all this feast, and make an end. 

And Jesus for his grace wit me send

To shewe you the way, in this voyage,

Of thilke perfect glorious pilgrimage, 

that high Jerusalem celestial. 

Later, the parson said that he did not know how others will receive his tale. The host however, encouraged him on. 

Alas, I approach the last of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. For the last two years, I have summarized various aspects of The Canterbury Tales in my own posts. With the completion of these posts coming near, it allows me new opportunities to write about other works of Mediaeval literature from the past. Furthermore, and more importantly, my finishing of these analyzing posts on this great classic will allow me to return to my novels and spend more time writing. I have learned more about Mediaeval literature in the last two years than I learned about it before then. Indeed, I feel that my studying of the literature of the Middle Ages has better equipped me as a writer and novelist with a greater confidence to write stories set during Mediaeval Times. 

Quotes from Medieval Popes

It is interesting to read these quotes and see the change of understanding the popes had concerning theology in the thirteenth century compared to the popes of today. Indeed, it is sad to see how much the present day Roman Catholic Church has liberalized from the one ages past. 

Pictures of Emily

These are all Italian Renaissance works of art concerning the character, Emily, from The Knight's Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer. 

My Love of Medieval Allegory

 

Some of my favorite literary works ever are those concerning Medieval allegory such as The Summoning of Everyman and Piers Plowman by William Langland. Additionally, The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, which has always been one of my all-time favorite series, derived its novels largely from Christian themes of Medieval literature. I also greatly enjoy the allegorical themes of fleeing temptation from sin in The Quest of the Holy Grail. 

Whether it be Pope Innocent III or Geoffrey Chaucer, I enjoy Medieval allegory. I admire Pope Innocent III's vast knowledge of various passages in the scriptures. Even if I find certain texts in the scriptures to be stretched by him at times to defend the papacy, I nevertheless, find such interpretations to be interesting. Alas, I also enjoy how Chaucer made use of scripture for both theological and moral themes throughout his Canterbury Tales. 

The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C. S. Lewis has been one of my inspirations to studying Medieval literature over the course of these last two years. In general, Lewis's study of the literature of the Middle Ages has triggered me to be a scholar in the field of English literature. To this end, I aspire to discuss and analyze various works of the Middle Ages.  

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Second Nun's Tale

 

                                                                   

This is one of the few Canterbury Tale that has no prologue. It is about Saint Cecilia. Interestingly enough, The Second Nun's Tale was originally written by Geoffrey Chaucer as a separate work. 

                                                                  The Tale

And though men dreaded never for to die, 

Yet see men well by reason, doubtless, 

That idleness is root of sluggardly, 

Of which there cometh never good increase; 

And see that sloth them holdeth in a leas, 

Only to sleep, and for to eat and drink, 

And to devouren all that others sink. 

How true! Idleness is never a good thing (1 Timothy 5: 13, Ecclesiastes 10: 18). To contrast the work of a godly person with a lazy one, the nun goes on to describe the main character of her story: 

And, for to put us from such idleness, 

That cause is of so great confusion, 

I have here done my faithful business, 

After the Legend, in translation

Right of thy glorious life and passion, -

Thou with thy garland wrought of rose and lily, 

Thee mean I, maid and martyr, Saint Cecilie. 

The nun furthered her praised of this blessed saint even more later:

First will I you the name of Saint Cecilie

Expound, as men may in her story see. 

It is to say in English, Heaven's lily, 

For pure chasteness of virginity;

Or, for she whiteness had of honesty,

And green of conscience, and of good fame

The sweet savour, Lilie was her name. 

Cecilie was to be a married to a man named Valerian. Nevertheless, she wanted to give her body fully unblessed and pure to God alone. 

And while the organs made melody, 

To God alone thus in her heart sang she;

''Oh Lord, my soul and eke me body gie

Unwemmed, lest that I confounded be.''

And, for his love that died upon the tree, 

Every second or third day she fast,'

Aye bidding in her orisons full fast. 

When she was about to go to bed with her husband, she sent him on a brief journey. An angel soon appeared to Valerian and told him to keep his wife's virginity pure and undefiled. 

