Chaucer’s “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is one of the stories in “The Canterbury Tales” and stands out for its brilliant handling of the fable genre.
This tale is a beast fable, which is a short story that typically features animals with human traits and conveys a moral lesson. Here, Chaucer’s handling of the fable is multifaceted, blending humor, satire, and philosophical reflection. Let’s discuss some key aspects of how Chaucer handles the fable in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale.”
Use of Beast Fable Tradition
Animals with Human Characteristics:
Chaucer uses animals as his main characters, attributing human traits to them. The protagonist, Chanticleer, is a rooster with exceptional intelligence, vanity, and a complex personality. His wife, Pertelote, is equally characterized with human qualities, such as giving medical advice and engaging in a marital dispute. This anthropomorphism is a hallmark of fables, allowing Chaucer to explore human behaviors and social norms through the actions and interactions of animals.
Moral Lessons:
The tale is rich in moral lessons, which is another essential feature of fables. The main moral is a warning against falling prey to flattery, as exemplified by Chanticleer’s capture by the fox, Russell, due to his vanity and pride. Another lesson is the importance of prudence and caution, as Chanticleer’s initial dream predicts the danger that later befalls him, highlighting the significance of heeding warnings.
Satirical Elements
Mock-Epic Style:
Chaucer employs a mock-epic style in the tale, elevating the story of barnyard animals to epic proportions. The grandiose language used to describe Chanticleer and his actions, as well as the dramatic escape from the fox, parodies the high style of classical epics. This humorous approach both entertains and subtly critiques the pretensions of epic storytelling.
Social Satire:
Through the characters and their actions, Chaucer satirizes various aspects of human society. Chanticleer’s pride and susceptibility to flattery mirror human weaknesses. Pertelote’s practical but misguided advice on ignoring dreams and using herbal remedies reflects the limitations of medieval medical knowledge. The Nun’s Priest himself, who tells the tale, may be seen as an example of the clergy’s attempt to provide moral guidance through simple and engaging stories.
Philosophical and Literary Reflections
Dreams and Interpretation:
A significant portion of the tale is devoted to a discussion on the nature of dreams, reflecting medieval debates on their significance. Chanticleer believes in the prophetic nature of dreams, citing various classical and biblical references, while Pertelote dismisses them as meaningless. This debate adds a layer of intellectual depth to the fable, showcasing Chaucer’s engagement with contemporary philosophical thought.
Intertextuality:
Chaucer weaves in numerous references to classical literature, the Bible, and other sources, enriching the text and providing a learned backdrop to the seemingly simple fable. For instance, Chanticleer’s references to Cicero and Cato add a scholarly dimension, demonstrating Chaucer’s mastery of integrating different literary traditions.
Structure and Narrative Technique
Frame Narrative:
“The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is embedded within the larger frame narrative of “The Canterbury Tales.” This structure allows Chaucer to provide commentary on the teller, the Nun’s Priest, and his position within the pilgrimage. The tale can be seen as reflecting the Nun’s Priest’s own experiences and personality, adding another layer to the storytelling.
Blending of Genres:
Chaucer skillfully blends the fable genre with elements of romance, tragedy, and comedy. The tale includes romantic elements in the depiction of Chanticleer and Pertelote’s relationship, tragic elements in the foreboding dream and capture by the fox, and comedic elements throughout, particularly in the resolution. This blending showcases Chaucer’s versatility as a writer and his ability to transcend genre conventions.
Conclusion
Chaucer’s handling of the fable in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is marked by his sophisticated use of anthropomorphism, satire, moral instruction, and philosophical reflection. By infusing the tale with humor and intertextual references, Chaucer not only entertains but also prompts readers to reflect on human nature, societal norms, and literary traditions. The result is a richly layered narrative that exemplifies Chaucer’s literary skill and his deep engagement with the world of ideas.