The Canterbury Tales/YMMV: Difference between revisions

* [[Alternative Character Interpretation]]: Chaucer has been the subject of intense study over a very long period, so as you might expect, there are many. For example:

** The Prioress used to be thought of as the target of fairly light mockery, but in part due to the violently anti-Semitic tale she tells, modern critics have found evidence of a more condemnatory intent. This may well, however, be a case of [[Values Dissonance]].

*** Some indication of the factitiousness of Jones's theory may be grasped by his reference to [[The Teutonic Knights]]' "Crusade" in Prussia as having attracted a great deal of criticism, thus discrediting the Knight, who had fought there. Though the Teutonic Knights' Polish enemies ''had'' denounced the Prussian campaign, it is highly unlikely that Chaucer would have endorsed their opinion, even indirectly, since his own [[wikipedia:John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster|patron]] (and in-law)'s son had "reysed" in Prussia, and was proud of the accomplishment -- even after coming to the throne as [[wikipedia:Henry IV of England|King Henry IV]].

** From the opposite ideological angle, while "The Franklin's Tale" comes across to a modern audience as a positive argument for equality and respect in marriage, some have argued that Chaucer intended these features to represent ''a bad marriage''. The franklin is compared to Epicurus in terms of being something of a glutton, and at the time the philosopher was also known as representing evil atheistic sentiments, but he still wins his argument with the Nun's Priest and the Wife of Bath.

* [[Anvilicious]]

* [[Designated Hero]]: Several times. We feel compelled to mention the knight of "The Wife of Bath's Tale", who starts out his story by ''raping an elf-maiden''.

* [[Harsher in Hindsight]]: The Prioress cannot abide cruelty to animals -- nor can she abide a ''lack'' of cruelty to Jews. [[Adolf Hitler|Hmmm]]...

** Even back then, there was probably an implication that she had a major case of [[Moral Myopia]] (even if the anti-Semitism would be condoned). Some scholars have noted that it was common when writing of virtuous characters to start with good manners and love of animals and then move into their charity toward the poor. Chaucer makes you expect that he'll start talking about her charity, but he doesn't -- it's pretty clear she's nicer to animals than people.