How did Pertelote scold Chaunticleer for his cowardice?

Answer

How did Pertelote scold Chaunticleer for his cowardice? [2020, 2018, 2016, 2015] ✪✪✪

In “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale,” Chaucer (1340-1400) shows the funny quarrel between Chauntecleer (the cock) and Pertelote (the hen). They are inside the widow’s small farmyard beside a green grove. When Chauntecleer tells his fearful dream, Pertelote laughs and scolds him for being a coward.

Pertelote Calls Chauntecleer a Coward: One morning, Chauntecleer wakes up in fear. She dreams of a red and yellow beast that wants to kill him. When he groans, Pertelote gets angry. She calls him weak and foolish. She says,

“I kan nat love a coward.”

(I can not love a coward.)

She mocks him for being afraid of a dream. Pertelote tells him no woman can love a coward. She says every wife wants a brave husband. Her harsh words hurt Chauntecleer’s pride deeply.

Pertelote Gives a Medical Reason: Pertelote does not believe in dreams. She tells Chauntecleer that his fear comes from too much heat and food. She speaks like a doctor. She advises him to take herbs and laxatives from the yard. She says,

“Taak som laxatyf.”

(Take some laxative.)

Her scientific tone makes the scene funny because a hen is giving medical advice like a scholar.

Pertelote Laughs at Dreams: At the end of her speech, Pertelote proudly says that dreams are meaningless. She quotes wise men like Cato. She says no one should fear dreams. She asks Chauntecleer to be merry and forget his foolish fear. She wants him to act bold again. Her words make him ignore his warning, and later he falls into the fox’s trap. Chaucer uses her scolding to show how pride and false reason can lead to danger.

Pertelote’s scolding is proud and funny. She mocks Chauntecleer’s fear, gives wrong advice, and makes him ignore the truth. Through her sharp words, Chaucer shows that foolish confidence can bring trouble