In a later conversation with her husband Cecilie shares with him that what happens in this world is not the end of all things:

''But there is better life in other place, 

That never shall be loste, dread thee nought;

Which Godde's Son us tolde through his grace

That Father's Son which alle thinges wrought;

And all that wrought is with a skilful thought, 

The Ghost, that from the Father gan proceed, 

Hath souled them, withouten any drede. 

By word and by miracle, high God's Son, 

When he was in this world, declared here. 

That there is other life where men may won. ''

Pope Urban later made Valerian a knight. Likewise, Valerian had frequent visits from his wife's holy angel throughout his life. 

Cecilie outlived her husband. All her days she served the Lord. Later in the story, she was brutally martyred for her faith. 

                                                                      My Analysis: 

The Second Nun's Tale is about sacrifice. Not only did Cecilie sacrifice her body to God, but Valerian also sacrificed his sexual desires for his wife so that she could follow God's call. Indeed, both Cecilie and Valerian are each noble and pious towards their creator. These characters understand the values of both virginity and following God's commands over earthly desires. The Second Nun's Tale also concerns the importance of sexual purity. It also reflected theological values of many in the Medieval church that strongly supported the importance of celibate orders serving the church with all that they had. Ultimately, Cecilie wanted to serve God with her all. Even if it was convenient for her, she felt the call of God towards such a life. Marriage to a man had never been her choice though she loved her husband with a Christlike love while living in a celibate manner to the calling that she felt from her Creator. 

Over the years, I think that some Christians have went to two extremes on the issue of celibacy and marriage. Saint Jerome, for instance, went to an extreme of undervaluing marriage to promoting all being celibate. On the other hand, though, I disagree with some of the reformers during the reformation era that wished to abolish all monasteries and disregard celibacy. I stand in agreement with Saint Augustine much on this, who I believe had the best-balanced view. Augustine believed that celibacy was a higher calling than marriage, though he also supported the great importance and sanctity of the marriage institution. 

I am not certain of Chaucer's views concerning marriage. From the derived text of The Second Nun's Tall I believe that it can be inferred that he likely had a high view of celibacy. 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Physician's Tale

 

Also known as The Doctor's Tale, The Physician's Tale is unusual among The Canterbury Tales in that it has no prologue. The text goes straight into the story. 

I like the last words of The Physician's Tale: 

TherforebI rede yow this counseil take, 

Forsaketh sinne, er sinne, yow forsake. 

The Doctor's Tale is about Virginius, a knight, having been falsely accused of kidnapping a girl. The knight never has the chance to prove his innocence. Furthermore, his daughter was executed because of evil men wishing her dishonor. The judge then planned on killing Virginius before he himself was turned on by the same evil men. 

                                                                   My Analysis: 

The Physician's Tale is about how those who practice evil will in the end be judged for their actions. While we may not always see how others that have done us wrong are punished for what they have done to us, their sin will come back to haunt them. Likewise, our own sins come back to haunt us, and we pay heavy consequences for our wrong choices. This has one of my favorite messages of The Canterbury Tales. A shorter tale, while The Physician's Tale may be for good reason seen as inferior to other Canterbury Tales, its message is nonetheless important still. 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Squire's Tale

                                                                    

                                                                         The Prologue: 

The prologue starts both short and odd. Someone suggests that the squire knows some about love. However, it is unclear who speaks the following lines: 

''Squire, Com Neer, If it your wille be, 

And sey somwhat of love; for, certes, ye

Connen ther-on as muche as any man.''

                                                                   

                                                                              Part One: 

In the land of Tartary* there was a king that raged war on Russia. The king that the squire has been telling a tale concerning was revealed to be Genghis Khan. 

This noble king, this Tartre Cambinskan...

One day, a knight came for a visit to Genghis Khan and the Mongols. The Mongols were much impressed by the manners of this knight and the fine steed that he rode. Genghis came to have a close friendship with this knight and the two shared a love towards the knight's steed, which garnered much attention at its tricks. The Mongols went on with their feasts and jolly pleasure until came Spring. 

                                                                               Part Two: 

The second part is a love story of a female falcon's whose heart has been broken. After telling this story, the squire had intended to tell more stories. One of the best lines from this piece of The Canterbury Tales is listed below: 

''A trew wighte and a theef thenken nat oon.'' 

Indeed, as scripture says, ''Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled (King James Version of the Holy Bible).''

