Summary: The monk begins with a somber but didactic tone, he begins to list religious symbols and how they fell into adversity, without the possibility of getting out (ex. Lucifer, Adam). The monk then goes on to teach another lesson, the idea that woman should be kept in the dark or lest she'll betray you, this is indicated through the story of Samson and slightly by the story of Hercules. The monk always begins by broadcasting and showcasing the men, raising them on a pedestal and naming them glorious, then he goes on to show how they fall. The motley of stories also depicts that man should fear God, or suffer his wrath. Zenobia is the first woman mentioned in the monk's tale, she is described as perfection, strong and beautiful, striking fear in any man's heart, undefeatable. Eventually, Zenobia is defeated, and with her two sons is chained and forced to labor, the end of her powerful reign has come. Count Ugolino of Pisa, his story serves to show how one man and one lie can ruin another's life, Count was incarcerated with his 3 kids (under 5 years) and forced to die of starvation, his kids telling him to eat their flesh as he had once given life to them, a story about lies and sacrifice. The final sections of the tale speak of tyrannical leaders who got what they deserve, people becoming rebellious and attacking, or simply Fortune taking its toll (ex. Nero, Holofernes, King Antiochus).
1. Explain the central character of the tale by analyzing five (5) examples of indirect characterization.
The central character in this tale is Fortune (Destiny or God). Fortune is characterized as patient but wrathful, "she" will allow things to slide to a certain extent, but will lay down her hand at some point.(C) When she lays down her wrath she will take all you have, all you don't deserve, all you got by unscrupulous means. (A/B) Fortune isn't completely wrathful, she will also lead you to opportunities, places where you will gain some advantage, but she will not stop the power or money from going to your head, she will allot you opportunities, but will not stop your self-destruction. (D/E)
- A. "Whenever Fortune chooses to forsake,
She takes away one's reign, one's wealth also,
And friends as well, though they be high or low." - B. "So Fortune's wheel can govern what shall be
And out of gladness bring mankind to sorrow." - C. "Now it befell that Fortune wished no longer
To suffer Nero's pride, such haughtiness;
For although he was strong, she was the stronger." - D. "In his own time, of greater reputation,
Not one more arrogant in his high station,
Than Holofernes. Fortune kissed him to it
With wantonness, led him through every nation,
Until he lost his head before he knew it." - E. "Fortune had so ensconced him in his pride
That truly he believed he might attain
The very stars that shone on every side,"
2. What is Chaucer's purpose in telling this character's tale? Is he satirizing society, giving the voiceless a voice, or trying to accomplish a different goal? [Support your argument with textual evidence.]
Chaucer tells this tale as to assert that the monk is somewhat a hypocrite. Within his story, the Monk attempts to assume a didactic tale, talking about the evils of disobeying God, of letting the world and its materialistic ideals go to your head, and even that of lying, yet he himself isn't the idealist monk. Chaucer uses this tale to satirize a societal role, that being the role of a religious man.
- "Lo, Adam in the field of Damascene:
By God's own finger created was he
And not conceived by sperm of man unclean.
He ruled all Paradise, except one tree.
No man on earth has held such high degree
Since Adam, who, for his misgovernance,
Was driven from his high prosperity
To labor and to hell and to mischance. - "This king of kings was arrogant and vain;
He thought that God who sits in majesty
Would never take from him his great domain.
But he lost that dominion suddenly,
And after like a beast he came to be" - "The reason that he'd been condemned to die
Was the bishop of Pisa (in that day
Ruggieri), who had told of him a lie;
The people then rose up against his sway
And had him put in prison, in the way
That you have heard. The food and drink he had
Was not at all sufficient, safe to say;
What little bit he had was poor and bad."
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