Bring Out The Blend of Serious and Comic Elements in “The Nun’s Priest Tale.”
The Nun's Priest's Tale is a notable literary work by Geoffrey Chaucer. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Nun's Priest's Tale.
Answer
Bring out the blend of serious and comic elements in “The Nun’s Priest Tale.”
The blend of serious and comic elements aims to attack the societal immoral through comic and humorous tales or incidents. The famous mock-heroic epic “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” from the Middle English period (1066-1500) perfectly combines these two literary elements. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400), the father of English literature, masterfully employs these elements to uphold contemporary society. In this discussion, we will know how he has blended the serious and comic elements.
Comical Elements
Comical Description of Chaunticleer: The narrator vividly describes Chaunticleer. This description is comical and makes you laugh. The narrator describes Chaunticleer in such a way it seems that Chaunticleer is an epic hero. Chaucer describes Chaunticleer’s physical appearance. Chaunticleer’s comb was redder than fine coral, his black bill shone like a jet, his enthusiasm was whiter than the lily, his legs and toes were blue, and his colour was like burnished gold. Chaucer rightly remarks about Chaunticleer,
His coomb was redder than the fyn coral
And betailled as it were a castle wal.
Comical Description of Pertelote: Chaucer gives Pertelote a romantic name, that is Dame Pertelote. This name is used only for a pretty and attractive lady. Comparing the beauty of a hen with a beautiful lady and admiring the hen is totally a comic element. In the Nun’s Priest’s Tale among the seven hens, Pertelote is Chaunticleer’s favorite wife for her ideal beauty. Chaunticleer says,
Madame Pertelote, so have I blis,
Of o thyng God hath sent me large grace;
For whan I se the beautee of youre face.
The Comical Dream Debate: Chanticleer and Lady Pertelote began to debate about the significance of dreams. This debate is highly comical. Pertelote expresses that she desires a husband who will be wise, generous, trustworthy, and brave, but not a coward like Chaunticleer. Here, she proves Chaunticleer a fool for his dreamUnlock this study guide now