*According to the notes of the Barnes and Noble edition of The Canterbury Tales, this referred in a general sense to the Mongol Empire. 

                                                                     My Analysis: 

The Squire's Tale I found to be interesting and different from many of the other Canterbury Tales. Nevertheless, I personally felt that the story was significantly inferior to The Knight's Tale. Considering his close relation to the knight, I would have expected to enjoy this one better. Last, I usually do not prefer stories set in far eastern Asia. For these reasons, I would consider The Squire's Tale to be more of an average Canterbury Tale.

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Manciple's Tale

                                                                  

                                                                    The Prologue: 

The pilgrims continued on the road to Canterbury as they tease each other along the way. The Maniple humorously says that the cook's breath stinks. 

And wel I woot, thy breeth ful soure stinketh...

Despite the cook and manciple going at each other at first, the cook is given wine, and this makes him happy. The host then speaks of his gratefulness to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. Shortly thereafter, the manciple tells his story. 

                                                                            The Tale:

Phoebus, a bachelor that was much lusted after, had also recently slayed a great serpent. This is drawn from Ovid's The Metamorphoses. 

Phoebus had a caged bird that he often listened to sing to him. One day, he learned from this animal that that his wife was committing adultery on him. In response, Phoebus cast the bird from his sight. 

And to the crowe, ''O false theef!'' seyde he, 

''I wol thee quyte anon thy false tale!''

The manciple goes on to tell us to be careful of our tongue. He also warns us of how a tongue can destroy relationships. 

                                                                     

                                                                      My Analysis: 

This story was a very short one. I am not sure of the intent that Chaucer had here except that we should be careful with what we say. However, the bird told the truth, so I am not sure if what he said was necessarily wrong as I think that Phoebus needed to know it. 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Man of Law's Tale

 

                                                                The Introduction

There was a dialogue between the host and the man of law concerning past mythological stories. The man of law made several references to Ovid's The Metamorphoses.  After mentioning several Greek stories, he goes on to the prologue. 

And with that word he, with a sobre chere, 

Bigan his tale, as ye shal after here. 

                                                                   The Prologue: 

O hateful harm! condicion of poverte! 

The above lines are the opening words of the prologue. The man of law goes on to describe the hard conditions of poor. Additionally, he reprimands the rich to be grateful for what they have. 

                                                                     Part One:  

There were once in Syria successful group of merchants that were sought after by all for the goods that they frequently traded. After this description of the group by the man of law, the text tells of these merchants having been soon summoned to Rome. 

The emperor of Rome's daughter, Constance, is described in the text as one that the storyteller wishes was the monarch over Europe. Likewise, all the merchants were glad of her presence. 

When they had returned home, the merchants told of the beauty of Princess Constance to the sultan of Syrian. In return to their description of her to him, the sultan felt he needed Constance lest he die. In fact, the sultan was willing to convert to Christianity just to have her. Later, he had his land Christianized for this goal. 

Despite not wishing to marry the sultan of Syria, Constance was sent out by her people to his land to marry him. Constance grieved about her departure from her homeland. 

At the same time of Constance's travel, the sultan's mother was threatened by her son's conversion from Islam to Christianity. She plotted to stop his reform of the kingdom as she faked her own conversion. 

                                                                      Part Two:

 Christians arrived in Syria as the news of their arrival spread to both the sultan and to his mother. The Syrians and Romans both met. Additionally, the sultan's mother gladly received Constance to be her daughter in law. 

The happiness of this potential alliance soon wore off, however. The sultaness, the great wicked woman that she was, had her son and all the Christians murdered in a stable. Constance though, was not murdered. Nevertheless, the sultaness had her sent back on a boat from Syria to Italy again. Constance felt desperate for God's aid. 

She blesseth hir, and with ful pitous voys

Un-to the croys of Crist thus seyde she, 

''O clere, o welful auter, holy auter, holy croys,

Reed of the lambes blood full of pitee,

That wesh the world fro the old iniquitee, 

Me fro the feend, and fro his clawes kepe, 

That day that I shall drenchen in the depe...''

Constance was at sea for years. Finally, she found her way to the British Isles. A Constable and his wife took care of her there. Soon, out of Constance's influence, the constable converted to Christianity. 

