Justify “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” as a beast fable.

Answer

Justify the Nun’s Priest’s Tale as a beast fable. [2020, 2018] ✪✪✪

Or, What is a beast fable? Write a note on The Nun’s Priest’s Tale as a beast fable. [2016]

A beast fable is a short story in which animals talk and act like humans to teach a moral truth. Geoffrey Chaucer’s (1340-1400) “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is one of the finest examples of this kind. It tells the story of Chauntecleer the cock, Pertelote the hen, and the sly fox in a poor widow’s farmyard. Through them, Chaucer gives both fun and wisdom.

Animal Characters: A beast fable always shows animals as if they were people. In this tale, the proud rooster Chauntecleer, his loving wife Pertelote, and the cunning fox all talk and behave like humans. Chauntecleer discusses dreams like a philosopher. Chauntecleer adores Pertelote and calls her,

“Madame Pertelote, my worldes blis.” 

(Madame Pertelote, my world’s bliss.)

Pertelote speaks like a learned lady.  When Chauntecleer becomes afraid of his dream, she calls him,

“I kan nat love a coward.”

(I can not love a coward.)

Then she gives him medical advice and speaks of laxatives. She says,

“Taak som laxatyf.”

(Take some laxative.)

The fox flatters and tricks like a clever courtier. These animals act wiser and prouder than real men. So, Chaucer gives them full human minds and voices.

Satire and Humor: The Nun’s Priest’s Tale is full of laughter and gentle satire. Chaucer uses the simple farmyard scene to make fun of human pride and foolishness. Chauntecleer feels proud of his voice and beauty, while the fox tricks him with smooth and flattering words. Chaucer says,

“His coomb was redder than the fyn coral.”

( His comb was redder than the fine coral.)

The story shows how easily people are fooled by praise and lose everything. Even the