The Miller's Tale
The Miller's Tale is one of the most famous stories from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories written in the late 14th century during the time of the Middle English period. As the second tale in the collection, it is narrated by a character known as the Miller, who is described in the General Prologue as a strong, bawdy man who enjoys wrestling and boasts a somewhat unruly demeanor.
Context and Structure
The tale takes place immediately following the high-minded and courtly "The Knight's Tale," in stark contrast to its predecessor. Chaucer uses the Miller and his tale as an opportunity to delve into the comedic and often vulgar aspects of human behavior, thus showcasing the wide range of stories found in The Canterbury Tales.
The structure of The Miller's Tale follows a fabliau format—a short metrical tale often characterized by humorous and sometimes obscene themes. The Miller, having indulged himself in alcohol, prefaces his tale by warning the company of pilgrims that he is quite drunk and cannot be held accountable for the story's content.
Plot Summary
The Miller's Tale revolves around a love triangle involving a carpenter, his much younger wife, and a cunning clerk. The carpenter, named John, is depicted as a gullible and possessive husband. His wife, Alisoun, is beautiful and flirtatious, attracting the attention of the clerk, Nicholas.
Nicholas devises a plan to spend a night with Alisoun by convincing John of an impending flood, akin to that of Noah's Ark. He persuades John to hang three tubs from the ceiling as a means of escape, allowing Nicholas and Alisoun to spend the night together without interruption. The plot thickens when another admirer, Absolon—a parish clerk—also vies for Alisoun's affection. The tale unfolds with a series of comedic and risqué events, culminating in a memorable conclusion that leaves all but the carpenter fooled and humiliated.
Themes and Analysis
The themes of The Miller's Tale are manifold, including deception, the folly of jealousy, and the subversion of social norms. Chaucer uses the tale to highlight the absurdity of rigid class distinctions and the often farcical nature of romantic pursuits. The tale also serves as a direct response to and mockery of the Reeve, another pilgrim, leading to The Reeve's Tale which follows as a rebuttal within the narrative.
Chaucer's use of bawdy humor and vivid characterization in The Miller's Tale showcases his mastery of storytelling, as well as his ability to blend different genres and tones within his work.