Meanwhile, Satan hated the pure Christian character that Constance was. He aroused a knight after her that tried to persuade Constance to sin. She, however, refused the knight's pursuit of her. In return, the knight decided that he would kill her. He went on to kill the constable's wife and falsely accuse Constance of committing this terrible dead. Thankfully, however, his crime was found out and he was sentenced to death for it as many came to see Constance's innocence. 

Now, a similar occurrence happened to Constance as her experience in Syria. The king in Britain wished to marry her though his mother wished otherwise to his desires concerning this. Nevertheless, the king married her, and she became impregnated by him as he was gone to Scotland for war. 

Eventually, Constance gave birth to a boy named Maurice. After Maurice was infant baptized, word of the newly born child spread all the ways to the king. Sadly, the constable became persuaded against the queen and her son and had them sent out from his kingdom. 

Once again, as Constance set out, she had to trust God through all their sufferings. 

                                                                              

                                                                            Part Three:

The king was grieved once he learned that his wife and son had been sent away. He knew that his wife's departure from his kingdom was from the hands of his wicked mother. 

Meanwhile, Constance's boat took her to a heathen land. Her journey continued to lead her across sea and land. 

Alas, during all of these events, the emperor of Rome had many of the Syrians killed for their violence on his people. On their way back home, the Romans found Constance at sea and took her with them. 

After being in Rome, providence brought the reunion of Constance and the king from Britain. After much mourning, they felt rest. 

After these events, Maurice went on to be crowned as emperor of Rome by the pope. Alla, Constance's husband, reigned with her in England for the remaining days of their life, which were no doubt happy ones. 

                                                                        My Analysis: 

Perhaps one of the more serious of The Canterbury Tales, The Man of Law's Tale is about a character that trusted in God no matter what during her situations. It would have been much easier for Constance to have dropped her faith in God during her trials. Instead, though, Constance was faithful to God until the end of her days. 

                                                    

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Monk's Tale

 

                                                                       The Prologue: 

After hearing The Tale of Meliboeus, the host says that he wishes that his wife had heard it as well since he claims her to be a woman of impatience. He then encourages the monk to tell a new tale. 

''My lord the Monk,'' quoth he, ''be merry of cheer, 

For ye shall tell a tale truely.''

The monk agreed to tell two or three tales. Unfortunately, as Chaucer was never able to finish The Canterbury Tales, only one was ever written. 

                                                                       

                                                                         The Tale: 

The monk spoke of how great some can fall from prosperity. He exhorted all not to trust in riches and reminds them that it can be taken from them: 

''I will bewail, in manner of tragedy, 

The harm of them that stood in high degree, 

And felle so, that there was no remedy, 

To bring them out of their adversity. 

For, certain, when that Fortune list to flee, 

There may trust in blind prosperity; 

Beware by these examples true and old. 

The monk went on to describe the fall of Lucifer from glory. He then went to describe how Adam lost the beauty of Paradise due to sin. He then went on in more detail to describe the fall of Sampson as well. Likewise, the monk then went on to tell the story of Hercules downfall. He then went on to describe the fall of Nebuchadnezzar. The monk does not end here, however. Indeed, he goes on to recount similar stories of mighty characters that fell from glory. 

                                                                            My Analysis: 

The Monk's tale is not really a tale. No, indeed, it is a long discourse over how pride and power can bring those in high estates far beneath us all. All in all, a good message! 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The tale of Meliboeus

 

                                                                              The Prologue 

In the prologue, Chaucer and the host briefly bicker before Chaucer goes on to tell a new story. The host complains of Chaucer's rhyme, but this seems to hardly drive back the English poet. Indeed, Chaucer has the full intention of now telling a moral tale. Nevertheless, the story that Chaucer is about to tell would not be unique to his imagination. In fact, Chaucer translated the story from one written by the French. Despite drawing from an earlier story, Chaucer understands the the moral importance of the upcoming text: 

''Gladly,'' quoth I, ''by Godde's sweet pine, 

I will tell you a little thing in prose, 

That ought like you, as I suppose, 

Or else certes ye be too dangerous. 

It is a moral tale virtuous, 

All be it told sometimes in sundry wise

By sundry folk, as I shall you devise. 

