How did the fox flatter the cock and seize him?

Answer

How did the fox flatter the cock and seize him? [2018]

Or, How did the fox flatter the cock? [2016] ✪✪✪

Chaucer’s (1340-1400) “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is a story full of wit and wisdom. In a poor widow’s farm near a green grove, the proud cock Chauntecleer meets a cunning fox named Daun Russell. His clever flattery almost costs the cock his life.

The Fox Appears in the Widow’s Yard: The sly fox Daun Russell secretly comes from the grove into the widow’s small yard. Here, Chauntecleer lives with Pertelote. He hides among the cabbage leaves. He waits for his chance. Chaucer says, 

“A col-fox, ful of sly iniquitee.”

(A fox, full of sly iniquity.)

The fox watches quietly until Chauntecleer walks proudly in the sunshine. This begins the dangerous meeting between pride and deceit in the peaceful farmyard.

The Fox Flatters the Cock’s Pride: When Chauntecleer sees the fox, he becomes afraid. But the fox speaks gently and praises him. He calls him “Gentil sire”. He says he has come only to hear his sweet voice. He adds that Chauntecleer sings more beautifully than any angel. He praises his voice in such a way,

“As any aungel hath that is in hevene.”

(As has any angel that is in heaven.)

The fox also says his father and mother once visited his house, and his father sang just like him. This false praise fills Chauntecleer with pride. 

The Fox Seizes the Cock: To please the fox, Chauntecleer closes his eyes, stretches his neck, and begins to crow loudly. At that moment, Daun Russell suddenly jumps and catches him by the throat. The fox runs toward the woods with the cock in his mouth. Thus, through flattery and pride, the clever fox traps the foolish bird.

In this short but wise tale, Chaucer shows how pride makes one blind. The fox’s flattery becomes a weapon, and