Courtesy through Satire :: essays research papers

In his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer fully explicates the cultural standard known as courtesy by means of satire. In the fourteenth century, courtesy embodied sophistication and an education in English international culture. The legends of chivalric knights, conversing in the language of imposing lamb, matured during this later(prenominal) medieval period. Chaucer himself matured in the Kings Court, as is revealed in his cultural status, just now he also retained an anecdotal humor about courtesy. One must(prenominal) only peruse his Tales to discern these sentiments, for Chaucers view of courtesy can seem shocking and, all together, obscene at times, its the similarity of the differences that drop Chaucers tales superior. An example of this can be seen through Nicholas attempt at courting Alison versus Arcita and Palamons endeavors at courting Emily. Nicholas anxious and lewd behavior, in connection with his explicit sexual connotation, demonstrates Chaucers more farcical side where as, the manner in which Arcita and Palamon court Emily can seem more satirical. In the Millers Tale, Chaucer juxtaposes courtly love with animalistic lust, while in the Knights tale, the subject of chivalry is held with much higher regard, and used as a florid, glorious attribute. These numerous references appropriate the reader with a remarkably rich image of the culture and class structure of late fourteenth century England.     In the Millers Tale, Chaucer blatantly mocks courtesy and courtly love in Nicholas exchange with Alison          Now sire, and eft sire, so bifel the cas          That on a day this hende Nicholas          Fil with this yonge wyf to rage and pleye,          Whil that hir housbonde was at Oseneye,          As clerkes ben ful subtile a nd ful queynte          And prively he caughte hire by the queynte,          And seyde, "Ywis, but if ich have my wille,          For deerne love of thee, lemman, I spille."          And heeld hire harde by the haunchebones,          And seyde, "Lemman, love me al atones,          Or I wol dyen, also God me save"           And she sproong as a colt dooth in the trave,          And with hir heed she wryed faste awey,          And seyed, I wol nat kisse thee, by my fey          Why, lat be quod she. Lat be, Nicholas,          Or I wol cr ie out, harrow and allas          Do wey youre handes, for youre curteisye (3271-87)     Quite literally, Nicholas caught Alison by the crotch to delimitate her near to him, and then held her there by her haunches, or rear end. Standing alone, that image provides an element of base humor, but when that event is coupled with Nicholas words, a dramatically ironic, and altogether funny, scene arises.