The prologue certainly sets the stage for a poem of great religiosity. Concerning its message, Chaucer seems to have had in mind a more serious tale here. On the other hand, some have interpreted it as more comical for its long length over the original French text. It has been suggested by some scholars that this tale is a companion to Chaucer's unfinished, The Tale of of Sir Thopas. Nevertheless, modern scholars generally see The Tale of Meliboeus as Chaucer's most boring work. 

                                                                        The Tale*1

Meliboues was a powerful and wealthy young man. He had a wife known as Prudence, and a daughter, known as Sophia. 

One day several men came into Meliboeus's house and beat his wife and daughter. When he found out about this he did greatly weep. 

Meliboeus's wife, Prudence, recalled lines from Ovid about suffering. In return, her husband spoke of how Christ did weep. His wife then spoke of the importance of weeping. Additionally, Solomon is quoted, and the sufferings of Job are discussed. 

Meliboeus then assembled many folks to his aid. Desiring vengeance, he asks his companions for wisdom. The young people encourage him to take vengeance while the old encourage him to refrain from such anger. Prudence then encouraged him to not go to war. He acknowledged her wisdom after she gave a long discourse about women helping men for guidance. Eventually, she even persuades him to not be angry and hasty to war. After agreeing with her wisdom, he asks her what thinks of his advisors. She tells him that these folks are folly and for him to follow his own rules of peace. Realizing his faults of angriness and hastiness, the text gives one of my favorite lines in all The Canterbury Tales: 

Granting that he erred, Meliboeus says that he is all ready to change his counsel right as she will devise; for, as the proverb runs, to do sin is human, but to persevere long in sin is work of the Devil. 

The wife then rebukes those among the counselors that had urged her husband to hastiness. Instead, she encourages peace to undo war. Likewise, she turns her husband towards Christ. For a woman that has been beaten along with her daughter she has an amazing strong attribute of self-control. Indeed, her husband is much graced by her strong faith. 

Prudence also reminds her husband of the authority of the judge to carry out justice. She is against those that attempt to carry out vengeance without trusting in the legal system to carry out justice. A few times he pridefully resists her pleas for him to be humble and patient. Nevertheless, he continues to listen to her as he knows that she is right. 

Next, the wife then met the men that had injured her family. She warned them of war and told them of the great hurt they had done to her family. Perhaps surprisingly, the men were surprised that she was not more scolding of them. Alas, Meliboeus and his wife were forgiving to those that sought their forgiveness. Indeed, Meliboeus encouraged them to obtain an indulgence*2. Last, all end with peace towards one another. 

Later, Meliboeus had the intention of punishing the men but his wife again turned him away from this. The story ends with him speaking about Christ will forgive us of our sins if we repent. 

                                                                           My Analysis: 

The theme of this story is that we should trust in God and not seek vengeance. As hard as it may be, we should never seek to punish those that have done us wrong. We have no room for hatred as Christ loves us even though we are far from perfection. 

The Tale of Meliboeus also exhorts husbands to listen to their godly wives. Meliboeus would have been driven by his own madness if Prudence had not directed him towards Christlike virtues. 

Finally, repentance is necessary for salvation. All Christians sin and fall, but a lifestyle of sin without repentance brings serious questions to an individual's walk with God.  

While some may find The Tale of Meliboeus to be boring, I think that this is hardly the case. The story maybe less colorful than some of the other Canterbury Tales. However, it leaves an impregnable message about forgiveness that is more important than entertainment. For this reason, I disagree with the modern consensus of this being one of the boring tales. 

                                                                                     Notes:

1*I noticed that unlike other Canterbury Tales, The Tale of Meliboeus is largely written in prose. I found that both odd and surprising. 

2* What was Chaucer's point here? Did he believe in indulgences? It should be remembered that Chaucer drew this story from another. Considering that this story was not an original work from Chaucer, how much authority does it represent of his views? Much or little? 

 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Shipman's Tale

 

                                                                          

                                                                           The Prologue: 

Near the beginning of the prologue, the parish priest asked the host to tell a story. Early on, the text makes reference to Lollardly, the reform movement in fourteenth century England that followed (if at times exaggerated) the attempts of John Wycliffe to reform the Roman Church. While I have always felt that Chaucer makes reference to Wycliffe's ideas in The Canterbury Tales, he does so explicitly here. The parson is suspected of being a Lollard and the shipman, also known as the sailor, responds briefly: 

"Nay, by my father's soul, that shall he not,''

Saide the Shipman; "Here shall he not preach, 

He shall no gospel close here nor teach. 

