What Moral Lesson Do You Find in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale?”

Answer

What moral lesson do you find in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale?”

Moral lessons are the beliefs and ethical codes that help us differentiate between right and wrong societal actions. As the best fable, “The Nun Priest’s Tale” possesses numerous moral lessons. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) masterfully weaves the story centering the vaniest cock and a cunning fox. This 626-line-long mock epic poem exhibits some animal characters with human qualities to scatter the bright light of morality to us. Here is a list of moral learning we find in the poem. 

Never Trust in Flattery: Flattery means excessive and unnecessary praise or compliments given to someone to get something illegal. In history, Kings, Queens, and political and religious leaders are flattered, but here Chanticleer, the proud cock is entrapped by the flattery of the deceitful fox. The cunning fox praises his voice and requests to crow before him. The cock blindly and foolishly accepts the request. Closing his eyes, he is grasped by the fox when he starts crowing. 

Calamity Comes from Overconfidence: Overconfidence is a state of mind when someone shows too much confidence in a particular matter. In “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”, the arrogant cock is overconfident. He considers himself as the King of his territory. This arrogance and pride finally cause Chanticleer’s collapse in his ability to avoid danger. Chanticleer’s downfall alerts us against the dangers of overvaluing oneself. A quotation is to follow to know his boastful nature.

 For he that wynketh, whan he sholde see, 

Al wilfully, God lat him nevere thee!

The Frivolity of Believing Flattery: Creatures having human quality become pleased hearing false praises. Chanticleer is no exception. Pertelote’s encouragement befools him. When he expresses his dream to Pertelote, she chides him. Besides, she encourages him to disregard his prophetic dreams, which finally brings him downfall. It is a cautionary story against the damaging effects of flattery and blind trust. 

Have ye no mannes herte, and han a berd?

Allas! And konne ye been agast of swevenys?

In these lines, Pertelote tells Chanticleer that he is a coward and heartless husband. He has no courage. Even he is scared of false dreams. Chanticleer becomes agitated and changes his mind. 

Fortune is Unpredictable: What will happen tomorrow? None can say today. Though Chanticleer is manipulated by his wife to disbelieve his dream, he adheres to the principles regarding the significance of the dream. He attempts to avoid his predicted fate but ultimately falls victim to the fox’s cunning. This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of fate.

Value of Wisdom and Experience: At the beginning of the Tale, we see a woman of advanced age. She keeps a flock of birds. Among them, her noble possession is the cock Chanticleer. Chanticleer is the king with another seven hens. The woman nourishes them cordially. This story helps us to understand that keeping possession is not a matter of age. Through the widow’s character, Chaucer implies that wisdom and experience often surpass youth and physical strength.

Sensually Pleasing Words Destroy Dignity: “Mulier es hominus confusio” is a Latin phrase meaning “Woman is the ruin of man.” But Chanticleer defines this as “woman is man’s joy and all his bliss” to please his wife. His wife had chided him earlier for his fear of bad dreams. So, he falsely interprets the quotation to get relief from her rebukes. Besides, he is pleased with the fox’s false praises and starts singing, closing his eyes, and is captured. 

In conclusion, Chaucer’s “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” involves multifaceted moral learning. This story suggests not to be flattered. We can learn the value of wisdom and experience from the poem. Chaucer skillfully incorporates these moral lessons in this poem through a captivating narrative.