Themes and Moral
Competition
"The Miller's Tale" portrays one of the most classic competitions in literature: the love triangle in which two men compete for the affections of one woman. The woman is the "prize" to be won, which in "The Miller's Tale" accords with a characterization of Alisoun that objectifies her. Yet something interesting happens to this competition by the end of "The Miller's Tale.” One example of competition in this tale is when Chaucer describes Absolon and Nicholas's encounterment. He says, " 'Speak, pretty bird, I know not where thou art! / This nicholas at once let fly a fart" (105). Absolon begins to view himself in competition with her, rather than with Nicholas. Another example of competition is when Chaucer says, "But Absolon, who didnt give a bean / For all his joking, offered no debate" (104). Absolon didnt want to compete anymore with Nicholas and basically gives up on his love for Alisoun.
Lies and Deceit
During the middle of the tale, one incident that occurs is that Alisoun cheats on John. Alisoun tricks Absolon into believing she's going to give him a kiss. Afterwards, Absolon tells Alisoun all he wants is a kiss. One example of when Alisoun is unfaithful to John is when Chaucer says, "That in the end she promised him she would, / Swearing she'd love him, with a solemn promise"(91). In the most elaborate ruse in "The Miller's Tale," Nicholas and Alisoun convince John that a flood is coming and he'd better spend the night hanging from his rafters in a tub. Another example of deceit is when Chaucer says, "His wits so much to trick a carpenter.' / And so they both agreed to it, and swore" (91). Chaucer describes the talk between Nicholas and Alisoun and how they plan to trick John, they loyal husband. All of the lies and deceit in "The Miller's Tale" happen because somebody wants sex, raising the question of whether it's even possible to come by sex honestly. The only character who doesn't deceive anyone John, the carpenter, who is also the character most lied to and deceived.
Moral
The moral of this tale is that people do not get what they deserve. John is a kind-hearted, if rather stupid, man who cherishes his wife and is in awe of Nicholas' learning, and he winds up a laughing-stock with a broken arm. Absalon is a bit silly in putting Alisoun on a pedestal, but only an insensitive person could find the way she lets him down funny. Alisoun does not feel any feeling of unfaithfulness when cheating on her husband John.
"The Miller's Tale" portrays one of the most classic competitions in literature: the love triangle in which two men compete for the affections of one woman. The woman is the "prize" to be won, which in "The Miller's Tale" accords with a characterization of Alisoun that objectifies her. Yet something interesting happens to this competition by the end of "The Miller's Tale.” One example of competition in this tale is when Chaucer describes Absolon and Nicholas's encounterment. He says, " 'Speak, pretty bird, I know not where thou art! / This nicholas at once let fly a fart" (105). Absolon begins to view himself in competition with her, rather than with Nicholas. Another example of competition is when Chaucer says, "But Absolon, who didnt give a bean / For all his joking, offered no debate" (104). Absolon didnt want to compete anymore with Nicholas and basically gives up on his love for Alisoun.
Lies and Deceit
During the middle of the tale, one incident that occurs is that Alisoun cheats on John. Alisoun tricks Absolon into believing she's going to give him a kiss. Afterwards, Absolon tells Alisoun all he wants is a kiss. One example of when Alisoun is unfaithful to John is when Chaucer says, "That in the end she promised him she would, / Swearing she'd love him, with a solemn promise"(91). In the most elaborate ruse in "The Miller's Tale," Nicholas and Alisoun convince John that a flood is coming and he'd better spend the night hanging from his rafters in a tub. Another example of deceit is when Chaucer says, "His wits so much to trick a carpenter.' / And so they both agreed to it, and swore" (91). Chaucer describes the talk between Nicholas and Alisoun and how they plan to trick John, they loyal husband. All of the lies and deceit in "The Miller's Tale" happen because somebody wants sex, raising the question of whether it's even possible to come by sex honestly. The only character who doesn't deceive anyone John, the carpenter, who is also the character most lied to and deceived.
Moral
The moral of this tale is that people do not get what they deserve. John is a kind-hearted, if rather stupid, man who cherishes his wife and is in awe of Nicholas' learning, and he winds up a laughing-stock with a broken arm. Absalon is a bit silly in putting Alisoun on a pedestal, but only an insensitive person could find the way she lets him down funny. Alisoun does not feel any feeling of unfaithfulness when cheating on her husband John.