We all believe in the great God,'' quoth he. 

He would sowe some difficulty, 

Or springe cockle in our cleane corn.'' 

Was the Parson a Lollard? Who knows? Either way, The Canterbury Tales reflects the tension between Roman Catholics and the Proto-Protestants of Chaucer's day. Also, the prologue reveals just how concerned that the shipman was towards the parson. In the above quoted lines, the shipman is basically saying that the parson will bring trouble for the church because of his Lollardly. After accusing the parson of heresy however, things loosen up. I often find those that accuse others of heresy are fine with putting others on trial but have a double standard for themselves.  Anyhow, after the shipman makes reference to this, he goes on to tell his tale. 

                                                                             The Tale

The story opens about a merchant with a beautiful wife. His wife was fond of her pleasures in partying. The merchant had a friend that he claimed was his kindred. To a monk, he gave great loyalty. Fortunately, the monk also supported him equally as the two shared a great brotherhood. 

One day the merchant went out to buy some things. As this happened, the monk managed the property of his abbey. The merchant came by and drank with the monk. 

After these events, the wife one day came by the monk. She chats with him and he asks her why she looks ill. He tells her to tell him of her illness and distress. They both agreed to not tell others of their conversation. She says that she has suffered since being a wife. The monk confesses that he has always loved her above other women. He then tells her to tell him his grief. The merchant's wife responds and says that her husband is the worst man that she has ever known. 

''My dear love,'' quoth she, ''O my Dan John, 

Full life were me this counsel for to hide, 

But out it must, I may no more abide. 

My husband is to me the worste man

That ever was since that the world began; 

But since I am a wife, it sits not me...''

The merchant's wife does not end there. She describes the worth of a husband as inferior to a fly. She describes several things that she believes a wife should be including him being obedient to her. The monk promises to keep her secret and bring her the money that she has also requested of him. Immediately, the monk then passionately kissed her. 

After the wife returned to her husband, the merchant wanted to go to mass with her. Eventually, the merchant foolishly said the monk could have anything he owns. In fact, he does not want his friend, the monk, to take too little. The merchant went on to give the monk a vast amount of his money as he joined his ''friend'' for much drinking. 

The next day the merchant set out to Flanders. Meanwhile, the monk had sex with his wife. After all of this happened, the merchant returned home and continued his normal routine with his wife with no knowledge of her affair with the monk. After obtaining more riches, the merchant's wife gladly receives him. After attempting to sleep with his wife, she resists their intimacy. The tale ends with the merchant asking her to spend less money.  

                                                                         My Analysis: 

 

 

This is certainly one of the lesser well known of The Canterbury Tales. Going into reading it, I had no prior knowledge to the events or characters of this story. Chaucer drew likely from an Old French story for his own in The Shipman's Tale. I did find it odd that the story really had nothing to do with the work of a shipman. Ultimately, I found the story to begin better than how it ended. 

                                                                       

Certainly, an interesting read! As I finish up my reviews of The Canterbury Tales, I encourage all my readers to buy a copy of this classic. The Knight's Tale and The Nun's Priest's Tale are my personal favorites of all the stories. However, each one has been interesting in its own way. Finally, I feel that this story ended strange. Overall, I would not decree it as one of Chaucer's best literary moments. 

 The Shipman's Tale  may not be the most interesting of The Canterbury Tales, but I still think that it is necessary to read the full Canterbury Tales to truly grasp Chaucer's overall story. While this maybe off topic, I do feel that The Canterbury Tales leads a number of other literary works from the classical and medieval world that all medievalist need to read.  

