What Mock-Heroic Elements Do You Find in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale?”

Answer

What mock-heroic elements do you find in ‘The Nun’s Priest’s Tale’? [2021, 2019] ✪✪✪

Or. Estimate ‘The Nun’s Priest’s Tale’ as a mock-heroic poem. [2017]

Or, How does Chaucer employ the mock-heroic technique in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”? [2015]

A mock-heroic poem means a poem where a small or common subject is told in the grand style of an epic. It uses the language of heroes for foolish or small events. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” uses this style beautifully. The story of a cock, a hen, and a fox is told like a great battle of heroes and kings.

Elevated Language: Chaucer tells a simple yard story in a high and serious style. The poor widow lives in a small cottage but the tale is written like “The Iliad”. Chauntecleer, the cock, is praised like a mighty king. His voice is so sweet. His comb is, 

“Redder than the fyn coral.” 

(Redder than the fine coral.)

His bright feathers are compared to gold. Again, Chauntecleer adores Pertelote and calls her,

“Madame Pertelote, my worldes blis.” 

(Madame Pertelote, my world’s bliss.)

When Chauntecleer argues with Pertelote about his dream, he quotes great names like Cato, Daniel, and Joseph. Chaucer uses Latin and moral words like a learned scholar. The fight between a cock and a fox is told in the style of a heroic battle. This makes the tale comic and mock-heroic.

Satirical Commentary: Chaucer uses this tale to mock human weakness through animal characters. Chauntecleer stands for a proud man who believes in flattery. The fox, Daun Russell, stands for false friends and clever deceivers. The fox praises him, saying, 

“For trewely, ye have as myrie a stevene.”

(For truly, you have as merry a voice.)

Then, the cock forgets his dream and danger. Through this, Chaucer satirizes foolish pride and false praise in court life. Even the learned talk