Anyone that desires to study the Middle Ages must read The Aeneid by Virgil, The Metamorphoses by Ovid, Beowulf, The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, Confessions by Saint Augustine of Hippo, City of God by Saint Augustine of Hippo, Poetics by Aristotle, Everyman, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Patience, The Song of Roland, The Romance of the Rose, The Whole Book of King Arthur and His Noble Knights of the Round Table by Thomas Malory, Eric and Enide by Chretien de Troyes, Lancelot by Chretien de Troyes, Perceval and Yvain by Chretien de Troyes, The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, The Quest of the Holy Grail, and the Summary of Theology by Thomas Aquinas. While several other works also come to my mind's attention, I consider the titles that I have just now documented to be the most important to literary analyze for any medievalist. Of course, anything by Saint Augustine of Hippo or Geoffrey Chaucer I think would be beneficial for those interested in studying the literature and theology of the post-classical world. 

The study of Medieval literature begins and ends with Chaucer. While various works of Medieval literature are necessary reads to any medievalist, I argue for the superiority of Chaucer's works to understanding the literature of the Middle Ages over all else, except for Saint Augustine. While Augustine is an essential component to understand Medieval religion, the principle works of Chaucer and Dante are essential reads to anyone learning about the works of those medievals before us. 

References: Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. (1478). Books-A-Million. 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Summoner's Tale

                                                 

                       

                                                                           The Prologue:

The prologue starts off with the summoner ready to strike out at the friar. He claims the friar has lied and brought suffering upon him. He tells a story about an angel that takes a friar to hell as the friar sees that none of his profession are there. However, the angel lets him know that a multitude of friars are in hell. The angel requests the devil to show the friar the many friars are in hell.

The prologue continues as the devil reveals twenty thousand friars to be in hell. The friar is left with an impregnable fear of hell afterwards. Chaucer then tells us to pray for this friar's soul. 

                                                                            The Tale: 

There was in Yorkshire a friar that both preached and begged. The friar in this tale serves people and will give them silly stories in return for food from them. This friar pretended to be all humble as he took advantage of others. 

The friar (not the one in the tale) meanwhile, accuses the summoner of lying. However, the host interrupts and tells the summoner to tell the whole tale. The summoner returns to the tale. 

By this point in the tale, the friar had come to a home where he was not wanted. The friar talks to a sick man and there and says that it would be hard for such a person as him to interpret scripture without the aid of a friar. Before I proceed, let me briefly interject the story for this point. 

Concerning the friar's remarks about the poor needing him to interpret scripture for them, I personally, feel like this is a reference again to Wycliffe's theology. Here, we see Chaucer possibly satirizing the Roman Catholic rejection of Sola scriptura while he favours the friar no more than he does the poor. Chaucer brings attention to the problems of people trusting in an infallible magisterium as the friar we already know, will misuse scripture for his personal power. Although many of the apologist from Rome will insist on the hierarchy never leading the flock astray, this story is a perfect example of what happens when people assume that the Roman Church's leadership and clergy will be faithful to the scriptures, when in fact, many of them have not been. Now, to return to the Summoner's Tale.

Chaucer gives an interesting description of the sick man giving a fart into the friar's hand: 

Amidde his hand he leet the frere a fart. 

Ther nis no capul, drawinge in a cart, 

That mighte have let a fart of swich a soune. 

The friar was driven out by the sick man's servants. No doubt, the friar became angry after he had hoped to get money from this sick man! Having went back to his lord, the lord tried to comfort the friar. The friar told him all that had previously happened. 

Last, the friar tried to gain sympathy from the lord's wife. Finally in the tale, the lord wakes up and sees the friar as the rotten character that he is. The story ends by the punishment of having the friar farted on. 

                                                                     My Analysis: 

An odd way to end no doubt! The Summoner's Tale is a reminder that corruption can come in any form, even in church clergy. I am not sure that the friar got exactly what he deserved at the end of the tale. However, I think that the prologue and story collectively imply that the friar was headed to hell. Of course, no greater condemnation awaits the wicked than damnation itself. 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Cook's Tale

 

For this one I had to use the Books-A-Million edition of The Canterbury Tales from Sweetwater Press as this tale is not contained in the Barnes & Noble Classics edition. In fact, The Cook's Tale seems to be missing from most printed copies of The Canterbury Tales today. For whatever reason, very few modern copies of The Canterbury Tales include Geoffrey Chaucer's full work. 

The Cooke's Tale only goes on for about sixty lines. This story is quite short and very much a fabliau type of work. For those of you not aware, a fabliau was a genre in Medieval French literature that often- deployed crude humour. Of course, Chaucer's work though, is written in the English language. 

                                                                        

                                                                   The Prologue: 

After the Reeve had spoken the cook speaks of his peer having had a good conclusion to the last tale (The Reeve's Tale). The cook continues to praise him while saying how he himself will not have just any man over to his house. The cook then sets up a foundation for his own tale: 

"But God forbid that we should stinte here, 

And therefore if ye will vouchsafe to hear

A tale of me, that am a poore man, 

I will you tell as well as e'er I can

A little jape that fell in our city."

After the cook had spoken, the host encouraged him on. The cook then went on to tell his tale. 

                                                                         The Tale

There was a lively apprentice that dwelt in the city. He was a good dancer and very loveable. He loved the tavern and would often assemble with companions to hop and sing. This apprentice would often put his money into gambling in private street corners. Chaucer compares this character to a rotten apple. Eventually, his master wept as he let his apprentice go. In response, the apprentice spent all night being foolish. The story ends describing the foolishness of the cook and how his wife was a prostitute. Listen to the sad words of his master as he speaks of his former pupil: 

Of a proverb, that saith this same word;

Better is rotten apple of out of hoard, 

Than that it should rot all the remenant: 

So fares it by a riotous servant;

It is well lesse harm to let him pace,

Than he shend all the servants in the place. 

Therefore his master gave him a quittance, 

And bade him go, with sorrow and mischance, 

And thus this jolly prentice had his leve: 

Now let him riot all the night, or leave. 

                                                                      My Analysis: 

Being such a short story, The Cook's Tale does not cover much. The story has been left unfinished. Some scholars believe that Chaucer intended to finish it while others believe that he purposely left it the way it is. Whatever the case, the brief story that it is, is a rebuke to those that waste their life on gambling and immoral fun. Far too often, many throw away their potential as did the apprentice in this tale. 

The Cook's Tale was a good story. Where it falls short is its incompleteness. I think Chaucer was setting up a great story that I wish he had finished. 

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. -Proverbs 13: 11

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Friar's Tale

                               

                 

                                                       

                                                         The Prologue to The Friar's Tale: 

The friar looked upon the summoner with a scowl without coming out and criticizing him. The friar says that he will tell a story about a summoner. The summoner acts as if he does not care about the Friar telling a critical story of a summoner. In fact, he says that he will get even with the friar. The host puts an end to the squabble and tells the friar to tell his tale. 

                                                                           The Tale:

The tale opens about an Archdeacon that vigorously punished people for their sins. In fact, the Archdeacon even punished those who did not tithe faithfully. Well, it turns out that this Archdeacon also had a crooked summoner that assisted him. Indeed, Chaucer seems to allude to the summoner being worse than his master. The summoner is essentially a thief. 

In the tale, the summoner consults with the devil. He does this while planning on when he will prey on an old widow. He and the devil converse for a while and the devil speaks of his dark magician work. The devil describes how he makes use of other bodies, even dead ones, for him to enter and deceive. After playing a trick on a man in town with the devil's help, the summoner turns his attention again on the old woman. 

Chaucer describes the old woman through the words of the summoner as one that would rather die than giver money. The summoner threatens the woman with excommunication if she does not come out of her house. The old woman cries for charity as he demands her money or her excommunication. Despite lies from the summoner and the devil to coerce her into answering the door to them, the old woman never lets them in. Afterwards, the devil says he will take the summoner down with him into hell. Even the crooked friar that tells the tale, feels pity on what came for the summoner in his eternal damnation. The friar ends the tale invoking all of us to pray that God deliver us from the great torments of hell: 

Thogh that I mighte a thousand winter telle, 

The peyne of thilke cursed hous of helle. 

                                                                     Final Thoughts: 

The Friar's Tale may not be the most fascinating of The Canterbury Tales but it leaves us with one of the most important messages of all of them: the devil is out for our souls. This story also reflects the high abuse of power that was growing at an alarming rate in the Medieval Roman Catholic Church. All Christians, even Protestants, should recognize though how easy it is for any false teachers to arise in any church and coerce others into false doctrine. Ultimately, The Friar's Tale is a reminder that the wicked will pay for their evil in the pit that awaits them (Isaiah 24: 17). 

Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. -Proverbs 11: 21